Another Top Point Guard From Scranton

CORAOPOLIS, PENNSYLVANIA -- Is there something in the water in Scranton?

It was just a couple years ago that RivalsHoops.com's number 31 player from the class of 2002, and now Syracuse's rising freshman point guard, Gerry McNamara broke onto the scene. Well folks, another remarkable lead guard has emerged from the upper northeast Pennsylvania town.

Pat Doherty (right), a 5-10, 153 pound rising junior point guard from Scraton Prep, was named the MVP of the NBA (top division) All-Star game at Five-Star Pitt IV on the campus of Robert Morris University. He led his orange team to a 98-75 win Thursday evening. Howard Garfinkel, when he announced Doherty's trophy, added that it was an unusual unanimous decision by the committee of six.

Doherty tied for the second highest orange scorer with 12 points, including one three-pointer, but it was his overall game that got him the citation. He had 12 assists, two steals and three recoveries. Even that doesn't adequately describe how well he played.

Doherty, though on the second team, controlled the game whenever he was on the court. The subs upped the lead in their half of each of the first three quarters (plus 6, 6, 4). Coach Tony Lavorato from Palos Hills, IL, played him for about seven ticks of the 10-minute final quarter.

Here are a couple examples of the way Doherty played tonight. In the first quarter, he saved a tipped ball on the break and then fired a pass from the baseline to a teammate under the basket for a layup. After a third quarter steal, he brought the ball upcourt while an opponent was speedily catching up. Doherty somehow sensed the pressure and scooped up his dribble thereby avoiding a turnover.

Doherty said he averaged approximately 20 points and seven assists last season at Scranton Prep. He has a 90 average.

So far, he's had recruiting interest from Holy Cross, Boston College, Lehigh and Division II Adelphi in New York. But that is likely to change if he keeps playing like he did this week at Five-Star.

"This was a great camp," Doherty said. "The coaches really emphasized the importance of playing as team. This summer, I'm working on improving my shooting with the NY Skywriters."