Trib HSSN boys basketball player of the week for Feb. 19, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Monday, February 19, 2024 | 11:22 PM

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Trib HSSN boys basketball player of the week: Jacob Guillen

School: Aquinas Academy

Class: Junior

Height: 6-foot-3

Position: Guard

What coach says: “Some of the strengths of Jake’s games are frankly his strength,” Aquinas Academy coach George Yokitis said. “He is about 6-3 and a sturdy 210 pounds or so. He has worked hard on his condition, including substantial weightlifting. He has excellent body control for a kid so big and he has become a superior 3-point shooter with outstanding form. Jake is a tenacious competitor. He is an outstanding teammate and leader.”

“In the California game, he was nearly flawless. He led us in rebounds, assists and points. He scored in almost every conceivable way, including a number of 3-pointers, slashes to the rim and putbacks. He simply was not going to be denied.”

“I believe Vinny (Cugini, the WPIAL’s all-time leading scorer) created a legacy as to how hard one must work to be successful. He was a great example how to play fearlessly. Jake has followed his lead in those respects. As far as intricacies of their games, both attack the rim relentlessly and value offensive rebounding. … They are two gentlemen, outstanding students and fantastic players.”

#Earned: Guillen ended the regular season and began the postseason this past week by scoring 69 points in two games. In the regular season finale for Aquinas Academy on Monday, Guillen, who averages over 21 points per game, scored 32 points in the Crusaders’ loss at Sewickley Academy. He was even better in lifting No. 7 Aquinas Academy past No. 10 California in a Class A first-round playoff game Friday. Guillen scored 37 points, including hitting seven 3-pointers, as the Crusaders defeated the Trojans, 84-50.

Background: Guillen needs 10 points to reach the 500-point mark for the season when Aquinas Academy battles No. 2 Neighborhood Academy on Wednesday at Norwin. It will be the third meeting of the year between the Section 3 foes with the Bulldogs beating the Crusaders twice this season by 26 and 16 points. Guillen also play soccer at Aquinas Academy. A defender for most of his career, he switched to goalkeeper and had four shutouts as the Crusaders finished in fifth place.

2024 Trib HSSN Boys Basketball Players of the Week

Week 6 – Michael Plasko, South Fayette

Week 5 – Lorenzo Gardner, Monessen

Week 4 – Joe Roth, Ellwood City

Week 3 – Jay Wrona, Mohawk

Week 2 – Peters Kramer, Hampton

Week 1 – Joey Dopirak, North Allegheny

Tags: Aquinas Academy