NHSHF Recap

Robert Stephens, Writer

NHSHF is a success. Again.

Keith Stevens CEO of Team Takeover brought in some of the top talent from across the nation in the 5th annual National High School Hoops Festival held at DeMatha High School this past weekend. The tournament featured some of the top teams from around the nation and the Washington, D.C. area.

In the first game Saturday Riverdale Baptist defeated Bullis
School 62-59. Riverdale is coached by former Howard Bison Lou Wilson who last week achieved the milestone of 500 victories in his coaching career.

Riverdale was led in scoring by Milan Durant who finished
his afternoon with 13 points and ten rebounds. Kevin Hill chipped in with 13 points while his teammate Brandon Peel controlled the boards grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring five points. Bullis Prep was led by Joe Hazel’s 15 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Thompson contributed 13 points while Niguel Pruitt dominated the boards grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking four shots.

Riverdale Baptist improved to 4-0 on the season. Bullis Prep
dropped to 6-2 for the year.

In the second game Episcopal (3-0) defeated Benedictine (Va.) 44-38 as senior guard Kethan Savage erupted for 22 points and seven rebounds. Senior Arnaud Adala-Moto grabbed 8 rebounds while scoring 6 points as the Maroon remained undefeated with the win.

Benedictine fell to 3-2 on the season.

The third game featured Paul VI considered one of the top
contenders for this years WCAC crown and North Carolina power West Charlotte.

Pat Holloway, a premier shooter, can pat it also.

Patrick Holloway led the Panthers to a 65-58 win over visitors from North Carolina as they upped their record to 4-0 on the season. Dunbar Tilman chipped in with 14 points and teammate Stanford Robinson added 10 points and six rebounds.

Micheal Brown led Charlotte with 16 points and 5 rebounds.
The Panthers held 6’8 Kennedy Meeks to five points and three rebounds.

Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Grace Prep (Tx.) two nationally ranked high schools met in the fourth game which featured seven foot Isaiah Austin of Prep and Georgetown recruit D’Vaunte Smith-Rivera.

Oak Hill defeated Grace Prep 68-59 behind the scoring of
Tyler Lewis who led all scorers with 22 points. Jordan Adams chipped in with 19 points while Hoya recruit Smith-Rivera finished with 15.

Grace Prep was led in scoring by Mickey Jordan’s 18 points. Isaiah Austin finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.

DeMatha in Saturday’s finale defeated Jamesville DeWitt (N.Y.) 83-57 as Kameron Taylor led the Stags with 17 points. Marcellus Bell chipped in with 15 points as the Stags improved their record to 3-0 on the season. James Robinson (12 points) and Jerami Grant (11 points) completed the balanced scoring attack of the host team.

On Sunday Paul VI defeated Episcopal 67-59 in a battle of
unbeatens which had a local neighborhood flavor as the two Virginia private schools battled it out.

The Panthers from the WCAC were led by Coleman Johnson and Stanford Robinson. Both players finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. Jamall Robinson and Tim Higgins finished with 11 points a piece as Paul VI improved their record to 5-0 on the season.

Episcopal considered one of the favorites in the IAC were led in scoring by Kethan Savage who finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Arnaud Adala-Moto chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds as the Maroon suffered their first loss of the year.

The Cadets of St. Johns dropped a 63-54 decision to James-Dewitt. The loss was the first of the season as their record fell to 3-1 on the season.

Darian Anderson led St. John’s with 19 points.
James-Dewitt was led by Tyler Cavanaugh’s 18 points. Dejuan Coleman, Dewitt’s 6’9 center finished with nine points and 14 rebounds.

Our Savior New American (N.Y.) edged National Christian
Academy 68-56. Christopher Opeka led the New York based team with 14 points, 16 rebounds and 12 blocked shots. The 6’9 Opeka is considered one of the top defenders on the east coast.

National Christian Academy was led by Zacarry Douglass who finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds.

"We brought in the top talent on the east coast and the nation", said tournament director Keith Stevens.