There was a time when Doyin Isaac wasn’t intended to be Xaverian’s point guard this season — but now the Clippers can’t imagine anyone else running the team.
The senior and three-year varsity player struggled last year at the point, and the team had an up-and-down year. So the Xaverian boys’ basketball coaches moved him to shooting guard to start this year, and gave two younger guards a try. Eventually, however, Isaac’s experience and skill set showed, and left them no choice but to put the ball in his hands, and it hasn’t left since.
“I don’t think there is a guard in the league that is playing better than this kid is playing,” said Xaverian coach Jack Alesi.
Isaac ran the Clippers flawlessly in a 73–44 non-league win over Curtis last Sunday. He scored 12 points and was the catalyst for Clippers runs. Xaverian put together an 18–0 spurt early in the first quarter and out-scored Curtis 13–2 in third to put the game away. Xaverian has won 14 of its last 15 games.
Alesi credits Isaac’s willingness to listen and learn as a major reason for his growth. Isaac sees the key in how he trusts his abilities — and those of his team.
“I’m playing with a lot more confidence,” Isaac said. “I believe in my teammates.”
Isaac’s speed and decision-making led to fast-break baskets off Warriors’ turnovers, and his ability to penetrate created open looks for the Clippers’ shooters. Isaac, who is also a strong defender, threw a perfect free-throw-line-to-free-throw-line pass in the third quarter to senior forward Sayon Charles for a layup that drew a foul.
“We had been looking for that guy to distribute the ball and be a true point guard,” Charles said. “Doyin is really stepping it up and helping our team.”
Isaac’s play has allowed the rest of the Clippers players to fall perfectly into their roles. Xaverian doesn’t have a superstar, but instead relies on its depth and balance.
“Good guard play to me is more contagious to the other players than if you had the super star,” Alesi said.
Charles, who scored 16 points against Curtis, and the athletic Nyontay Wisseh make up a long and powerful front line. They are tough to score against on defense also. Bard Featherson and Luke Schreiner are both strong shooters and Najee Larcher is a versatile forward off the bench. Xaverian is in second place in the Brooklyn-Queens Class AA division following a season of growing pains with a young team.
“This is definitely the year,” Isaac said. “Last year we were all juniors. We are all seniors this year — we are all mature.”
Xaverian (15–3, 8–3) has put itself in the city title conversation as the only team with wins over both division leaders Christ the King and Iona Prep. Losses to St. Francis Prep and Holy Cross show the Clippers that its margin for error is small, but Xaverian believes that, at its best, it is right up there with the top teams in the league.
“We expected to be here,” Isaac said. “It’s not really a surprise.”
