NHSI Semifinal Wrap-Up
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Coppin State University was rocking during NHSI semi action.
April 5, 2010 – Now that the National High School Invitational has concluded, a look back can occur, one in which semifinal games and performances are reviewed. Following is just that, and it’s meant as a companion to NHSI ‘Chip’ Day Results, published yesterday.
Thrills and Chills
Eventual runner-up Montverde (FL) and fellow Sunshine State school Winter Park battled in semifinal action, with the former prevailing 62-56 in overtime. Montverde’s victory represented a beef-settlement of sorts, as Winter Park defeated them in overtime earlier this season.
Saturday’s contest could have concluded similarly: Tied at 51 with nine seconds left in regulation, Winter Park (29-6) inbounded the ball, with the task of racing full court to score. All in attendance assumed junior guard Austin Rivers (26 points, 11 rebounds) would likely race down court for the shot attempt. Unfortunately it ended with junior guard James Ferrell turning the rock over 35 feet from the rim.
Kaleb Clyburn draws a charge against Austin Rivers.
Winter Park’s coach, Dave Bailey, afterward described the play’s
design as “The ball (went) to Adam (Jones, a senior forward) at
first…but Austin was running (up the side of the court) that way…We
thought he could get one on one to the basket”.
Bailey also noted the difference between Montverde now and before as “They
took advantage of their guard size” in addition to pressing “the
whole time”.
That would include senior swingmen Jamail Jones and James Bell, contributors of 25 points, eight rebounds and 17 points, 11 rebounds, respectively. But it was junior guard DeForest Carter who stole the show and consequently game in OT, scoring two , three point plays – one the old fashion way – and snagging a key rebound which sealed Winter Park’s fate.
“Kaleb (Clyburn, senior point guard) told me to get to the basket” said Carter, who dropped seven points and four caroms for Montverde (23-5).
Outworked
“We got outworked, bottom line” opined Mountain State’s head coach, Rodney Crawford, commenting on his squad’s 68-53 defeat to eventual champion Findlay (NV).
Crawford was referencing the 40-29 rebounding disparity his team suffered – senior guard Justin Martin’s five caroms, in addition to 14 points leading Mountain State (22-4), despite the presence of two seven footers and other big players emphasizes the issue.
Corey Joseph was relentless offensively.
But one could also apply the ‘outworked’ mantra to Findlay’s senior guard, Corey Joseph production; scoring 32 points and pulling down five rebounds, Joseph was dominant, hitting multiple key shots. Of the Canadian-born guard, Mountain State’s Crawford admiringly said “You can’t game plan against him…You try and get everybody on the same page (defensively). He has no known weaknesses…The only thing can do collectively as a team is force him to go where you want him to go and let the chips fall where they may”.
After commenting of Joseph “he makes big shots for us”, Findlay
head man Mike Peck addressed his team’s board domination, saying
“We got 23 of our 29 missed (shots)”, labeling those offensive
rebounds workmanlike. Senior Findlay (32-2) forwards Tristan Thompson
(nine points, eight rebounds) and Godwin Okonji (four points, nine rebounds
– eight offensive) were big factors. Of Findlay’s hard hat
effort, Thompson opined “I worked for everything I got”.
Click here for box scores of the girls games, with copious statistical
information. (Girls One and Two)
All-Tournament Teams as selected by NHSI officials:
Boys
Austin Rivers, 6’4”, junior guard, Winter Park
Tristan Thompson, 6’9”, senior forward, Findlay
James Bell, 6’5” senior forward, Montverde
Jamail Jones, 6’5” senior swingman, Montverde
Corey Joseph (MVP), 6’2” senior point guard, Findlay
Corey Joseph, MVP
Girls
Alex Smith, Peddie, 6’2” senior guard, Peddie
Ariel Johnson, 6’5” senior center, Oak Hill
Kianna Conner, 5’5” senior guard, Dillard
Nekole Johnson, 5’11” senior guard, Peddie
Haley Peters (MVP), 6’3”, senior forward, Peddie