Relph Having Fine Year
Tyler Relph, a 6-0 point guard from McQuaid Jesuit H.S. in Rochester, N.Y., has enjoyed a terrific senior campaign for Joe Marchese's Knights program.
Relph, who signed with West Virginia during the early letter of intent period, scored 16 points on Saturday to help McQuaid Jesuit finish the regular season with a perfect record.
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McQuaid Jesuit nearly saw its perfect season go up in smoke last weekend at the Prime Time Shootout. After building a huge 53-33 lead (capped by a Relph three pointer), the Knights withstood a furious second half comeback by Harrisburg H.S. of Pennsylvania.
Harrisburg sliced the deficit to 60-58, but McQuaid Jesuit ended the game on a 13-2 run to emerge with a 73-60 win. Relph registered a key assist to Marty O'Sullivan and knocked down a pair of free throws to chip in to the game ending run.
"Tyler has done everything that we've asked him to do and more," Marchese said. "Tonight, he was probably as exhausted as I've ever seen him, and still, he took a charge and made a couple of free throws at the end of the game."
"We had a very tough game on Thursday night at home, traveled, and then he was not in top physical form tonight," the coach continued. "He's an outstanding player who has shot over 50 percent from three point range, and they're deep. I think he will be a great player for John Belein at West Virginia."
Relph is indeed one of the top pure shooters in the Class of 2003. Although he needs a little daylight to get his shot off, he's one of those players you can't ever lose on defense, or else he'll scorch you from deep.
He's also fine tuning his game in preparation for the rigors of the Big East Conference next winter.
"He has really improved his game to the basket this year and has gotten a lot stronger to the basket," Marchese said. "Defensively, he needs to continue to work, but other than that, I think he has it all."