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Wall continues encouraging start as St. Joe's Prep downs Malvern Prep

12/11/2017, 10:00pm EST
By Jeff Griffith

Trevor Wall (above, in June) has settled right into the St. Joe's Prep rotation as a sophomore. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Jeff Griffith (@Jeff_Griffith21)
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MALVERN, Pa. -- Trevor Wall has been watching St. Joe’s Prep basketball since he was in elementary school.

Right before his eyes, he’s seen a handful of memorable four-year careers pass by in the blink of an eye, including those of his older brothers, Ryan (class of 2014) and Evan Wall (class of 2016).

Watching players like Miles Overton (Drexel) and Steve Vasturia (Notre Dame) excel at St. Joe’s before going on to the college ranks, he grew up experiencing night in and night out what it means to play for storied head coach Speedy Morris.

“That really stuck to me,” he said. “I always wanted to play in big games like them.”

Now, just three games into his first year in the varsity rotation, the 6-foot-2 sophomore guard is already making the most of an opportunity seven years in the making.

“Since I was younger, I always wanted to play,” he said. “I came to all my brothers’ games, I was waiting my turn to play. It’s kind of like a dream come true.”

To follow up a game-winning shot in the Hawks’ season opening victory over Girard College, Wall stepped up when it counted most once again Wednesday afternoon, helping lead St. Joe’s Prep past the Malvern Prep Friars, 76-67 in overtime.

“We knew we had to come out and play hard in overtime, we didn’t want to lose that one,” Wall added. “We got a big win, we’re satisfied with the win.”

In their sophomore years, neither of Wall’s older brothers saw minutes for St. Joe’s Prep. By the time their respective senior years rolled around, Ryan averaged 6.9 ppg while Evan posted 5.2 ppg.

While he still has a ways to go after just three games, Wall certainly seems to have a bit of a head start on his older brothers, and his head coach already recognizes his relative potential.

“They’re all good players,” Morris said of the three brothers. “But I think (Trevor) will be the best of the Walls.”

Despite those kinds of encouraging words from Morris, Wall made it clear on more than one occasion that he’s not going to be made over-confident by a few early successes.

“It’s a confidence booster, but I can’t let it get to my head,” he said. “Got to keep playing hard.”

In the latter two years of second-oldest brother’s career, Wall watched the likes guards Kyle Thompson and Darius Kinnel — the Hawks two scorers in their sophomore and junior seasons — help turn the Hawks back into a competitive side in the Catholic League.

Now as seniors, Thompson and Kinnel set the example for Wall as experienced leaders in his first season on the varsity roster.

“They played with my brother Evan, so I’ve been watching them for a while,” Wall said. “Captains, leaders of the team, it’s good to look up to them. I’ve been watching them play for two years and they’ve handled themselves pretty well, so I’ve been looking up to that.”

Against Malvern Prep, they both had solid outings; Thompson contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, while Kinnel added 12 points and five boards.

For Wall, though, his 11-point, two-rebound effort Wednesday continued a string of three performances to start the season that all ended in double-digit scoring outings.

While he didn’t start in Wednesday’s contest, Wall was the first player off the bench and the only bench player who saw any major minutes for the Hawks. With the way he’s played early on this season, his head coach views him as more than just a sixth man.

“Trevor’s a starter,” Morris said. “He doesn’t start, but he’s a starter. We’re 3-0 and he’s had three good games for us. Everything he’s done is huge. I’m very happy, that’s why we’ve got him.”

Prior to the fourth quarter, Wall held an underwhelming stat line of just two points and a block.

After junior guard Gabe Arizin fouled out late in the final period of regulation, he never saw the bench again, despite a costly turnover of his playing a part in Malvern’s late push to erase a seven-point deficit and force overtime.

“I know my role,” Wall said. “Got a loose ball late in the fourth quarter, passed it up, made a mistake. So as soon as we went into overtime, I knew I had to step up.”

Once the extra period began, Wall bounced back, making a handful of hustle plays, as well as six points and two key rebounds. He finished the game with ten points, none bigger than his layup with just over two minutes remaining in overtime to give the Hawks the lead for good.

“With Gabe being out, I knew someone had to score, so I kind of took that into my own hands,” he said. “Gabe’s a good player, does a lot for us, little things. I knew I had to come in and play that role.”

While he only found the basket once prior to the fourth quarter, Wall created one of the Hawks’ biggest highlights of the afternoon, feeding senior big man and La Salle commit Ed Croswell for an alley-oop. His assist to Croswell — who finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds — gave St. Joe’s its biggest lead of the game, 43-34, midway through the third.

“He’s a hard-worker,” Wall said of Croswell. “Watching him last year, I was excited to play with him this year. Finally got to throw that alley-oop to him.”

Looking to improve upon an inspiring start to his “dream come true” at St. Joe’s Prep, Wall will continue to be tested going forward as his Hawks take on a handful of talented opponents — including Germantown Academy, the Haverford School, Cheltenham and Bishop Shanahan — in the coming weeks.


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