Student Sports FAB 50 ranked Findlay Prep, Mater Dei and host Bishop Gorman post victories in first day action at the 2013 Tarkanian Classic. Mr. Basketball USA impresses with a 42-point outing.
Related: Tarkanian Classic Results | Tarkanian Classic Preview | City of Palms Results
Wednesday Tarkanian Classic Recap
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 84, Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.) 45
For the first 10 minutes of the first half (in Nevada high school basketball there are two 16-minute halves and no shot clock), Foothills Christian hung with the defending California Open Division state champions.
Towards the end of the first half, Mr. Basketball USA candidate Stanley Johnson began to take over the game with strong drives to the basket. The No. 1 ranked prospect in the country by the Hoop Scoop finished with 42 points on 16-of-24 shooting, including 4-of-7 3-pointers. Johnson also had seven steals.
Sophomore center M.J. Cage continues to play well for 6-0 Mater Dei, which entered the Tarkanian Classic No. 6 in the Student Sports FAB 50. Cage had 16 points and 18 rebounds. Junior guard La ‘Vette Parker also had a solid game for the Monarchs, finishing with 13 points.
Sophomore T.J. Leaf had a couple of impressive blocked shots on Johnson early and was the impact player for Foothills Christian. He made 11-of-19 shots, including 3-of-5 3-pointers and finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, and the two blocks.
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 63, Lynwood (Calif.) 43
The Gaels used a balanced performance to pull away from the Knights and advance to play Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) on Thursday at 3:20 pm in the Platinum Division.
Junior center Stephen Zimmerman and senior point guard Noah Robotham each scored 16 points for Bishop Gorman (3-2), which comes into the event ranked No. 17 in the Student Sports FAB 50. Junior forward Chase Jeter chipped in 15 points.
After losing to FAB 50 No. 3 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) at last weekend’s Hoophall West, Gorman got off to a quick start against Lynwood. It led 18-3 and 22-7 before Lynwood made it somewhat of a competitive affair behind the play of Kevin Miller.
The senior guard netted 22 points and impressed scouts and media with his floor generalship.
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 79, Faith Baptist Christian Academy (Ludowici, Ga.) 48
The nation’s No. 2 ranked team had to wait for its foe to arrive at Bishop Gorman from McCarron International Airport, but it didn’t let the half ann hour wait affect its performance once the Peach State club hit the gym.
It wasn’t the prettiest victory, but Findlay Prep (15-1) eventually pulled away by the fast break baskets of Kansas recruit Kelly Oubre Jr. He finished with 24 points and had four highlight dunks, including one in the second half that created noise from an otherwise tame crowd.
Forward Craig Victor, headed to Arizona, added 15 points while sophomore point guard Derryck Thornton Jr. added 14 points.
Findlay Prep led 35-19 at halftime.
Baptist Christian Academy was led by seniors guards Jahman Dalancy and Rashaan Benson with 11 points apiece
Findlay’s next game at the Tarkanian Classic could be the best of the tournament. The Pilots will square off against FAB 50 No. 8 Prime Prep (Fort Worth, Texas) Friday at the Orleans Arena in a game televised by CBS Sports Network.
“We need to continue to improve our defense,” Findlay Prep head coach Jerome Williams said. “Offensively we have to play to our strengths, which is to get the ball inside. All of our forwards are shooting over 50 percent inside.”
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