University hits 22 3s, fifth in a game in Ohio lore, in rout of Cleveland JFK –

University coach Sean McDonnell was cautiously optimistic before the season opener with Cleveland JFK on Nov. 25 regarding his team’s outlook for 2022-2023.

“I think we can be pretty good,” McDonnell said. “We can really shoot it.”

McDonnell wasn’t kidding.

The Preppers knocked down 22 triples, the fifth-most in a game in Ohio according to OHSAA records, and their constant backcourt pressure on the Eagles led to steals and easy buckets, as University cruised, 90-37.

Half of those 3s came from sophomore Alec Congdon (18 points on six treys) and freshman Aditya Nalla (15 points on five). Freshman Deacon Nelson (10 points), junior Jonathan Diaz (12) and junior Justin Belcher (10) joined them in double figures.

Aditya Nalla deep 3 for University to close 1Q. End 1Q: @1890hoops 33 Cleveland JFK 14. The Eagles have turned it over 15 times so far pic.twitter.com/uo2xXs7V6y

— Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) November 25, 2022

“We just run the offense and try to get the best looks,” Nalla said. “Especially this game, we had a lot of open 3s.”

@1890hoops freshman Aditya Nalla, who was second leading scorer with 15 points on 5 3s, breaks down University’s 90-37 season opening win over Cleveland JFK pic.twitter.com/uu2Pr6oivQ

— Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) November 26, 2022

US forced 31 turnovers on the night and had 18 steals.

The Preppers’ propensity to get backcourt steals and convert at the hoop, combined with the stellar outside shooting, may have reminded some observers of a certain scarlet-and-gray clad team to the northeast.

Belcher, one of University’s more experienced players and a team captain, had eight steals before halftime and didn’t play in the second half after the Preppers accrued a 59-23 halftime lead.

PHOTOS: University-Cleveland JFK boys basketball, Nov. 25, 2022

“We actually ran our offense amazingly in this game,” Belcher said. “Having experience helped us. Everyone is used to playing together.”

Junior Justin Belcher, who had 10 points and 8 steals in the first half before sitting out the second half with his team ahead 59-23, discusses @1890hoops 90-37 win over Cleveland JFK pic.twitter.com/rjoQYI95TS

— Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) November 26, 2022

When the Preppers weren’t scoring quickly off turnovers, they ran their half-court sets like a well-oiled machine, as Belcher alluded.

JFK rallied to forge a 8-8 tie early on, but a 25-6 Preppers run made it 33-14 after one frame.

Seven different Preppers scored in the second quarter as University extended its lead to 59-23 at the break.

The second half was played with a running clock, and McDonnell emptied his bench.

“The offseason for basketball is incredibly long.” McDonnell said. “You wait nine months to play again, and this was a nice result for our guys.”

@1890hoops coach Sean McDonnell goes over the Preppers’ 90-37 season opening win over Cleveland JFK pic.twitter.com/UNONqvUSG3

— Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) November 26, 2022

McDonnell is looking for improvement after a six-win season last year, and the impressive opening win has his team going in the right direction.

“We try to mirror our offense with our defense,” McDonnell said. “We try to apply pressure at both ends of the floor. Our defensive pressure led to some easy baskets for us, which was nice.”

Nicholas Lucas led an inexperienced JFK team with 10 points. The Eagles will look to bounce back against Lake Ridge on Nov. 26.

“We’re young, so I know we’re going to take our bumps and bruises,” Cleveland JFK coach Jerrod Green said. “For a lot of them, it was their first game. We had some good runs and moments, but University had great shooters.”

Cleveland JFK coach Jerrod Green talks about the Eagles’ 90-37 season-opening loss to University pic.twitter.com/w0AIhh0DWw

— Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) November 25, 2022

University (1-0) will look to keep its early season momentum going with a trip to storied Berlin Hiland on Nov. 26.