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Oliver-Bush's big night pulls Roman Catholic away from Father Judge

01/31/2023, 12:30am EST
By Owen McCue

Owen McCue (@Owen_McCue)
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Erik Oliver-Bush started last season going up against Roman Catholic. Then a role player at Trenton Catholic, he first got familiar with the Cahillites during a season-opening defeat.

“It was real fast-paced and they ran their stuff. It was the same way we play now, and  they were real aggressive on defense,” Oliver-Bush recalled of last season’s Roman squad.

A year later, circumstances brought Oliver-Bush to Broad Street, where he’s now suiting up in a similar role for the 17-1 Cahllliites. 

He had his best night of the season Monday night, scoring 20 points in a 70-45 victory over Father Judge at Jefferson University — a win that improved first-place Roman to 9-0 in the Philadelphia Catholic League.

“We played Trenton Catholic last year up in North Jersey, so I knew that he played hard,” Roman Catholic coach Chris McNesby said. “When his family was kind of relocating, it was like BOOM. No brainer. It’s good to have him join us and he adds a nice element.”

Roman Catholic's Erik Oliver-Bush, left, shoots over Father Judge's Ernest Shelton on Monday. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Oliver-Bush came into Monday averaging a little more than seven points per game, similar to what he averaged at Trenton Catholic last season. 

The 6-foot-4 wing/guard describes himself as a player in the 3-and-D mold. He also cuts to the basket, makes plays, pushes the ball in transition and plays “positionless basketball.”

“I’m kind of just patient,” Oliver-Bush said. “I take what I can get. I don’t really force anything because I know the right opportunities will present themselves if I just play.”

He certainly took his time to get going on Monday night, going scoreless through the first eight minutes as Roman trailed 15-11 after Father Judge (8-7, 4-5) freshman Derrick Morton-Rivera scored eight of his 10 in the first.

Then came a 10-point explosion in the second quarter. He knocked down a pair of threes and was fouled on another, converting two of the three free throws, and added another two-point basket on a reverse layup in between. 

Roman senior guard Xzayvier Brown added eight of his 21 in the period as well and fed Oliver-Bush on multiple occasions as the Cahillites grabbed a 34-30 leading heading into half.

Sophomore forward Shareef Jackson (16 points, 14 rebounds, six blocks) and Oliver-Bush both had six points in the third as Roman outscored Judge 18-7 to take control of the game, 52-37.

Oliver-Bush and senior Jermai Stewart-Herring both had slam dunks during an 11-0 run in the third quarter. He added one of his two blocks with Roman leading big in the fourth, getting a grin of approval from Brown after the highlight stuff.

“It felt good especially because it’s just me being patient,” Oliver-Bush said of his offensive outburst.  “When I get an opportunity like that, it feels good. All my teammates cheering me on, everybody’s happy for me and everything.”


Father Judge's Mike McCusker, center, puts up a shot as Roman Catholic's Erik Oliver-Bush, left, comes over to block it. (Photo: Owen McCue/CoBL)

Oliver-Bush had 10 points and six boards in a Dec. 9 win over Sidwell Friends (D.C.) and tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds in a Dec. 30 win over Dorman (S.C.) — highlighting those as two of his biggest offensive contributions prior to Monday night.

He’s happy to do the other stuff that makes this Roman team — winners of 15 straight — run, but knows he’s capable of putting the ball through the hoop when his number is called.

“He’s super mature, great kid,” McNesby said. “To have a kid with that maturity with this group, just playing his role, understand some nights he’s going to have nights like this and there’s certain nights he’s just gonna play a defensive role and help us win. He’s completely bought in and it’s been a pleasure having him.”

It helps playing with an unselfish group of Division I talent in Brown (St. Joe’s), senior forward Anthony Finkley (St. Joe’s), Stewart-Herring (recent Hampton offeree) and Jackson.

“It definitely makes it easier for sure because I know that they’ll get me the ball if I’m moving and I’m active,” Oliver-Bush said. “If I find my spots, I’m sure they’ll hit me and it’s the same thing to them.”

Oliver-Bush got a late start to his high school career as he was sidelined with a broken wrist during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign as a sophomore. After helping Trenton Catholic to a state runner-up finish last season, he played for Team Diffrrnt and the NJ Shoreshots this summer when Division II programs like Lincoln and Felician and D-III programs like Penn State-Harrsiburg and Moravian began reaching out.

The senior’s first scholarship offer came Jan. 18 when Holy Family extended him a scholarship. He said it was a special moment for him and his older brother T.J., who played at Foundation Collegiate and has helped him a lot with his game. McNesby mentioned several PSAC schools have reached out along with the programs Oliver-Bush listed. 

“Any kid who’s working hard, and you want to see these kids succeed and move on, it’s a credit to him for all his hard work,” McNesby said. “To see him recognized, it’s awesome for him and his family, but I think there’s more to come because I think people see he just makes winning plays. I think there’s people at the next level who value that.”

Oliver-Bush is a big reason why Roman has now won 15 straight since a 55-53 loss to Jackson Reed (D.C.) in their third game of the season. They stormed through the first nine games of their PCL with seven double-figure wins — a 57-48 OT win over Archbishop Ryan and 60-55 win over West Catholic the exceptions. 

“He’s a winner,” McNesby said. “You can tell he has an ingredient of winning.”

“There’s not a lot of kids like that, so we’re lucky to have him.”

The Cahilliites will put first place on the line Friday night against Neumann-Goretti (15-2, 8-1). They still have La Salle (9-9, 2-7), St. Joe’s Prep (14-4, 7-2) and Archbishop Carroll (12-6, 5-4) on the schedule as well.

All signs point to Roman being one of the favorites entering the PCL tournament once again. After starting last season at Trenton Catholic with a loss, Oliver-Bush also ended his season with a loss to Roselle Catholic in the state title game. He’s hoping to avoid the same fate with his new squad this year.

“I feel like I fit in well,” Oliver-Bush said. “It’s a good team. I like all my teammates. We’re close as a team.”

By Quarter

Cardinal O’Hara:  15   |   15   |  7  |   8   ||  45

Archbishop Wood:  12  |   7   |   16   |   12   ||  70

Scoring

Father Judge: Derrick Morton-Rivera 10. Kevair Kennedy 9, Laquan Byrd 9, Ernest Shelton 7, Kyle Jones 3, Anthony Lilly 3, Mike McCusker 2, Chris Bannon 2.

Roman Catholic: Xzayvier Brown 21, Erik Oliver-Bush 20, Shareef Jackson 16, Jermai Stewart-Herring 5, Anthony Finkley 4, Robert Cottrell 4.


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