The varsity basketball team is off to a quick start to the 2015-2016 season with three wins in the first week of play. JC has knocked off Chapelgate Christian Academy, Severn, and Indian Creek sprinting to a 3-0 start. JC will, for sure, be one of this year’s top contenders once again in the MIAA “A” conference and the Baltimore Catholic League.

The current team is led by sophomore Immanuel Quickley and seniors Kevin Kangu and MIke Tertsea. Quickley has contributed to the team’s offensive surge by averaging just over 19 points a game, adding 16 points in the win over Indian Creek on Friday Oct. 20.

The JC roster will once again consist of multiple transfers and international students. The team has players from five different countries including Canada, Montenegro, Nigeria, Lithuania, and the U.S.

Some key additions to the team are senior Nemanja Knezevic, a native of Montenegro, sophomore Junior Farquar, from Montreal, Canada, and sophomore Nate Roberts, a 6-foot-9-inch post player who is a transfer from Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore.

This year’s team has been a lot different than in the past. The Patriots have a whopping nine players on their varsity roster which could lead to some problems down the road. However, the team still will contend with the top teams in the “A” Conference, in my opinion.

Friday’s starting five consisted of Farquar, Quickley, junior Jahbril Price-Noel, Knezevic, and Tertsea. The team got out to a slow start and ended the first quarter tied 13-13.

Tertsea, a 6-foot-10-inch post player, was the team’s strongest player in the first quarter. Tertsea dominated the boards and accounted for six of the team’s 13 points in the first quarter. Also, Price-Noel provided his usual hustle as he racked up numerous offensive rebounds.

The student section disappointed during the first quarter. However, after a few spectacular plays the student section provided an electrifying atmosphere. Quickley’s family, as usual, provided some added crowd noise including multiple chants that were much louder than the entire student section early in the game. Quickley’s mother, the spearhead of the chants, often ignited the student section’s chants throughout the game.

Farquar surprised me early. Like much of the JC community, I didn’t know much about him coming into the game, but his play was a pleasant surprise. He started the game at point guard and controlled the ball very well. He also had many splashes of athleticism throughout the game, including an alley-oop dunk that caused the student section to go absolutely nuts.

The second quarter of play provided some exciting basketball, including an impressive fast break drive by Farquar, which resulted in an and-one attempt. Roberts provided a key block on the defensive side of the ball with 3:41 left in the second quarter. The block resulted in a nice fast break drive by Quickley, and was followed by a foul and possible three point play.

At the half, JC led 26-21, and their play ignited the student section.

In the third quarter there were more flashes of excitement from Tertsea and Farquar. Farquar connected on an alley-oop from Price-Noel with 3:41 left in the quarter, which caused the student section and everyone else in the gym’s jaw to drop. Another alley-oop pass from Quickley to Tertsea provided even more excitement later in the quarter, which resulted in a score of 44-35 in favor of JC.

In the final quarter of play, Indian Creek got hot while converting on multiple three-pointers. The game got a little too close for comfort after Indian Creek hit a three-pointer to make the score 57-56 with 22.8 seconds left in the game. Indian Creek sent Knezevic to the free-throw line for two attempts. Knezevic converted on the two clutch free-throws and lifted JC to a 59-56 win.

Following this year’s team’s first game in front of their home crowd, the season looks to be one filled with excitement and many quality team wins. The team didn’t play up to their potential. However, based on their offensive surges and defensive stands it’s evident the potential is there.

Alex Rasmussen is the Social Media Manager for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com