Earlier this summer the nations #1 player in the class of 2019 RJ Barrett enrolled at St. Marcellinus in Mississauga, Ontario.

After confirmation that RJ was attending high school in the 905 area, details emerged of Barrett playing with an expansion program called  REDA Spirit within St. Marcellinus.

October 9th 2014 on the road versus Bill Crothers Junior team, in his high school debut, Barrett put the rest of Canada on notice for the next four seasons.

2019 RJ Barrett

After trailing by 6 points entering the final frame, REDA Spirit earned it’s first win in the program’s existence with a 73-60 comeback victory over Bill Crothers. Note that the Crothers were silver medalists in 2014 at the Junior boys provincial championships but this was their first game of the year and preparations for 2014-15 have been derailed by a bulk of the roster who were tied up with football.

Barrett didn’t disappoint though, especially in the fourth quarter where he dropped 16 points en-route to 28 total on the night including double digit rebounds and 6 blocks along the way,

“He has the ability, you can see it when the game gets close he locks it in and takes over himself. He’s a natural leader like that” Spirit head coach Terry Upshaw said.

“Today when we made a run and the push happened he made shots, and made shots, and made shots… He kept going and going and that’s kind of why we took off on them.”

GAME SUMMARY

1Q

REDA Spirit started off sluggish. Full credit to Bill Crothers who smaller in size spaced out the larger Spirit squad. Penetrating the middle well and capitalizing on kick outs the Colts closed the first frame off with a 11-1 run and were on top with a 18-17 lead. Eric Beckett had 12 in the quarter for Bill Crothers.

2Q

Crothers extended there lead with the same tactics in the second frame and held a 38-32 lead at half time after a Mykia McIntosh three pointer buzzer beater that sent the full house of Colts fans in a frenzy. McIntosh would finish with 10 points in the game.

3Q

A Eric Beckett floater midway through the third frame gave Crothers Colts their largest lead of the game at 47-34. A smooth operator Beckett was held scoreless the rest of the way but finished with a Colts team high 17 on the night. While RJ Barrett was held to only two third quarter points, coming off the bench was Josh Noten who held down the fort for REDA defensively and finished with five in the frame. At the end of three Colts led 53-47.

4Q

RJ Barrett time. Barrett simply took over by demonstrating his all around skill set in dominating fashion. Began the frame with two straight baskets, nailed jumpers, three balls, floaters, got to the charity stripe and then threw his own block party. His athleticism was on full display in a sequence where he swatted a shot attempt at one end then challenged the Colts best defender and arguably their most athletic piece Emmanuel Miller at the rim. If not for a foul it may have been the highlight of the year albeit it was only an October tilt. Avan Nava dropped 10 crucial points and 6’7 Jaden Bediako also chipped in with 8 points and 9 blocks in the win.

Final Score:
REDA Spirit 73 Bill Crothers Jr Colts 60

FREE THROWS

Not only did Barrett put Canada on notice so did the big man in the middle for REDA Spirit big fella Jaden Bediako.

Rebounds, keeps the ball over his head, plays hard on both ends and showed a willingness to get on the floor after it. Only 14 years old but already showing positive signs in terms of his strength and conditioning.

Arguably 6 foot 8 with shoes and word is he boasts a 7 foot 3 wing span. 8 points, double digit rebounds and 9 blocks on the night. America you have been warned!