ZS: How would you describe the process of bolstering your lineup for 2019-2020 with Amir Nesbitt and how do you assess his all around game and what he has to offer to Massanutten?
CM: It’s crazy because we watched him last year and we actually played against him in an exhibition game last year, one in which he had about 20 points in the first half against us. That caught our attention and we continued to follow up on him and keep tabs on his production throughout. With the coaching change (at Virginia Academy) occurring, as soon as we found out he wasn’t going back we followed up. He was playing for the Virgin Islands national team at the time.
I think he plays at a really good pace, he can score the ball at three levels. He can obviously shoot it, he’s pretty good at the middle game. He’s got good floaters and of course he can get to the rim which obviously allows him to get to the free throw line.
I would say as of right now, he’s a high major. A lot of schools are recruiting him right now. He took an unofficial visit to Baylor and North Texas. VCU has done some work with him, they’ve offered.
ZS: What type of role do you envision for (Nesbitt) within your system next season?
CM: I think he’ll get the chance to play with the ball in his hands a lot for us, work on his playmaking ability. He can score it in bunches. All of this will continue to develop him and prepare him for the college game.
ZS: How do you dissect and analyze the advantages of having three already signed guys and a core that’s led this team throughout the recent season? What unique threats do each of these guys pose, night in and night out?
CM: I think (N.C. State bound) Dereon Seabron, with his size and playmaking ability, makes it tough for teams to corral him. Having a guy like Jarron McCallister (VCU) on one wing, and then you’ve got Brandon Suggs (East Carolina) on the other wing, it creates a real triumvirate. They are averaging 50 points a game between the three of them. I would say that guard play is a key component in how we’ve fared.
Guard play is essential in any level of basketball, but especially in prep school. Those three, they are all two-way players. They can guard multiple positions. I think another important guy is Jeff Armstrong, who has been inserted in the starting lineup. We won 15 straight games (to close out the regular season) since he started. He won a state title at Plainview in Alabama last year. He’s the ultimate glue guy–he always makes the right basketball play. He can really knock down open shots.
ZS: Favorite Frank Mason memories?
CM: The first was when we were playing against Kuran Iverson, who was about 6-foot-9 at the time (while at Fishburne Military Academy). Frank face-guarded him the entire second half. The second was probably against Rise Academy with Kyle Kuzma. He caught an inbounds lob and threw down one of the craziest dunks I’ve seen.
ZS: You coached Tyson Jolly at Elev8 and saw his competitive fire and ability to take over games. Obviously after transferring out of Baylor, he’s put up extravagant numbers at Trinity Valley (CC). I mean we’re talking 22.5 PPG (51.2% FG), 4.1 assists, and 12.6 rebounds–and that’s from a 6-foot-4 guard. What do you attribute this maniacal season he’s authored to?
CM: Tyson Jolly is just the ultimate winner and competitor. He works at a different speed than most kids do. He guards and rebounds like a 6-8 big. He has fought adversity his whole life and it drives him to prove others wrong. You can’t have enough Tyson Jolly’s in your program ever if you value winning.
