Mount Vernon High: The Dynasty Continues
by Zach Smart
Just under twenty miles north of New York City lies a mecca of high school basketball. Mount Vernon High School, home of the 2004 state and federation champions, is a national powerhouse which breeds division I talent year after year. Chicago Bulls star Ben Gordon’s alma mater has produced the likes of ex-NBA players Earl Tatum, Lowes Moore, Rodney McCray, Scooter McCray, Gus Williams, and Ray Williams.
Mount Vernon is only four square miles, but every player on the roster, from one to twelve, lives there. Basketball is more than just a game to these people – it’s life. It’s a world of opportunity, a way of escaping the densely populated streets.
“In the basketball-obsessed community of Mount Vernon, making the team means respect and recognition at school,” said Kevin Devaney Jr. of The Journal News. “It’s a trip to Hawaii, an opportunity to play on television, in big arenas and in front of huge crowds. It’s a launching pad to a college scholarship. It’s the honor of saying you’re part of one of the nation’s elite programs.”
Many of the finest basketball players to come out of New York are from widely recognized city programs such as Christ The King in Queens, Rice in Manhattan, and St. Raymond’s in the Bronx. But the Westchester County juggernaut is consistently found near the top of the USA Today rankings; this year, the Knights are ranked no. 14.
As current college players go, UMass point guard Chris Lowe, Pittsburgh off-guard Keith Benjamin, St. John’s power forward Dexter Gray, and James Madison guard Jomo Belfor are all products of Mount Vernon High.
With 23 Section I/NYS championships, 5 New York State and two federation championships, head coach Bob Cimmino has established a potent tradition of excellence. Through rigorous 6AM workouts, off-season leagues, summer camps, and team breakfasts, Cimmino makes basketball an all-year around commitment while providing a family setting. The Mount Vernon Program can only be described as a surrogate family, a brotherhood which lives to push each other harder and make each other better.
This year, all eyes are on 6-foot-6 forward Jonathon Mitchell, who has made a verbal commitment to play at the University of Florida next year. Mitchell, who played on the varsity as an eighth-grader, is a dominant high-low player with a sweet mid-range jumper. His much-improved outside shot boosted his stock over the past couple of months. Mitchell’s game caught the attention of a number of major d-I programs, including Duke, Marquette, and Virginia. Marquette also actively pursued Mitchell before the senior decided on Florida.
Last season, Mitchell led the Knights while averaging 18.1 points. But for the first time since 1999, the Knights failed to capture the Section I championship. They fell at the hands of a New Rochelle team led by Providence forward Geoff McDermott.
In two games played – a 114-57 thrashing of Roosevelt High in Yonkers and a 98-50 routing of Clarkstown North in New City – Mitchell, who scouts would like to see assert his body in the paint more, is averaging 21.5 points to lead the Knights.
The Knights are also have the services of the seventh-ranked Class of 2007 point guard in the country in Mike Coburn. Coburn is both strong and lighting quick, can lock down the opponents’ best player, score, and create offense. Last year, Colburn played at the two spot while the aforementioned Lowe operated the offense.
John Malone of the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA) spoke about the Knights’ chances this season.
“I really think this could be their (Mount Vernon’s) best team since Ben Gordon’s junior season in 99-00,” said Malone, who many regard as a recruiting expert.
“Jon Mitchell has improved his perimeter game so much and finally seems to realize how talented he is. Mike Coburn has finally taken over the point guard spot and improved his jump shot this season. On top of that, 6’3” wing guard Dave Clark may be one of the most underrated players in the state. After those guys, you still have their what seems to be patented 6’3” post player that grabs boards and outworks bigger players in Danilio Hutchinson, and another frosh phenom in Sherrod Wright who looks more assertive as a freshmen than any of the previous stars before him.”
Malone continued, “I think Mt. Vernon’s pre-season accolades are fairly accurate. Most publications have them around 12-15th in the country. I saw them beat a very capable Clarkstown North last week by 48 points.”
The Knights get their first taste of real competition this weekend at the Iolani Classic in Hawaii. Other prestigious tournaments on the schedule for the Knights this year are the McDonald’s Classic (Pa.) and the Prime-Time shootout in Trenton, NJ.
