By MIKE BLACKERBY
It’s the mark of any great player.
Catholic’s B.J. Edwards was at his best against some of the toughest competition in the country.
The 6-foot-3 sophomore guard – the 5Star Preps Player of the Year – took his game to an elite level this season.
He led the Irish to a 2-1 record against a trio of teams with national reputations in the December Gonzaga Prep Classic in Washington, D.C.
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Edwards more than held his own in a January matchup with defending national champion IMG, which featured the star-studded backcourt of Jaden Springer (Tennessee) and Matthew Murrell (Ole Miss).
The Irish trailed by only three points with 4:27 to play before IMG pulled away for a 71-53 win.
Edwards went toe-to-toe against Springer and Murrell, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
That proved to be Catholic’s last loss of the season.
The Irish (25-4) won their next 10 games, culminating with a 50-47 victory over Briarcrest Christian in the state Division II-AA championship game.
Edwards scored 14 points and speared eight rebounds on his way to earning MVP honors.
Defensively, he held highly touted Briarcrest point guard Kennedy Chandler to 13 points. Chandler is a five-star prospect and is generally considered the nation’s top point guard in the Class of 2021.
“Just look at what he did,” said Catholic coach Mike Hutchens, who guided the Irish to their first state championship.
“He more than held his own against Jaden and Matthew. Then look at the run he had at the end of the year. To hold Kennedy to 13 points was a great feat. B.J. guarded him the whole game. With money on the line he outplayed them all.”
Edwards said he relished the showdown with Chandler.
“I knew a lot of (college) coaches were watching and everybody in Knoxville was watching to see if I could play with him,” said Edwards.
“I think I showed I can play with him.”
Throughout the season, Edwards was able to maintain a cool, in-charge persona on some of the biggest stages in high school basketball.
Getting rattled was not an option, he said.
“I’m used to playing against the best competition,” Edwards said.
“When it’s a big game, I know I’ve just got to let things come to me.”
As the season emerged, Edwards showcased an all-around game that had no weakness.
He averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.8 steals.
Edwards shot 44 percent from 3-point range and 55.7 percent overall.
Edwards showed marked improvement from his freshman season with his ability to get to the rim and crash the offensive boards.
He was named a finalist for TSSAA Division II-AA Mr. Basketball.
“B.J. is just real explosive – and that’s something that goes unnoticed because he’s so smooth,” said Hutchens.
“His jumping just went off the charts since he was a freshman and B.J.’s defense just got better and better.”
Hutchens said there was no doubt who the team leader was this season.
“B.J. doesn’t talk a lot, but he has his teammates’ respect and trust, just like any great point guard.”
Edwards already has eight college offers and is vaulting up the charts in the Class of 2022 rankings.
His latest offers are from Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.
Tennessee, Auburn, Georgetown and South Carolina are among others who have offered.
Hutchens predicted Edwards could be a top-10 prospect nationally by the time he’s a senior.
“No doubt about it,” said Hutchens, “he could be one of the best to ever come out of Knoxville.”