Last year Chaz Walter and Chris Davis lead Archbishop Molloy’s varsity in scoring each with 17-point averages a game. Walter graduated and Davis, a guard, returned for his senior year during which time the latter made up his mind to continue his education and basketball at Ivy League College Columbia University.
Also returning was forward Jason Cethoute, one of seven seniors on the 14-player roster. At press time, the Stanners are putting ‘it’ all together and are having one of the top teams in the Brooklyn-Queens Division of the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association Class ‘AA’ league.
While Davis made his college choice earlier this season, Cethoute still is undecided, as according to him, first comes a possible team title.
Jason’s father Donald is a native of Haiti, where his sport was playing soccer.
“Jason (also) has been one of our best players this year,” said Head Varsity Coach Mike McCleary. “When he plays well and (his teammates) play well we’re tough to beat. He’s having a tremendous season.”
Jason’s highest scoring game was 24 points and with it came a spot on the all-tournament team at Gonzaga earlier this season.
Jason, a starting forward on the varsity, is expected to be recruited by a college. Among the colleges looking at him include Adelphi, New Hampshire and lower Division I colleges.
“We’re hoping they (the recruiters) keep coming because he’s a good player,” McCleary said.
However, Jason still has to improve himself in certain aspects of the game to be competitive on the next level.
He has to be a little more fluid on his left side, has to improve on his shooting, handling the ball and finishing it.
A resident of East Elmhurst, Queens, Jason attended St. Gabriel’s where he began the sport of basketball, before the school closed down. During the off season, he played outside ball for the Brooklyn Bullets.
“It made me stronger and more physical, and made me want to attack the basket more, because nobody knew who I was before this year,” the 6’5’ student athlete said, after a recent game. “I want to have a breakout year this year.”
Jason has been playing at Molloy for four years, starting as a freshman when he averaged eight points a game. In his sophomore year, again as a starter, he averaged 15 points a test. Last year as a junior reserve on the varsity he averaged six markers a fray.
Last year he played under the late Jack Curran, then long-time head coach of the varsity. Now with McCleary moving up to the head position, the forward is having more freedom around the perimeter, and where as a junior he played more down low.
Meanwhile, Jason’s father Donald helps his son wherever and whenever he can, for he also works during the day.
“My father talks to me about watching my footwork, “ he said. “He tells me basically to get strong, be more physical, jump higher and keep working out.”
“Any time we’re on the go, nobody can stop us,” Davis added. “If we’re on fire we can compete with anybody. We take each game one at a time.”
