Though he has been a key part to the Trinity Catholic High School boys basketball team’s 8-0 start, junior guard Remy Pinson, a transfer from Rye High School in New York, has often operated beneath the radar. That is due to the fact that Pinson has been content to blend in to the state’s No. 1-ranked team, willing to cede the stage to the team’s two heralded stars, center Tevin Baskin and guard Eric Jean-Guillaume.
That selfless philosophy has obscured the fact that Pinson is quite capable of playing a headlining role, as he demonstrated during tonight’s 74-61 win over Danbury.
Pinson scored 17 first-half points, including nine in the first quarter, when the Crusaders were uncharacteristically lazy on defense and got into a shooting contest with the Hatters, coming out on top, 22-19.
Pinson finished with five 3-point shots.
On a different team, with different needs, Pinson could easily put up 20 points an outing, as he proved tonight. But with Baskin and Jean-Guillaume, and even Takari Smalls, capable of carrying the offense, Pinson has had the luxury of concentrating his efforts in other areas.
His ballhandling and poise were key factors that helped Trinity avoid an upset to St. Joseph at its Northeast Classic holiday tournament. At other times it has been his defensive play.
While Pinson’s performance may not always be as demonstrative as some of his teammates’, he has earned raves from opposing coaches who have scouted the Crusaders for his polished play.
Pinson is the latest contribution to the Trinity program from Rashamel Jones, Stamford’s all-time top male scoring leader. Jones coached Pinson in AAU ball. When Pinson decided he wanted to find a team that would serve as a better stepping stone to a college career, Jones steered him to his alma mater.
And if the Crusaders are going to realize their goals of winning a state title, you can be assured Pinson will play a large role. It just might not always be evidenced in the box score.
