Over the weekend, DeMatha Catholic High School (MD) and Gonzaga College High School (DC) traveled to Chicago for the Chicago Elite Classic. While, Paul VI was in North Carolina participating in the Southeast National Hoops Festival.
The Purple Eagles came into the Chicago Elite Classic as the No. 23 team in the country according to USA Today. Led by their dynamic duo of Chris Lykes and Prentiss Hubb, Gonzaga (2-0) had a big third quarter which fueled their 78-64 victory over Riverside-Brookfield. Lykes finished the game with 18 points and 4 assists while Hubb scored 16 points and collected 8 rebounds. Eddie Scott also had a good game for Gonzaga as he put up 15 points in the victory.
The 17 turnovers committed by Riverside-Brookfield really hurt them. Despite the turnovers, Riverside was 10-20 from the three point line. Guard Jalen Clanton knocked down four three’s to go along with 18 points. Senior center Mark Smith had a 19 points and 9 rebounds for Riverside-Brookfield. Gonzaga’s next game is on December 8 against Good Counsel.
No. 7 DeMatha took on LeBron James former high school St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH). The Stags had the lead for the most part of the game but the Fighting Irish was still hanging on. Early in the fourth quarter, St. Vincent-St. Mary took the lead but Washington signee Markelle Fultz and junior DJ Harvey didn’t let it last long.
A couple of big plays by Fultz helped DeMatha beat the Fighting Irish 65-57. Markelle finished the game with 24 points and he dished out 6 assists. One of his assists was a no look pass to freshman Justin Moore for a lay up. DJ Harvey, who is one of the top players in the 2017 class had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
6 foot 6 forward and Bulter commit Henry Baddley led the way for the Fighting Irish. He scored 23 points in the losing effort. DeMatha returns to Maryland with a 2-0. The Stags next game is a conference matchup at home against Archbishop Carroll on December 8. They will play Wise and Virginia Academy before a their big time matchup against Bishop McNamara two days before Christmas.
After scoring 31 points in the season opener, Paul VI forward had another big game in his return to Charlotte, N.C. The Louisville signee scored 35 points to go along with 11 rebounds in the 83-77 victory against Word of God Christian Academy (NC). VJ was named tournament MVP but he gave that honor to his teammate Brandon Slater who scored 19 points.
Paul VI is now 2-0 and their next game is against Virginia rival Bishop O’Connell (2-1) on Tuesday in Knights territory. Expect a very competitive game as both teams contain really good players. Paul VI has VJ King, guard Aaron Thompson, and center Corey Manigault.
On the other hand, O’Connell has senior guard Ako Adams who went for 17 points and 7 rebounds in their last against Clinton Christian. Then Nate Watson and Matt Lewis. Guard Matt Lewis scored 15 points against Clinton Christian and 12 points the game before that against St. John’s.
Here of Some Highlights from the weekend:
Ryan McFadden is a freshman at Iona College and alumni from DeMatha Catholic High School. He is the founder of Inside The Locker Room and sports writer for the Ionian. Follow him on Twitter @RMcFadden15.
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