Caelin Peters picks it up for Plymouth Whitemarsh
WHITEMARSH >> Caelin Peters isn’t the same player he was when the basketball season started in December.
The junior guard has steadily improved after making his first career start in the season-opener against Norristown.
The improvements have shown throughout the year but never more than his 37-point performance in a 90-86 loss against Malvern Prep Saturday.
“Having all the time to play on the court finally this year — not getting in that many games last year,” Peters said after posting nine points, four assists and three rebounds in a 71-49 Suburban One League American Conference win over Upper Moreland at Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Gym West Tuesday, “the confidence keeps on raising with every single game that’s passing. Obviously the game on Saturday helped out a lot, just getting into my rhythm, getting my shots up. Playing all these games against all these tough teams really helps with my confidence.”
Peters’ teammates are seeing him step up his game, too.
“His IQ,” senior center Naheem McLeod said of Peters’ biggest improvement. “Last year he didn’t play a lot. He was on the bench frustrated. This year he’s becoming a true point guard and he’s just looking up and passing to the right people, he knows when to shoot. We’re going to work together.”
Due to an injury to senior guard Anthony Straface, Peters has had to play more of a scoring point guard role.
“(Peters) has been put under such a challenge because with Anthony Straface out, who would relieve pressure from him having to score, I think Caelin would be even more sophisticated looking,” PW coach Jim Donofrio said, “but he’s had to take on the role of the scoring point guard. I’ve really pressured him to — probably unfairly at times — find the ball, calm things down, run offense — hey! Shoot that! I think in the end it will be great for him because I think he is so different than day one, so much different than a year ago. He’s got a lot of nice schools looking at him for the future. He’s making noise for himself. He’s become our steadiest player. He’s really improved defensively. His confidence as a scorer is going through the roof.”
Team effort
Coming into the season, Plymouth Whitemarsh looked like a team that was all about 7-foot-4 McLeod alongside four players with limited varsity experience.
Throughout the year other players have shown flashes, but never totally put it together.
If the Colonials want to make noise in the District 1 Class-6A playoffs and reach the semifinals for the fifth straight season they will need everyone to be involved.
Tuesday’s win over Upper Moreland was a good start.
McLeod led the way with 16 points, but seniors Jason Cherry and Kyree Pendleton were right behind him with 15 points each. Peters had nine and Jaden Pryce added eight.
“Every night is a different player’s night,” McLeod said. “If I’m not feeling it, Caelin steps up, Jason steps up. It’s not one man’s team. We’re a team together and whoever is hot that night we work to feed that person and get them open.”
“It’s becoming more balanced based on the fact that we’re finally figuring out what guys’ strengths and weaknesses are,” Peters added. “We know when we get guys in the right spots to make their shots. Now we’re converting on our opportunities.”
The flashes have definitely been there. Peters scored 37 points Saturday against Malvern Prep and Pendleton had a 17-point fourth quarter on the road against Wissahickon back in December.
Donofrio wants these contributions to be more consistent.
“I thought (Jason) Cherry was terrific,” the head coach said of Tuesday’s win. “I thought Kyree Pendleton was really, really solid — he didn’t come out of the game. That is good to see. Can we be a little smarter and a little more disciplined for the playoffs? This is the week to figure that out. Tonight was good. It was a good start.”
Playoff push
Upper Moreland entered Tuesday’s game No. 12 in the District 1 Class-5A playoffs, where the top 16 teams qualify for postseason play.
The Golden Bears face Wissahickon Friday night in the regular season finale.
“We’re playing well right now,” Upper Moreland coach Sean Feeley said. “(PW) is a really good team. I think we played better than the score indicated. We’re already on to the next play, next game.”
