City of Basketball Love

Konner Metz (@konner_metz)
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Deuce Ketner had no hesitation racing in transition with a clear path to the hoop late in Bonner-Prendergast’s win over Malvern Prep on Friday. He soared for a slam, an exclamation point on a day where he and teammate Nelson Lamizana looked to be an unstoppable tandem in certain moments.

Lamizana, a 6-foot-7 junior, stood unguarded as Ketner took the points and dunk for himself, a rarity during a game in which the two Friars seemed to have a knack for finding one another again and again.

It put Bonner up up seven with under a minute remaining, and gave the 6-6 Ketner a highlight-reel moment after Lamizana had two consecutive dunks earlier in the second quarter.

“I had my two dunks, so he had to get his one,” Lamizana said afterwards with a chuckle.

When Bonner’s two standout wings were not flying for jams, they were finding each other cutting to the basket, or snatching offensive rebounds and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.

Ketner, who finished with 17 points against Malvern, is a three-year veteran with the team, but he and Lamizana (15 pts), a transfer to Bonner from West Chester Henderson, are familiar with playing against one another from the AAU realm, Lamizana’s Philly Pride and Ketner’s K-Low Elite squads going head-to-head the last few summers. When the former came to Bonner after a short summer stint with Roman Catholic, there was already chemistry. 

“We kind of play alike, we feed off each other’s energy and stuff like that, so it makes the game a lot easier,” Lamizana said. “I know he got my back and I got his back.”

Despite playing similar brands of basketball, Ketner said there have been no issues or major adjustments he’s had to make. In fact, all he could think of were the benefits to playing with someone of Lamizana’s size – something he hasn’t had the luxury of in the past at Bonner.

“First off, it’s easier,” Ketner said. “He’s in the paint so I don’t have to box out two people. We’re guaranteed to get the rebound, offensively and defensively. So it’s been great playing with him.”

The chemistry peaked Friday at the Pete + Jameer Play-By-Play Classic, leading Bonner to a 62-57 win and a 7-0 record under first-year head coach Billy Cassidy. Malvern Prep (6-4), Bonner’s toughest test so far this season, struggled on both ends with the length and athleticism of guys like Ketner and Lamizana.

Aside from a standout 26 points from senior Andrew Phillips, Malvern Prep was stagnant offensively. Junior guard and Division I recruit Ryan Williams was quieter than normal with eight points.

But for Bonner, at least based on Friday, Lamizana is fitting right into the team’s offensive rhythm, particularly down low in the paint.

“The drive, pump fake, then [the defense] jumps, they help, drop down, throw it up [to Nelson],” Ketner said of the team’s routine when attacking. “We already know Nelson’s going to go get it. It’s just been easier for us since we know he’s going to go get it. He’s just been scoring the ball every single time.”

It certainly seemed that way, as Lamizana poured in 10 points during the first half, with Ketner leading the way with 12 second-half points. 

Two consecutive blocks by Ketner in the third quarter on the opposing Friars showcased the defensive edge Bonner sports with the two versatile big men.

Since arriving at Bonner-Prendie, Cassidy has had to work separately with both players on different areas. For Ketner, the focus immediately became his leadership role on a team full of impact newcomers: Lamizana, plus junior guards Reggie Selden Jr. (Bishop Eustace, N.J.) and Kevin Rucker Jr. (Chester). All four finished in double figures against Malvern, with Rucker Jr. (14 points) adding five rebounds and four assists plus a steal while Selden Jr. (11 points) chipped in three dimes and a steal.

“Deuce has matured as a leader since I’ve gotten here,” Cassidy said. “That was my first talk with him. He needs to take that step on being a leader, which he is. Getting him to fully commit to it every day, even if he has a bad play or if a shot doesn’t go in, he still needs to be able to lead the team, which he’s done tremendously.”

Meanwhile, for Lamizana, it’s been all about realizing his potential, surrounded in a new environment with new teammates. Cassidy immediately recognized his upbeat attitude the minute he came to Bonner.

“He’s a positive kid, he’s a happy kid, he’s fun to be around,” Cassidy said. “We tell him all the time, you got to work hard, that’s how you’re going to get better on the court. He’s starting to understand those things, so once he really locks in on that, the sky is the limit.”

The energetic head coach says both juniors can exert their physicality even more going forward, using their post skills and broad shoulders to power to the basket. Friday’s win was just the start of that, in his eyes.

And it was also just a glimpse of the dangerous wing duo, who have just as much off court synergy as they do on the hardwood, joking around and laughing after the game.

“Deuce is hilarious,” Lamizana said. “He’s the energy of the team.” 

By Quarter
Bonner:            13  |  17  |  13  |  19  ||  62
Malvern Prep:  16  |  12  |   9   |  20  ||  57

Scoring
Bonner: Ketner 17, Lamizana 15, Rucker Jr. 14, Selden 10, Hicks 3, Eagan 2

Malvern Prep: Phillips 26, H. Pegg 11, Williams 8, R. Pegg 6, Miller 2, Davis 2, Oschell 2