Keels attempts a layup at the 2019 NBPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Virginia. He returned to John Paul Jones Arena last September for Virginia basketball's ring ceremony. ~ Photo by Kris Wright

Trailing 34-29 in the final minute of the first-half of last Friday’s VISAA Division 1 semifinal versus Trinity Episcopal, Paul VI (Fairfax, VA) head coach Glenn Farello dialed up a play for star junior guard Trevor Keels, who responded with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 34-32.

In second-half play, Keels followed a 3-pointer by Duke-bound point guard and Paul VI senior Jeremy Roach with one of his own to push the Panthers' lead to 67-60 with 3:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Keels drained two free throws in the final seconds to cap off the Panthers’ 76-68 victory.

Playing big-time basketball in big-time moments is something Coach Farello has come to expect from his 6’5”, 210-pound junior, who has become one of the University of Virginia’s top targets in class of 2021 recruiting.

“Trevor does that,” Farello said. “He has been a big piece of who we are with his poise and competitive spirit.”

“I’d just say it comes with a lot of confidence and coach believing in me,” Keels said of being ready to perform in clutch moments. Specifically discussing the 3 at the end of the first-half, he added: “[Farello] told me this play is for me and I need you to knock down this 3 and that’s what I did. It’s just confidence, my teammates believing in me, and just making the shot.”

Keels scored 22 of Paul VI’s 76 points last Friday night. Not just a catch-and-shoot player, he brings the ball up the court and can drive to the basket. Defensively, he was tasked with guarding another Duke-bound recruit, Trinity's 6’8”, 230-pound senior Henry Coleman III. Paul VI’s #0 (pictured below far left) earned the team’s Lock Down Defender honor following his performance last Friday night .

“Trevor obviously made some big plays for us, and not just shooting, but on defense with him being able to guard multiple people,” Farello said.

Keels followed up his stellar semifinal performance with a 22-point outing in the VISAA Division 1 championship game last Saturday. Paul VI took home the state championship with a 67-59 victory over St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School (Alexandria, VA).

Rivals ranks the Panthers’ star as a 5-star recruit and the no. 15 prospect in the nation in his class. 247Sports ranks Keels as a 4-star recruit and no. 19 in the nation in the class of 2021. The Clinton (MD) native may not wow anyone with eye-popping athleticism or blazing speed, but he makes up for it with high basketball IQ, the “poise and competitive spirit” Farello mentioned, and just a sound game on both sides of the ball.

“I think I’ve been like that my whole life, just not getting really riled up a lot,” Keels said of his poise. “I think that sets you apart. When defenders see you are mad and moping and stuff, that’s when they attack you, so I just try and stay calm.”

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett extended a scholarship offer in February of 2019, while Keels was in Charlottesville to see a Cavaliers’ game.

“It means a lot him saying I could be a great player in college,” Keels said of Virginia offering near the end of his sophomore season. “I’m blessed to have an offer from them. [Bennett] being able to recruit me, as good a coach as he is. I’ve just got to continue what I’m doing.”

UVA hosted the talented wing on an official visit last September, the same weekend of the Hoos' 2019 National Championship banner raising ceremony. Coach Bennett has attended numerous Paul VI games in the past year. Associate head coach Jason Williford has as well, including last Friday night’s contest versus Trinity.

Keels called his official visit to Virginia "amazing.”

“I actually went for their ring ceremony," Keels continued. "It was pretty cool seeing the ring up close. I just took it all in to see how the college atmosphere is. I watched their practices. I like how they practice. Had a couple meetings with [Coach Bennett]. He’s an all-around great dude.”

Asked for his thoughts on the system and the culture developed under Coach Bennett, Keels said: “I’d say they play a lot of defense. It’s great. They’ve got great dudes on the team. I got along with all the dudes. I know Casey Morsell. I grew up with him. It’s going to be a tough decision when it comes down to it. I just have to take it day by day.”

The competition is steep for Keels, who also boasts offers from Duke, Florida, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio State, Seton Hall, Villanova and West Virginia, among others. Multiple outlets have reported since last Friday that Keels will make an an unofficial visit to Duke for the North Carolina game on Saturday, March 7.

“I’d say all the schools that offered me or are recruiting me, they all show love, which is great,” said Keels. “Hearing from head coaches and assistant coaches and them building relationships, it’s just great.”

Keels didn't name any favorites. Neither did he provide a timetable for a decision. He did, though, give some insight as to how he is going about evaluating his options.

“It’s all around,” Keels said. “Me building relationships with the coach, the assistants, the players. Me seeing the style of basketball they play. I just watch them on TV, try to see what they do in person, and build connections.”

EDGE Outlook

Virginia continues to put the full court press on Keels, who plays at a school UVA has not yet landed a prospect from in Coach Bennett's tenure. The question is, where does UVA stand? Farello mentioned that the Virginia staff has been recruiting him hard throughout, and I don't think Bennett would continue to invest the time if he felt the Hoos were out. UVA was among the early offers for the impressive junior and he did take an official visit last fall, but Keels did not give away anything in terms of a possible favorite.

Highlights

Highlights of Paul VI's VISAA championship win over St. Stephen's and St. Agnes are below, courtesy of Capitol Hoops. Keels is #0 in white.