Perseverant Modestine leads Lansdale Catholic in league opener

Remember the time when Dan Modestine didn't even start on the junior varsity squad? The 6-foot-2 junior forward for Lansdale Catholic certainly does.

"Yeah, it was disappointing," Modestine said of his sophomore campaign. "I thought about leaving a couple times, but I just thought, 'I can't leave because of this year.' "

Instead of seeking asylum elsewhere, Modestine stuck with the Crusaders and focused on making this season his finest.

He's certainly off to a good start in Catholic League play. In Friday night's opener, Modestine's 27 points (7-for-10 shooting, 5 for 5 from three-point distance) and eight rebounds helped the Crusaders conquer visiting West Catholic, 56-48.

"This year has been so much better," he said. "I'm getting a lot of playing time and everything, so it's working out and I'm really enjoying it."

If earning respect was Modestine's goal this season, he's on the perfect team.

Expectations have been thin for the Crusaders (3-5 overall, 1-0 league), who turned over their entire roster, except for senior point guard Jake Saba and junior wing Ryan Quigley. They combined for just 11 points in league play last year.

Friday night, Saba handled the ball well late. All six of his points came from the foul line (6 for 10). The Crusaders finished 18 for 25 while the Burrs (4-5, 0-1) buried their chances under a 9-for-24 performance at the line.

"We just had to push hard," said Modestine, who went 8 for 10 from the line. "People put us 14th out of 14 [in the league], so we knew we had to come in here and work hard every day. We've been shooting free throws, that's our main thing."

Sophomore forward Ryan Braun added 11 points and seven off the glass while junior forward Tyler Grant grabbed nine boards with his eight points.

West Catholic was led by senior do-it-all Jahmil Harris, who finished with 11 points, five rebounds, eight assists and five steals before fouling out with 1 minute, 12 seconds left. Senior forward Brandon Cole and sophomore guard Jeohnni Moore added nine points apiece.

Modestine's 10 points in the final quarter extended the Crusaders' 36-33 advantage heading into the period.

"Just calmed ourselves down," he said. "We were too crazy early and had too many turnovers."

And to think, if not for the support of family, Modestine could have been one of those turnovers from last season's squad.

" 'If it's the right decision [for you], then go,' " Modestine said, recalling his dad John's advice. "But, I thought I'd stay here to see if it worked out, and it has."

Who would have thought the Crusaders would be rubbing elbows, so to speak, with six-time defending champion Neumann-Goretti? (The Saints start league play Monday against Cardinal O'Hara.)

"It's amazing," Modestine said with a wry smile. "We're up there with Neumann-Goretti, so that's good."

West Catholic 11 14 8 15 - 48

Lansdale Catholic 8 16 12 20 - 56

WC: Brandon Cole 9, Jahmil Harris 11, Dontae Harvey 1, Stefan Jones 8, Nahim Lee 7, Stephon Maddox 2, Keyohn Maddox 1, Jeohnni Moore 9.

LC: Ryan Braun 11, Tyler Grant 8, Nick Maloney 4, Dan Modestine 27, Jake Saba 6.