SPRINGFIELD, Ma. – A couple of prep school powers that could be well-represented on the 2019 McDonald’s All-American team hooked up in a high-profile match-up Sunday evening in Springfield College’s Blake Arena on the fourth day of the Spalding HoopHall Classic.
And it was IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) that was able to out-slug Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA), 72-67, in a contest that was every bit as competitive and entertaining as one could reasonably hope for.
IMG led by 12 points late in the first quarter but trailed by six points at intermission.
Seniors headed for elite college programs, Josh Green (Arizona), Armondo Bacot (North Carolina) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova) combined for 47 points and 29 rebounds as IMG improved to 22-1.
But it was the floor leadership, decision-making and play-making of a junior, 6-foot-4 Jaden Springer, that orchestrated
Springer (PICTURED), one of the 10 or so best prospects in the National Class of 2020, scored 16 points and had at least four or five assists (although he was only “officially” credited with one), one of which came about when his pass to Robinson-Early was converted into a 17-foot jump shot that swished just before the shot clock expired, giving IMP a four-point advantage with about 18 seconds to go.
Oak Hill got 17 points and eight rebounds from 6-11, 300-pound (or so it seems, at least) Kofi Cockburn (who committed to the University of Illinois recently) and 21 points and five rebounds from junior guard Cameron Thomas.
But, in the absence of soon-to-be McDonald’s All-American Cole Anthony (one of the better PGs in the Class of 2019/out with reported ankle sprain), the Warriors’ best player Sunday night was 6-5, unsigned senior Christian Brown, who scored 22 points with six rebounds and two steals.
Coach Steve Smith’s team is in Southern California for Nike Extravaganza games against Santa Margarita and Modesto Christian, respectively, at Mater Dei High Friday and Saturday nights.
Among other games Sunday:
Chicago Whitney Young 54, Washington, DC, The Maret School 46: Junior Tyler Beard went for 11 points and seven rebounds as the Dolphins improved to 17-6.
Six-five sophomore Quincy Allen led The Maret School with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Long Island Lutheran 60, Atlanta Holy Spirit Prep 52: Terrific junior point guard Andre Curbelo had 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists while senior center Esaam Mostafa added 15 points and 13 rebounds as the Crusaders added Holy Spirit Prep its second consecutive loss in the event.
Holy Spirit’s soon-to-be McDonald’s AA, 6-5 Anthony Edwards, was nearly a non-presence with just two points on one of seven shooting from the field.
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