#OTRHoopsReport: Hoop Hall Classic Sunday Recap – January 18, 2016
Springfield, MASS., – Martin Luther King weekend is one of the premier times in the high school basketball season where teams can gain national exposure. At the epicenter of all the basketball around the country in the Hoop Hall Classic, which is played on the campus of Springfield College. The self-proclaimed ‘Birthplace of Basketball’ is the setting for some of the nation’s top teams to go head to head. Here is a rundown of Saturday’s action.
MacDuffie School (MA) 69 Wilbraham and Monson Academy (MA) 61
A game dominated by big men was ultimately decided by a handful of sharp shooters. Brad Calipari scored 17 points on five 3-pointers while his father, John Calipari, watched. MacDuffie big man Jordy Tshimanga scored 13 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in the win. The 6-11 center is one of the top available big men nationally. Coach Calipari not only had a vested interest in this game because of his son, but also because of Wilbraham and Monson’s star forward Wenyen Gabriel. The 5-star forward finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds and eight block shots in the loss.
Brad Calipari earns honors in a win w/ 17pts & 5reb for @MacduffieHoops. & @UKCoachCalipari sitting court side pic.twitter.com/4q7ToSH1LJ
— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 17, 2016
Brewster Academy (NH) 94 Vermont Academy (VT)
87 Brewster received big games from both of their stars. Available 2016 forward Taurean Thompson scored 23 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and block six shots in the win. Available class of 2016 guard Alpha Diallo turned in a big second half, which secured the win and finished with 21 points. Although Vermont Academy fell short in the loss, they can look to Bruce Brown as a bright spot. The Miami bound guard was terrific scoring 37 points and snagging eight rebounds. Brown continues to turn in consistent performances in front of our OTRHoopsReport.com evaluators.
Available ’16 PF Taurean Thompson 23pts, 16reb, 6blk at #HHclassic Stock-riser in #BCSReport https://t.co/mjlCje0fRz pic.twitter.com/w6mQX0S74V — Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 17, 2016
Findlay College Prep (NV) 91 St. Benedict’s Prep (NJ) 67
Markus Howard picked up where he left off on Saturday night by simply scorching the nets to a tune of 26 points. More impressively, he did not miss a shot. He was a perfect 9 for 9 from the field, which included six from behind the arc. The class of 2017 point guard is as good as they come at the position when it comes to putting up points. St. Benedict’s Prep guard David Beatty was a bright spot in the loss. He scored 20 points.
#HHclassic Markus Howard: 26pts on 6/6 3pt shooting w/ 6 assists. Findlay Prep knocks off St. Benedict’s pic.twitter.com/inKpgaS2qk
— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 17, 2016
Westtown (PA) 53 Potters House Christian Academy (FL) 35
After jumping out to a double digit first quarter lead, Potters House hit a scoring drought. The second half was all about Mohammed Bamba. His interior defense would single handedly change the course of this game. He finished with a triple double of 13 points, 16 rebounds and 10 block shots. Point guard Brandon Randolph was impressive as well scoring 16 points and earning Most Outstanding Player honors.
’17 PG Brandon Randolph w/ 18pts & MVP honors at #HHclassic. Westtown gets the win over Potter’s House. pic.twitter.com/Y4wzdFmkSF — Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 17, 2016
LaLumiere School (IN) 62 The Patrick School (NJ) 58
In the third overtime game of the weekend, LaLumiere would hang on to beat the well coached Patrick School. Brian Bowen proved why he is a 5-star prospect scoring 29 points in the win. This game was as well played of a ball game on both ends of the floor as any game all weekend long. Bryce Aiken of The Patrick School finished with 17 points.
’17 Brian Bowen 29 points in a win at #HHclassic. He’s a 5* prospect in our #BCSReport –> https://t.co/5wpniQV513 pic.twitter.com/eaHCEmK8Ub
— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 18, 2016
Putnam Science Academy (CT) 89 Commonwealth Academy (MA) 76
Although this game started out sloppily, it ended with a flurry of scoring. Hamidou Diallo is a high flying class of 2017 guard and he flew to the tune of 30 points and 11 rebounds in the win. UConn signee Mamadou Diarra added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Putnam. Jordan Vidal paced Commonwealth with 15 points in the loss.
#HHclassic Putnam defeats Commonwealth 89-76 ’17 Hamidou Diallo w/ 30pts & 11reb #BCSReport https://t.co/5wpniQV513 pic.twitter.com/achD1EWt0I
— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 18, 2016
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Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB
