NHSI First Day Action
Ron Bailey, Publisher
The stage is set for great action in today's semi-final action.
April 4, 2009 – The Inaugural National High School Invitational (NHSI) began yesterday, thrilling the large crowds at Georgetown Prep’s North Bethesda, MD- based Hanley Center. Designed and implemented by ESPN Rise, the three day tournament was conceived as the closest thing to a boy’s high school national championship, as ESPN Rise’s first, second, sixth, and ninth ranked schools have joined four other schools in single elimination battle.
Expectantly there have been many who have questioned or bemoaned the event, citing an extended high school season, increased pressure and the possible negative effects of greater visibility/attention as ill-effects. Montrose Christian’s (MD) coach, Stu Vetter, whose team is participating doesn’t share those concerns.
“I don’t see any negatives whatsoever” said the decorated coach, when asked to address NHSI’s detractors. “It’s just kids playing ball…They’d be playing AAU basketball anyway”.
Vetter went on to laud this tournament’s professional and “safe environment” before also opining playing on national TV via ESPN “is something these kids will remember all their lives”.
Four games occurred yesterday, with recaps following. Check back for continued coverage of the three day, confab (eight schools started), as well as all-star team information.
Tristan Thompson was a 'beast'.
Oak Hill Academy (#1) 83 Pinewood Prep (SC) 64
The top NHSI seeded Oak Hill Warriors found themselves tied at the half,
before returning from intermission and producing a 26-3 run. According
to Steve Smith, their recipe for success was fairly simple. “We
wanted to get the ball to Doron (Lamb), who was the best player on the
floor”.
Of course their defensive pressure also contributed, but Lamb was stellar,
contributing 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists, with only one
turnover.
His teammate and backcourt partner Lamont Jones (20 points, five rebounds) shared additional motivation, noting “I definitely didn’t want to tog home without a championship”.
Pinewood Prep, playing as the eighth seed, was led by Milton Jennings’ 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Kenny Manigault contributed 12 points, three boards and three dimes.
Regarding the Warriors’ second half run and relentless attack, Jennings joked “I looked around and asked is there anybody that can miss a shot?”
St. Benedicts (#6, NJ) 74 St. Frances (#37, MD) 65
In easily the most entertaining game of the day, St. Benedicts (seeded fourth) held off a game group from St. Frances in the first and fourth quarters. Their coach, Dan Hurley, was somewhat philosophical afterward, saying “It was a game of runs. We came out sharp and crisp, and then we got off track…sometimes when you hit a wall it’s hard to get it back”.
His team saw five players generate double figure scoring, with Tamir Jackson (14 points, five rebounds, three assists) leading the charge. Gilvydas Biruta (13 points, six rebounds) acknowledged his team’s penchant for widespread point production, saying “The thing is being unselfish”.
Terrell Vinson of St. Frances (formely the fifth seed) led all scorers with 29 points and seven rebounds, while his teammate Dante Holmes dropped 23 points.
Findlay Prep (#2/NV) 76 Mountain State (WV) 55
Findlay Prep, slotted first in the NHSI likes to run and gun, as its coach
Michael Peck believes if his team pushes the tempo, despite only having
eight players, their opponent will eventually falter. Three of those guys
are talented big men, providing him a formidable frontcourt rotation high
schools can’t match up with in terms of size and speed.
That’s right, speed. “We are hard on hour bigs” shared Peck. “We compare them to our guards...They get out and move”. Of his roster, he believes “We have a beautiful eight man rotation”.
Tristan Thompson (20 points, eight rebounds) a forward led not only the frontcourt guys but all players. Avery Bradley dropped 15 points, six rebounds and five helpers from the backcourt.
Noah Cottrill of Mountain State, which was the seventh NHSI seed, provided 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Najee Whitehead chipped in 16.
Montrose Christian (#9/MD) 88 Friends Central (#46/PA) 45
With the game decided by halftime, Montrose’s Vetter was able to clear his bench, as he noted “All of these guys work so hard…as a coach you want to give those guys a chance to play in this event”. In doing so he might have been able to create a competitive advantage in this back-to-back, quick turnaround event by providing his starters rest, of which he joked “I hope so”. Montrose is seeded third in this event.
Though Friends Central’s Dominic Morris led all scorers in points
(18), rebounds (nine) and minutes (32 or the complete game), Montrose
was dominant, as six players scored at least nine points. Terrence Ross
led the team with 16 points, while both Mouphtaou Yarou and Isaiah Armwood
dropped 12 apiece.
Friend’s was the NHSI sixth seed.
Saturday’s Lineup:
(1) Oak Hill vs (4) St. Benedict’s – 11:00am
(2) Findlay Prep vs (3) Montrose Christian – 1:00 pm
Girls:
(1) Riverdale Baptist vs (4) St. Frances – 4:30 pm
(2) Seton Keough vs (3)Oak Hill – 6:30 pm