Tag Archives: Jason Morris

Prime Time Shootout Report – Jason Morris

Andrew Slater took in the Prime Time Shootout this past week and here is his first report which covers the Hotchkiss-St, Anthony game which includes an interview with Jason Morris -

Facing his toughest opponent to date, Jason Morris, the 6'4" junior from the Hotchkiss School, struggled against longtime New Jersey and national power St. Anthony's of Jersey City.

Coming in averaging eighty points per game, the Bearcats of Hotchkiss implemented the unorthodox strategy of pressing St. Anthony's to begin the game to relative success, only trailing the Friars 18-16 at the conclusion of the first quarter.  The legendary Coach Hurley and his staff did an excellent job of mixing up defenses, varying from diamond presses to switching zones and playing man at times.  If they didn't scout Morris, they did an excellent job of quickly picking up on his tendencies. When playing man, they opted for the longer Dominic Cheek and  [private] only doubled when Morris tried to get into the lane.   They forced and dared him into long shots and contested him in his favorite areas to shoot the ball.

On defense, he had a difficult first half trying to stick with the offensively gifted Cheek. The Friar utilized the high ball screen and constant movement to gain the

2010 Prospect Jason Morris
2010 Prospect Jason Morris

necessary separation from the athletic junior Morris.  Cheek scored seventeen first half points and the Jersey City program took a commanding 39-24 halftime lead.

In the second half, Morris tried to force more shots against the Friars' zone, but was completely unsuccessful, finishing 0 for 5 from the field in the quarter. Perhaps, it was a matter of recovering from a prior rib injury, but, despite being in excellent physical shape, Morris rapidly tired out as the game wore on, clanking even a pair of free throws in the third quarter.

His only basket of the second half was to hit a three-pointer from the right wing to open the fourth quarter.  Morris' most noteworthy miss of the final quarter was a missed reverse alley-oop that excited the crowd to his potential athleticism. Jason Morris finished with eight points on an eye-popping 3 for 18 from the field (2 for 5 from beyond the arc), three turnovers, one assist, a block, and a steal. After the game, the Augusta, Georgia native gave the Blue Devils Nation a quick update and post-game comments.

Blue Devil Nation: Last time we spoke you had played in just a few games because you were recovering from a virus and yours knees were giving you trouble. Are you back to normal?

Jason Morris: I'm in pain, but I've just got to suck it up. My knees are fine. They're fine.

BDN: How have you played since Springfield?

JM: This is like my first game back in two weeks. I had a cracked rib.

BDN: Playing a team of the historical nature of St.Anthony's, how much more "amped" up did you get for this game than a league game?

JM: Yeah, we were definitely amped up for this game. We got a little helter-skelter there for a while.

BDN: You managed to keep it close for the first quarter.

JM: Yeah, we did, but then we lost the lead and we could never rebound from that.

BDN: Talk briefly about facing Dom Cheek.

JM: It was fine. You now we went at each other, but we got switched up at times.

BDN: They used the high pick on you quite a few times.

JM: Yeah, yeah. They did it whacked me pretty hard on the left side there. It was kind of hard to stay with him.

Blue Devil Nation: Heading into the playoffs, do you feel your team is rounding into shape?

Jason Morris: We're rounding into shape, but some guys are battling injuries. We should be fine, though.

BDN: Talk about Derrick Wilson. Any chance the two of you wind up at the same college? Have you talked about it?

JM: I'm not sure, but there's a slight chance.

BDN: Last time you mentioned that WF had recently offered, has there been any material change or new entrant in the past few weeks?

JM: Off the top of my head, I'd say "no."

Blue Devil Nation: Any planned unofficial visits for the Spring?

Jason Morris: I've visited pretty much every one that offered me, but I haven't had a chance to look at Wake Forest's campus or Stanford's campus. Everyone else I've seen unofficially.

BDN: What are you looking for now in a program?

JM: A team that is disciplined, but a coach that lets his guys play. He doesn't really have them on a tight leash. I'd like a close knit family setting, after playing with a lot of teams where there is a lot of disarray between the coaches or players. I'd like a disciplined school.

Other guy: Has Duke offered you?

JM: They've shown interest, but, no, they have not officially offered.

Blue Devil Nation: I know your father's family was from NY. Did any of them make it down for the game?

Jason Morris: All of my aunts and uncles are here.

BDN: Was that who you were waving to?

JM: Yeah, yeah. My parents were too busy to make it.

BDN: I'm sorry to hear that. What was it like playing in your first nationally televised game?

JM: It felt really good, but I just wish we had a better result.

BDN: I know, but, if nothing else, it should good preparation for Oak Hill.

JM: Yeah, it should. A lot of guys played really raw tonight for some reason. It was maybe their first time facing this level of competition.

BDN: You mentioned that you were switching to the Gauchos, do you have any other summer plans locked in at this time? Camps or trips to Brazil?

JM: So far, I'm just going to stick with LeBron and the Paul Pierce camp. [/private]

BDN Premium talks with prospect Jason Morris

Jason Morris is a 6-5 wing prospect, currently playing at the Tony Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut.  Coming in on a nine-game winning streak, the Bearcats of Hotchkiss faced a talented Tilton School program, featuring UConn commitments Alex Oriakhi and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel as

Jason Morris - copyright BDNP
Jason Morris - copyright BDNP

well as Gerard Coleman, one of the better shooting guards in the class of 2010.  

