Chips Captured All Day Sunday at the National Invitational

July 14, 2009 New England Hoop News Staff

Championship Sunday at the National Invitational featured many top teams and players from New England as well as Canada, New York and Florida.  The 17u bracket had two unofficial winners (due in part to NCAA rules as well as the soreness of 3 days of basketball), while the 14, 15 and 16 championships featured many of the same programs (Expressions Elite, Grassroots Canada and New Heights).  In the end everyone came away with a title and just as important a chance to showcase themselves in front of college coaches all weekend long.

17u Semis – CBC defeat Expressions
After an impressive victory in the QFinals over NE Playaz (see below) the Expressions were riding high going into their matchup with CBC.  However, thanks in part to Dominique Langston and Steve Glowiak CBC was able to jump on Expressions from the start.  Langston  used his slashing and athletic ability to get into the lane and finish like he has all weekend.  While Glowiak showed his sweet stroke from the outside and when his defender pressed up on him, his underrated athleticism allowed for quick drives to the basket.

17u QFinals – Expressions knock out Playaz, 65-56
It was a matchup that had one side of the bleachers filled with parents and New England basketball fans, and the other side filled with college coaches from across the country.  The players on the floor did not disappoint as both teams leaned on their forwards for offensive production.  Rod Odom and Eric Ferguson contributed 8 and 9 points respectively while Dartaye Ruffin and Javon McRae had 10 points each.

The difference came in the second half as the 6’8 Odom (20 points) took Ruffin away from the basket and scored 8 straight points to begin the half that built up a double-digit lead.  Next, Worcester Academy’s Billy Baron (10 points, 5 assists) took over control of the game; he knocked down a huge 3 just as the Playaz seemed to be making a run.  The rest of the way Baron had the ball in his hands as the Expressions’ lead only slipped into single digits with a late Playaz 3 as time expired.

16u Finals – Expressions over New Heights, 39-36
A low scoring defensive battle didn’t mask the outstanding talent that was on display between the two squads.  Expressions didn’t make the trip for the First Eight, which New Heights captured, so this matchup was much anticipated by all involved.  Expressions were led by Jules Tavares (12 points) and Alex Murphy (11 points), while New Heights’ rising junior Jermaine Sanders continued his weekend dominance leading all scorers with 15 points.  In the end New Heights had several desperation 3 point attempts but they none could fall.

15u Finals – New Heights outlast Grassroots Canada, 81-76
Both teams featured outstanding guard play, which allowed them to cruise their pool play games on Saturday.  Sunday was not that much different until the final where both teams were very evenly matched.  However, Trey Dickerson’s 17 points, and key free throws down the stretch allowed New Heights to pull away from our neighbors to the north.

14u Finals – Grassroots Canada too much for New Heights, 82-48
Perhaps the most promising star of the entire tournament was hidden in the 14u final as Andrew Wiggins simply dominated.  The 6’5 wing forward has an abundance of skill and athleticism for someone his age…and he just turned 13!!  Less than one minute into the game, Wiggins caught an alley-oop on the break followed by another big dunk a couple minutes later.  Again, off his own miss Wiggins gathered the rebound then off of the vert flushed a one-handed dunk clean.  Equally as impressive, was his nice looking stroke from mid-range as well as nice shot fake and rip through move.  All in all…keep a look out for the name Andrew Wiggins!! You heard it hear first from NEHoopNews.com!!!

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