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McDonald freshman scores 33 in win over Columbiana
By MIKE McLAIN
McDONALD
The role of most well-behaved freshmen basketball players is to chase down water bottles when the captains need a refreshment.
Zach Rasile, a freshman with just two varsity games of experience for McDonald, doesn’t have time to make water runs. He’s too busy chasing down points.
Rasile, the son of Devils coach Jeff Rasile, has been nothing short of sensational out of the gate, scoring a combined 59 points in the two games, including 33 in Friday’s 123-45 win over Columbiana.
Eight of the nine shots Rasile made in a win over United Local on Tuesday came from beyond the 3-point line. Against the Clippers, he set a school record with 11 3-pointers, which accounted for all of his team-leading 33 points.
Rasile’s performance Tuesday tied the school record for 3s set in the 2010-11 season by Louie Ronghi. His 11 3-pointers against the Clippers came in the first three quarters. Jeff Rasile sat the starters the entire fourth quarter after the Devils had opened a 111-41 lead.
Zach Rasile wasn’t sure early in the game if his shot was on. As he began to find the range, he was helped by teammates that tried to get the ball into his hands and a student section that knew history was unfolding.
“I struggled early a little bit, but I started feeling it a little bit later in the first quarter,” said Rasile, who made five 3s in the second period to help lead the 2-0 Devils to a 67-28 halftime advantage.
To have a freshman take center stage at an early stage of the season is a rarity. There doesn’t appear to be any animosity towards Rasile from his teammates.
“He made 11 3s tonight. If you can shoot like that, it doesn’t matter who you are,” said senior Evan Magill, a co-captain along with Dylan Portolese. “If he can shoot like that, I’m going to pass him the ball every chance I get.”
It takes more than one hot-shooting freshman to put up 123 points. Joey Ragazzine had a well-balanced game with 30 points and six offensive rebounds.
Braedon Poole had 16 points. Josh Celli added 13 points, while Caleb Emerson and Portolese each had 11 points. Magill had six points, but he pulled down 14 rebounds (nine offensive) and sparked a pressure defense that forced the Clippers (1-2) in numerous turnovers.
“I thought that was the best we’ve moved the ball in 10 years; at least since I came back five years ago,” Jeff Rasile said. “We’re sharing the ball. It’s tough to complain about tonight. Columbiana is not a bad team. We got ahead of them and it kind of steamrolled.”
He knows the challenges of a coach-son relationship. He’s understandably a proud father, but he’s quick to point out that Zach has been the beneficiary of unselfish teammates.
“He can’t get those shots if they’re not passing him the ball and other kids aren’t setting screens,” Jeff Rasile said. “They’ve accepted Zach like he’s one of theirs.
“Dylan and Evan have gone out of their way to set screens and make sure he’s getting the ball in good position. I think Zach makes Dylan and Evan better, and Dylan and Evan make Zach better. That’s what we like to see.”
Burdette Baker scored 20 points for the Clippers.