City Of Palms Day 4: Defending State Champions Go Toe To Toe
FORT MYERS, DEC. 21, 2017 –Four-star junior forward C.J. Walker had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Dejuan Lockett added nine points (on 4-of-4 shooting) and seven rebounds, leading Orlando Christian Prep to a 54-49 victory over Lakewood Ranch in the first game of Thursday’s action at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.
Walker, who headed to the locker room after a hard fall in the second quarter, also had four blocks in the game.
The Warriors, whose largest led was seven points, were unable to get an extended run against the Mustangs with the exception of a 10-2 run that started in the third quarter with the Warriors trailing 36-35. Defensively, O.C.P. was stout all game. Lakewood Ranch never scored more than 15 points in any quarter and shot just 27.7 percent for the game.
OCP played half of the game without five-star forward Nassir Little (North Carolina) who suffered a right foot injury in a game against P.K. Yonge and aggravated a left ankle injury that he sustained in July. Little finished with just four points on 2-of-10 shooting, but he did grab seven rebounds.
Senior Evan Spiller led Lakewood Ranch with a game high 15 points, junior Joshua Young had a game high 14 rebounds.
MIAMI CHRISTIAN RALLIES, THEN HOLDS OFF OSCEOLA
In a match up of state champions from last season, Miami Christian battled back from an early deficit to defeat Osceola 70-63.
Osceola ran out to an 11-2 lead in the first quarter and grew that margin to 27-16 before the Victors fought back to only trail the Kowboys 35-33 at halftime. When they came out of the locker room Miami Christian had more energy, made 61.5 percent of their field goals in the third quarter, used ball screens very effectively and used an effective full court press at a high level to outscore Osceola 22-11 in the quarter.
Miami Christian took its first lead with 5:58 left in the third quarter and never trailed again.
Four Miami Christian players scored in double figures led by Diego Rivera’s 15 points. Jeffrey Hernandez had 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half, Miguel Diaz had 12 pints and Marcelo Perez added 10 points.
Senior point guard Neftali Alvarez didn't have his best shooting night but he finished with nine points and found his teammates for seven assists. Holding several offers, including a few high majors, Alvarez told FlaVarsity that he's being recruited the hardest by Arkansas State, VCU, Hofstra, Wichita State, Dayton, Akron and Massachusetts.
Osceola also had four players score in double-figures led by Jaduhkiss Soto had a game high 21 points. Isaiah Palermo had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Josh Marte had 10 points and four-star power forward Omar Payne added 11 points, nine rebounds and six blocks while dealing with foul trouble that limited him to 22 minutes of playing time.
MEMPHIS EAST OUTLASTS OAK RIDGE
James Wiseman’s rebound and putback with 2.7 seconds left completed Memphis East’s rally from a four-point deficit late in the fourth quarter to defeat Oak Ridge (Orlando) in a quarterfinal matchup.
The Mustangs were outscored 20-16 in the fourth quarter that featured a 7-0 run by the Pioneers to take a 60-55 lead with 2:31 left. One free throw and consecutive field goals later and the game was tied at 60 with 1:14 left to play.
Oak Ridge was unable to score and Memphis East took possession with just under a minute to play and held for the final shot. The Pioneers almost forced a turnover at midcourt then Alex Lomax (Wichita State) drove to the basket but missed and Wiseman was there to clean up the miss and score the winning basket.
Wiseman had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis East. Lomax had 16 points, seven assists and just one turnover in 32 minutes of playing time. Ryan Boyce (UAB) added 10 points.
Oak Ridge senior Emmitt Williams had a game high 21 points in defeat. Williams also grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots. Antwann Jones (Texas A&M) had 15 pints and Rob Perry added 10.