Whether it was a lingering virus or the blanketing defense of Coleman, Morris struggled with his shot (8 for 22) and effort throughout the contest, which Tilton won handily 98-79.  

After the contest, Jason spoke with Blue Devil Nation about his current status, but, with his coach standing behind me, was far more terse in his responses than he was over the Summer.

Blue Devil Nation: How are you doing terms of your health? The last time I saw you were recovering from injuries to both your lower abdominal muscles and more recently an ankle injury, which you said, at the time, was affecting your quickness. [private]

Jason Morris: I've got bad knees now.

BDN: Wow, I saw you had some contraptions under both knees.

JM: (laughs) Yeah, I'm hoping its just growing pains but right now its tendinitis.

BDN: What are you able to do about it?

JM: Right now, I'm just taking Advil.

BDN: Advil?

JM: Yeah, Advil and some other anti-inflammatory.

Blue Devil Nation: Well, how has your season gone thus far?  As a team, I know you headed into the weekend on an eight-game winning streak, but it hasn't been the easiest thing to follow how you personally are performing.

Jason Morris: Well, I've been sick so Ive missed a lot of the year so far. This was only like my sixth game so far out of like fifteen.

BDN: What did you have?

JM: Just a nasty virus. I only started playing again like three days ago.

BDN: Do you know how much you're averaging so far this year?

JM: Not really ... probably between eighteen and twenty.

BDN: Is this about average playing time for you (played 29 of 32 minutes)?

JM: (looks over my shoulder at coach) Yeah, this is about average for me when I'm healthy.

Blue Devil Nation: Whats the current status of your recruitment?

Jason Morris:Since the last time, Wake offered and Duke has shown minor interest.  Otherwise, its been fairly status quo.

BDN: You were talking over the summer about taking trips during the school year? Have you made any so far?  Do you have any upcoming trips planned?

JM: Yeah, I'm planning on taking them during the spring.

BDN:I remember you mentioned that Hotchkiss was much more, well, lenient towards athletes than musicians.

JM: Yeah (laughs)

BDN: Have you set up any visits so far?

J.M.:Nothing official, but I'm planning on it.

BDN: What are some upcoming matchups that you're looking forward to? I know in one week in February you're going to play St. Anthony's and Oak Hill.

JM: Those are definitely the big ones ... those are the ones.

Blue Devil Nation:How does Tilton compare to the average team that you face during the regular season?

Jason Morris: Well, its difficult to do a back-to-back.

BDN: I know you guys had an eight game winning streak, but I wasn't sure if you won yesterday.

JM:Yeah, we won.  With this team (Tilton), its hard to match-up with their height.

BDN:Yeah, you had no answer for Oriakhi and Coombs-McDaniel.

JM:  Right!  But that's now excuse. (looking over to the head coach)  We have to figure out how to get more people involved.

BDN: Do you have a time frame for when you'd like to cut down on your list?  In the past, you mentioned the spring and then ultimately decide at the end of your senior year.  Is that still the case?

JM: Not really, I'm just trying to slowly deal with recruiting right now.  Nothing formal right now.  The visits should help me with the pros and cons of some programs.

BDN: One of the thing you talked about wanting to keep working on and improving upon was challenging yourself on defense.  Have you noticed an improvement in that area?  How does competing with Derrick Wilson in practice help you?

JM: Its difficult to gauge at this point with my health the way its been.

BDN: Whats your current size? In July, you were a little under 64, but expecting to grow quite a bit.

JM: I'm now about 6-5, 208.

BDN: Are most schools looking at you as a three?  Two?

JM: Both really. They're trying to keep their options open.

BDN: Hows your school work going this year?

JM: Good, so far. I mean its difficult, but I'm trying to handle it.

Blue Devil Nation: Do you still do the Breakfast Club and dynamic training?

JM: Not nearly as much. We, well, I was able to do it in the Fall, but then I got sick and, with basketball season, I just don't have the time, but I'm going to do the dynamic training in the Springwell that AAU.

BDN: Which AAU program are you going to be with (played with Atlanta Celtics and New England Playaz in the prior years)?

JM: The Gauchos actually.

BDN: If you don't me asking, why?  Was it anything political?  More exposure?

JM: No, just, well, exposure and better caliber of players and a chance to win.

BDN: I know you're computer savvy with the Slingbox, etc.  Do you follow your rankings from the various services? How fair or accurate do you feel they are?

JM: I don't look at the rankings. I'm just not interested really.

BDN: You mentioned in the past that the Duke coaches had been in contact with your father. Have you or your father heard from them recently?  I know you mentioned they had shown minor interest.

JM: My father has spoken with them.  I really haven't too much. Its just easier for them to contact through him. Ive gotten an e-mail.

BDN: Have you watched them or much college basketball on television this year? I know you have that Slingbox.

JM: Not really, Ive been working on my schoolwork and getting healthy and, of course, playing basketball.

BDN: Thanks, Jason. I hope you stay healthy the rest of the year and you'll be fine no matter what school you choose.

JM: Thanks a lot. [/private]