Close just won't do Strong words: 'We've got it all'

For a rundown of just how much talent this year's boys' basketball team at Benilde-St. Margaret's has, ask senior Jordan Taylor.

"We can run, we can rebound, we've got shot blockers, three-point shooters, ballhandlers, quickness," Taylor rattled off in about three seconds. "We've got it all, I think."

Leading that charge are Taylor and classmate Armond Battle.

The two have been playing in the Red Knights' lineup since they were freshman. Once role players averaging less than seven points per game apiece, the pair last season combined to average almost 40.

"We've had some good players and some good teams," said coach John Moore, beginning his 13th season at Benilde-St. Margaret's. "But never with two kids this high-profile and with this much athleticism. It's the best."

Behind Battle and Taylor, the Red Knights advanced to the Class 3A state championship game last March. They ran into a feisty St. Thomas Academy team, though, and lost by 16 points. They scored only 40 points in that game -- 20 in each half -- which was 29 points below their season average.

The team was disappointed, but the mood in the Target Center tunnel following the game wasn't grim.

That day, Moore told this year's seniors to "save this date" for this season, because he expects Benilde-St. Margaret's to be back.

"I've watched tape of that game many times," Battle said of the championship game. "We weren't aggressive, and that hurt a lot."

Playing in a mix of AAU tournaments and open gym sessions, Battle and Taylor dedicated their offseason to improving their already-solid games.

Battle tinkered with his shot and added some muscle. Taylor worked on exploding to the basket and being more efficient.

They also both signed national letters of intent last month to play Division I basketball, Battle at Tulsa and Taylor at Wisconsin.

"We compete against each other every day in practice, and that can only help," Taylor said. "That, and we have about seven other guys who can knock it down. We all have good chemistry, but [Battle] has the most upside of anyone on this team."

Moore said Battle and Taylor are leaders on the court but bring different techniques. With Taylor, it's comfort ("When the ball is in his hands, I'm on the sidelines laughing and enjoying myself. As soon as he passes the ball, I'm hugging myself and hoping things go well."). With Battle, it's intensity ("He's so competitive. When the lights are on him, he wants to win.").

Together, it's an enviable one-two combo.

"I know what he's doing, and he knows what I'm doing," Battle said. "He can throw a pass looking the other way. I know it's coming."

A good three months stands between now and the state tournament. Anything can happen, but Benilde-St. Margaret's is ready to do what it can for a return trip. It has its players in place -- aside from Battle and Taylor, the team's two other top scorers return as well -- and a coach who knows a good thing when he sees one.

"We have a lot of gym rats, so I'd say we're a little ahead of schedule for this time of year," Moore said. "Even with all these players returning, we'll have challenges. Getting on the same page and things like that. But I'm pretty confident. They're pretty driven. I'm ready to go along for the ride."