Former Titans find new home at Benedictine

Benedictine College Prep has a Richmond address but a Midlothian flavor.

The Cadets’ basketball rotation features a trio from the Route 360 corridor: senior Jordan Burgess and the newly arrived “Nick’erbockers” – juniors Nick Coppola and Nick Gorski.

The bouncy 6-foot-5 Burgess, rated among the state’s top 15 by VirginiaPreps.com, resides in the Manchester High district and is younger brother of VCU ace Bradford Burgess (played at Manchester and Benedictine).

Coppola, a smooth 5-10 ball-handler, and 6-8 Gorski, a versatile forward, are high-profile transfers from Cosby.

“They’re welcomed additions,” BC coach Sean McAloon said of his ex-Titans.

“Nick (Coppola) will team with Charles George in what will be a quick, dynamic, explosive backcourt.

“Nick (Gorski) will post up for lay-ups, but he can dribble, shoot and pass, too.”

Burgess, who has committed to VCU, was a third option last year at Benedictine, playing in the shadows of Trey Davis (now at University of Richmond) and Michael Gbinijie (Duke).

This is Burgess’s fifth year of high school.

He made Benedictine’s varsity as a freshman, then transferred to Bishop O’Connell in Arlington. While at O’Connell he was reclassified, allowing for the extra year – fairly common practice among private schools but not allowed in the public sector.

“The Nicks” will help fill the void left by Davis and Gbinijie.

Coppola started as a freshman and sophomore under coach Ron Carr at Cosby and was All-Dominion District last winter, helping the Titans to Central Region playoffs.

Gorski was a top reserve as a freshman before cracking Carr’s lineup last season.

Carr was reluctant to comment, but said “that’s today’s world … kid’s aren’t as interested in winning for their school anymore – it’s all about the scholarship.”

Carr is no stranger to losing top-flight talent to private schools. Scott “Scooter” Renkin, who started at Clover Hill High as a freshman, chose Blue Ridge Academy over the Titans the first year Cosby opened.

Coppola and Gorski made the joint decision to transfer last April.

“I was just looking for more (college) exposure,” said Gorski.

“Benedictine plays a lot better schedule,” offered Coppola.

It’s about 16 miles from Cosby to Benedictine, located in the Richmond’s Museum District, just off The Boulevard.

Coppola and Gorski meet at 6:45 a.m. each morning, alternating as drivers, to reach campus in time for 7:30 marching formation.

Benedictine is unique in that it is an all-male military school, closely tied to the Catholic Church. It also boasts one of the proudest basketball traditions in Virginia.

Former coach Warren Rutledge won a state-record 949 games between 1957 and 2000. The school gym is decorated with state title banners, wall-to-wall.

As for no girls on campus, Gorski says:

"You’d think it would be a big deal, but you get used to it quickly … we can say a lot funnier things in class.”

Regarding the mandatory military uniform, Coppola says:

“At least you don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing each day … it’s the same every day.”

Benedictine has been accused of “recruiting” by public schools. Only a few public schools continue to play the Cadets.

To that, McAloon says “I’m tired of talking about it; it’s like shouting in the wind … the kids contact us; all we do is pick up the phone.”

McAloon says financial aid is based on family need, not athletic prowess.

This is nothing new. Former Chesterfield hoops stars transferring to Benedictine include:

* Vernon Hamilton (from Thomas Dale – later starred at Clemson),

* Darrien Brothers (from Monacan, now at University of Richmond)

* Bradford Burgess (two years at Manchester)

* Gbinijie (who first enrolled at Dale).

The Cadets, with a 29-game schedule, open Nov. 29 in the Rebel Classic at Douglas Freeman.