Letting his game speak for him, Freddie Dilione is leading the way for the Holy Rams
Freddie Dilione looked at the statistics sheet documenting Monday’s Word Of God (Raleigh) Christian Academy win, 82-67, over Chambers (Charlotte) in the John Wall Holiday Invitational. He wondered momentarily about not having made a 3-pointer in the game. Then, he wondered about other numbers, particularly his rebounds and assists.
Dilione, a 6-5 guard, said little in the postgame press conference staged one floor above the game’s Wake Tech North Gymnasium.
“We just won a game,” the junior said simply.
He needed not a single trifecta, nor a single free throw to contribute to the outcome. Dilione’s few spoken words were surpassed by his voluminous on-court efforts.
Dilione tallied team highs of nine rebounds (four offensive) and five assists. The latter helped Po’Boigh King (Dilione’s 6-4 senior backcourt mate) to 19 points to become the Holy Rams’ all-time leading scorer.
“I believe in my heart it’s the best backcourt in the country. I just think they’ve got to believe that,” Word Of God coach Byron Williams said.
“Freddie’s an in the ball guy. King spaces the floor because he’s a very accurate shooter.”
Dilione and King complemented each other’s commensurate sharpshooting in Monday’s T.J. Warren Foundation Bracket opening-round win.
King scored his points making 8 of 14 field goals (57 percent), including 3 of 6 3-pointers. Dilione netted his game high 24 points on 12-for-20 field goals (60 percent).
“I’ve got the best shooter in the corner,” Dilione said of King. “All my teammates, they just make it easier for me to play.”
Dilione and King protected the basketball for a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio Monday. The tandem’s possession security levels create unique conundrums for opposing teams.
“The goal was to keep the ball out of his hands, obviously,” Chambers coach Brian Frasier said of Dilione. “But a talented player like himself is always going to find a way to the ball and make good decisions. The impact he can make, just not even scoring, his ability to pass, to see the floor makes it tough as well.”
Dilione, King, Williams, and the entire Holy Rams team are seeking the school’s first holiday invitational championship since 2012. Word Of God won its first Invitational championship in 2007 when tournament namesake and alumnus Wall was a junior. Bracket namesake Warren was a member of the Holy Rams’ 2010 Invitational team.
Adding to the school’s storied tournament history, Dilione and King concurred in complementary style.
“I believe we just take it day by day and see what the day brings,” King said. “I believe if we come into games prepared, I think we’re going to be alright.”
This story was originally published December 28, 2021 at 2:45 PM.