Jiriem Tedder of Catholic Central High

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a number of reasons why the Catholic High Boys’ Basketball team is off to one of its best starts in school history and, as with any team, there are certain people who receive most of the recognition.

For CCHS, that would include Head Coach Chuck Mack, along with his son Anthony. Of course, both of them are deserving of the limelight. Coach Mack is the leader of the program that has done a complete one-eighty since he took over, and his team is currently 10-0. His son Anthony is the team’s best player and is receiving interest from a number of Division 1 schools as a sophomore.

The one person who does not receive as much notoriety is Jiriem Tedder. The six-foot, senior guard is the most complete player on an undefeated team, yet he is also one of the most overlooked in Section Two.

When asked about his game, Jiriem described himself as an “aggressive, athletic, tough, pass first, team player. I’m a stat stuffer. I pride myself on doing whatever it takes to do to win.”

Jiriem credits his father for his work ethic. “My dad always preached that if you’re going to do something, give it your all & that’s what I feel like I do on the court.”

All of these attributes are huge reasons why CCHS has gone from worst to first over a three-year span. It takes a special type of kid to do the dirty work, especially on a team that has been filled with underclassmen since Mack took over.

Along with being the team’s second leading scorer, Jiriem is also the team’s top defender and the toughness he brings makes him arguably the best on-ball defender in the area. That is why college coaches from a number of different levels are recruiting the young man.

Education plays a key role in Jiriem’s decision to play at the next level and that is clear after hearing the schools that are recruiting him the hardest. In no particular order, his list consists of Eckard College, Dominican, LeMoyne, Virginia State and Adelphi. Whatever school Jiriem chooses will be getting a tremendous, hard-working kid who will make his teammates better.

 

Derek Marchione-Staff writer