LAS VEGAS – The defending Tarkanian Classic Platinum champions and host Bishop Gorman High Gaels will attempt to do something Saturday night that teams have tried – and failed – to do 10 other times so far this season:
Coach Grant Rice and his squad are going to try to come up with a way to keep the Mobley Brothers of Temecula (CA) Rancho Christian from dominating things at both ends of the floor.
The Gaels and Coach Ray Barefield’s Eagles hook up at 5:20 in the Platinum finale of the seventh annual event, named in honor of the late and oh-so-great Jerry Tarkanian, who guided four UNLV teams to Final Fours, which included the 1990 NCAA championship.
In the division’s first semifinal Friday evening, Rancho Christian improved to 10-zip with its 76-57 victory over previously unbeaten Federal Way, the top-ranked club in Washington state.
And then the hosts did their part to set up what promises to be a terrific final by whacking 2018 California State Open Championship runner-up (to Sierra Canyon), Sacramento Sheldon, 63-46.
In divisional championship games contested Friday in Bishop Gorman’s main gymnasium, Hillcrest Prep of Phoenix knocked off Henderson (NV) Findlay Prep, 70-61, in the eight-team National (aka “prep school”) division.
Six-foot-five junior Kyree Walker (PICTURED) picked up bracket Most Outstanding Player hardware after scoring 13 points in the final, a bit more than 24 hours after cranked out 32 in a semifinal win over Las Vegas Trinity International.
And, in the Nike Division (also just an eight-team bracket; the Platinum has 16), the Lakewood (CA) Mayfair Monsoons overwhelmed Capital Christian of Sacramento, 64-34.
Another one of the upper-tier members of the regional and national Class of 2020, the Monsoons’ 6-5 Josh Christopher, got 15 of his game-high 25 points from behind the arc and was the all-too-obvious choice as the division’s MOP.
Back to the Platinum competition . . .
Rancho Christian took an eight-point advantage at the end of the first half by way of a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from junior guard Jordan Montgomery.
Federal Way (9-1 and also referred to by alumni, current student, family and friends as “the Eagles”) scored the first eight points when play resumed via consecutive 3s by Jalen Womack and Jaden McDaniels and then a mid-range jumper by junior guard Bradley Graham.
But that’s when the youngest Mobley, 6-11ish Evan, seemingly decide to remove any suspense about the ultimate outcome of the game.
And, in the process, he served up a succinct reminder to those in the gym and everyone watching the live-streaming (courtesy BallerTV, of course) of the event why there isn’t a better prospect at his size anywhere in high – and, in reality, in college, as well.
After a Rancho Christian timeout, an Evan bucket (his only field goal in the first half was by way of a dunk to start his team’s scoring), to put his team back in front.
By the time he, his older brother (USC-bound Isaiah) and the other starts had grabbed spots on the bench with 1:59 to go, Rancho Christian was in front by 20 points.
And what a 12-minute or so (minus the eight-point run by the other Eagles to start the second half) performance it was by Eric and Nicol’s youngest son.
In that stretch Evan scored 20 points (hitting his final seven shots and all six of his free throws) to go with seven rebounds, three blocked shots and a couple of steals.
For those wondering why Rancho Christian was up by eight although Evan had scored just four points with one rebound, well, let’s examine his older brother’s first half numbers . . .
Isaiah Mobley had 10 points, four rebounds and a couple of assists.
HIs only points (three free throws) in the second half were coupled with five more rebounds and another assist.
And his man-up defense against the extremely skilled McDaniels (one of the top five or so best of the remaining “unsigned” players form the Class of 2019) deserve a healthy dose of credit for being able to do anything with particular ease Friday night, although he did knock in a couple of 3s and used an up-fake of Mobley to free himself for a baseline dunk.
McDaniels had only two second-half buckets (he finished with 12 and two rebounds) before fouling out, with the disqualifying fifth coming with 5:04 when called for a charged when he lowered his head and stumbling into Mobley on a drive attempt.
Montgomery continued his strong junior season with 14 points (including four 3s).
Sheldon turned in a strong second half to knock off Chicago Whitney Young in a noon quarterfinal.
It was within four points of the Gaels at intermission of the semifinal but couldn’t cope with all of the ways Bishop Gorman can hamstring a defense, notably by way of a 6-9 junior in the middle (Isaiah Cottrell) and a deep and skilled perimeter.
Guard Noah Taitz – the MOP of this division a year ago when the Gaels won it for the first time – scored 20 points while junior Will McClendon was his only teammate to hit double figures with 17.
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