Jordan Divens:
Regional Analyst Covering PA & Northern Ohio
Rockville, MD (Future150) -- The second day of the NHSI did not lack for excitement. When #1 takes on #5, and #2 takes on #4, you anticipate good games. However, today’s games weren’t good...they were great!
The day started off with perennial power Montverde Academy taking on first year program Prime Prep. Yes, that means Kasey Hill vs. Emmanuel Mudiay. It was D’Angelo Russell who stole the show in this one, however. This was a classic game of two of the best teams putting on the gloves and taking shots at each other all game long. In the end, Montverde won it on two late free throws by Russell. Emmanuel Mudiay had one last look at a three, but the refs swallowed their whistles and Montverde’s journey continued after a 57-55 victory.
Standout Players:
Emmanuel Mudiay: Mudiay is a standout junior who isn’t lacking for athleticism nor the ability to get to the bucket at will. In this one however, his 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists weren’t enough. Mudiay was matched up against one of the nation’s top senior guards in Kasey Hill and played some stingy defense, holding him to just five points on 2-7 shooting. If there was one chink in his armor it was handling the pressure of Montverde, which forced him into 10 turnovers during the game. Mudiay took the loss hard, saying this after; “I feel like I let all seven seniors down. I am going to work as hard as I can this summer. I don’t want to have this feeling my senior year”.
Dakari Johnson: As always, Johnson produced, and impacted the win in a big way. Dakari finished with 11 points and pulled down 16 boards and held the Prime Prep “big 3” (Jordan Mickey, Kaviar Shepherd, and Elijah Thomas) to just 23 combined points. Dakari and Hill are looking to go out on top and their last stop with their Montverde teammates is tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. against St Benedict’s Prep.
D’Angelo Russell: Russell was the man for Montverde today, finishing with an efficient 20 points on 7-13 from the field while playing without star guard Kasey Hill for much of the game due to foul trouble. He was the one who hit a big shot to close out the third, and the two game winning free throws in the final seconds. Russell still has one year left with his teammates and looks to continue his success as a top senior.
The second game of the day was between #1 and undefeated Findlay Prep, and St. Benedict’s Prep. This was a matchup of two of the nation’s most successful programs in high school basketball and did not lack for star power. The real story was the matchup of Nigel Williams-Goss and Tyler Ennis. In the end it came down to Tyler Ennis getting the final say as Williams-Goss missed a heartbreaking three in the waning seconds. The result was St. Benedict’s Prep taking down Findlay Prep 60-57, and with it, taking down Findlay Prep’s 54 game winning streak.
Standout Players:
Tyler Ennis: Ennis is a game changer who leads his team each and every time he takes the court. Today, Ennis was matched up against Nigel Williams-Goss and neither guard gave an inch in a back and forth matchup of two of the nation’s best. Tyler managed the game with only two turnovers, finishing with 19 points. He is just one more great point guard to come out of the state of New Jersey.
Isaiah Briscoe: Briscoe is an elite sophomore who uses his body to get what he wants around the basket. Isaiah uses his wide frame to get around guards and finish at the rim among the bigs. He finished 6-9 from the field with 14 points, including one big three- point shot which was one of the turning points in this one. Briscoe also showed his talent on the defensive end, finishing with five steals on the night. Remember this name in the upcoming years for the St. Benedict’s Gray Bees.
Nigel Williams-Goss: Nigel turned in yet another big performance for Findlay Prep, this the last of his storied high school career. Williams-Goss is used to leading his team back from a fourth quarter deficit and carrying them to the finish line. Tonight his late game heroics didn’t quite turn out the way he was expecting. Nigel missed the game tying three and was overcome with emotion afterwards, collapsing after the hard-fought loss. Williams-Goss finished with 20 points and six assists.
Comments:
Be the first to post. Just use the form below.