City of Basketball Love

Andy Backstrom (@FineAnd_dAndy)
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When Zay Jennings and Vaughn Covington were in seventh grade, they played AAU basketball together for the Delaware Running Rebels.

Despite leading different basketball programs 68.3 miles apart in their high school years -- Allentown Central Catholic and Neumann-Goretti, respectively -- the two will find themselves wearing the same uniform once again.

This time, it will be in Caldwell University’s backcourt.

Covington committed to Caldwell on May 4, while Jennings signed with the Division II school on April 19 and made his decision public on May 9.

For Jennings, it is a chance to reconnect with his former teammate, a player who can complement his game.  

“Vaughn is a very good distributor and he can also score,” Jennings said. “And I can score the ball as well too, so I think it will be a good fit for both of us.”

The 6-foot point guard from Central Catholic was deciding among Morgan State, Bloomsburg and Kennesaw State, among other schools, in addition to Caldwell. Ultimately, Caldwell prevailed.

“I chose Caldwell because of coach (Mark) Corino,” Jennings said. “He’s been there going on 29 years, and he really has the program moving in the right direction. Also, because of the proximity to home. It’s very close to home. And also the chance to play right away.”

This year, Caldwell graduated its top four leading scorers from the past season, including guard Dawan Lighty (14.8 ppg/32.9 mpg). However, five Cougars guards will be returning next season: rising sophomores Harrison Ahmad (5.3ppg/17.3mpg) and Ned Ogoemesim (4.7 ppg/13.5 mpg), as well as rising juniors Tyler Drews (2.8 ppg/8.4 mpg) and Brantley Bernard (2.1 ppg/8.8 mpg).

Jennings believes that he will be played as either a scoring point guard or a combo guard at the collegiate level.

“My role will most likely be perimeter scoring,” Jennings said. “(Corino) wants me to come in and score the basketball and do what I do, just play my game.”

His game included averaging 21 points, four rebounds and three assists per game during his senior year at Central Catholic.

Jennings totaled 1,426 career points for the Vikings, ranking him inside the top 10 in the school’s long basketball history. He's also the school's all-time leading 3-point bucket maker, with 208.

“Allentown Central Catholic has had some real talented guys come out of there. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman plays at Michigan. Billy McCaffrey who played in the 80s who ended up going to Duke,” Jennings said. “So being in the conversation with those guys at Central Catholic as one of the premier scorers is pretty special.”

Scoring points is a priority for Jennings on the court, but he also faces another task.

“My whole high school career there have been doubts. That fuels the fire, most definitely. Proving people wrong has always been a thing that I’ve been trying to accomplish, especially in this area where some players do not get the respect that they deserve,” Jennings said.

Jennings feels that some overlook him as a player and underestimate some of his less featured skills. He emphasized that his passing and court vision are occasionally neglected.

“I think other people should know that most people just classify me as a shooter, but I have more to my game than just that,” he said.

As he leaves Central Catholic, Jennings looks to carry a particular mentality with him to Caldwell:

“Being the best player I can become. If I’m going to do something, I think I should give it my all, and give it my best shot.”