About two months ago, Louis Bleechmore was visibly miserable and rendered immovable.
Relegated to the role of disgruntled spectator while nursing a nagging foot injury, such a situation was not at all what Bleechmore had envisioned for a heavily anticipated senior season.
The native of Sydney, Australia trains at Scotland Campus year round. He spent the most recent summer adding bulk and power and balance to his once raw 6-foot-6, 190-pound frame.
Having refined elements of his game such as his attacking and finishing and vertical explosiveness, this was projected to be a breakout season for the guard/forward. There was also a steadfast, day to day development of a killer instinct, one which paved the way for an insatiable thirst for momentum-bolstering shots.
And so this entire transformation process would ultimately allow Bleechmore to gain some ownership of a youth-laden high school team.
Bleechmore’s spirits, however, were suddenly dampened. The combination of a lost AAU season spent mostly on the bench and the freak injury left him with something to prove.
A sudden self-revelation, one which enabled Bleechmore to quickly snap out of the personal funk, soon took place. He realized an attitude change and the same mental moxie with which he enhanced his overall game this summer would turn everything around for the better.
Rather than sulk and deteriorate in a self loathing state of mind, the Australian vowed to make his impact known upon return.
Following an inconsistent string of games during the first semester, Bleechmore has flourished while subsequently flashing a high level Division-I skill set and a scoring acumen at all three levels. His elevation and ability to not only sky for rebounds but throw down emphatic in-traffic dunks has been a noticeable constant in his game.
This much was evident during Scotland’s wild 75-67 win over Mercersburg Prep Tuesday night.
Bleechmore scored 17 points, none bigger than a loud 3-pointer from the right wing and a ferocious, highlight reel worthy two-handed dunk during the waning moments of a dizzying second half.
All 17 of Bleechmore’s points would occur during the second half, with eight coming in the final 5:20. He was saddled with foul trouble throughout the first half.
“When I was injured, it was easy to just sit there and let the negative emotions pile up,” Bleechmore explained.
“I made sure I was still in the gym everyday, working. I would go out and form shoot, work on my jump shots so that I can come back still shooting consistently. I made it a point to get back to working on my explosiveness once I was fully healthy. I’m thrilled right now. It was a great team win. Especially with the production of Jo-Jo (Johannes Kirsippu). He really stepped it up in crunch time. G (Gerald Jarmon) was consistent despite not being 100 percent healthy, and Kayden (Stewart) played great defense.”
Quick to cite the team concept in summing up the victory, Bleechmore spoke of the togetherness of this vastly improved core. He touched heavily on how everyone has bought in and cranked up the energy levels, a necessity with 6-foot-7 Class of 2021 forward Aime Ciza out with an ankle injury and senior point guard Oli Jacquot suddenly nursing a dislocated shoulder.
Kirsippu, the Class of 2021 sharpshooter who scored 25 points during a heartbreaking OT loss to Kiski (PA.), scored a team-best 21 points. The top-ranked player in his class in Estonia, Kirsippu connected on four 3-pointers in succession as Scotland built a second half lead.
“He’s a very willing shooter, he knocks down shots in crunch time,” said Bleechmore of Kirsippu. “He always looks to get teammates involved. Tonight, he showed up and showed out. He got his teammates involved and helped lead us to an important victory in front of a packed crowd. It’s great to have him as a teammate.”
Scotland Campus head coach Blake Kingsley said Bleechmore’s mental toughness has been admirable.
“Louis has fought through so much adversity and overcome so much, he has really become the heart and soul of our team,” Kingsley explained.
“Johannes showed he’s an elite shooter off the catch and bounce and also an elite passer. He played so aggressively and it has paid off for us. He is usually the smartest player on the court and on both sides of the ball. As for Kayden Stewart, he continues to show he’s one of the best defenders on the east coast.”
There was nary a single trace of pain or discomfort or lingering frustration evident in Bleechmore on Tuesday night. He was greeted to a number of ecstatic teammates and members of the prep team, who swarmed him following his monstrous second half. In two months, agony turned into euphoria.
“Coach Blake (Kingsley) just told me to stay focused and let the game come to me and I knew I could impose my will,” Bleechmore said. “It feels great. Big things are coming.”
