Once again, the Slam Dunk to the Beach returned to Cape Henlopen High School to showcase some of the brightest programs and players on the high school level. Day One featured a loaded line-up of thrilling games and big time performances for those in attendance. For those who couldn't make it, here is what went down.
Bishop McNamara (MD) vs Smyrna High School (DE) -
McNamara sophomore Garrett Kirkland scored a career high 21 points in a much needed win
A career explosion for Bishop McNamara sophomore guard Garrett Kirkland (21 points/8 of 13 FG/5 of 9 3-FG) carried the Mustangs to 31-26 halftime lead over a talented Smyrna team, however it was the poise and execution of sophomore standouts Johnathan McGriff and Makhi Mitchell down the stretch that proved to be the difference as the Mustangs got a much needed win over the Eagle 52-49. McGriff finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assist while Mitchell added 14 points and 6 rebounds in the win. Smyrna was led by forward Jaymeir Garnett who finished with 13 points and 6 rebounds while guard Caleb Matthews added 13 points respectively.
Smyrna guard Caleb Matthews posted 13 points in the loss
Johnathan McGriff poise late was key to McNamara's victory
Guard Jaymeir Garnett posted 13 points and 6 rebounds
Makhi Mitchell shot 60 percent from the field in a highly efficient performance
Patrick School (NJ) vs St Raymond's (NY) -
Sharpshooter Jamir Harris was on target all game long
Senior guard Jamir Harris and senior center Nick Richards combined for 23 points a 18 rebounds as the Patrick School knocked off a feisty St Raymond's team 70-65. Harris, a Minnesota commit, finished with a team high 16 points on an efficient 6 of 12 shooting from the field while Kentucky commit Nick Richards posted 7 points and a game high 15 rebounds. It was a back an forth battle through three quarters as St Raymond's held a narrow 52-50 lead, then the Patrick School turned up the intensity on defense. Celtics held the Ravens to 23 percent shooting in the fourth quarter despite the offensive onslaught by St Raymond's senior guard Isaiah Washington scoring 13 of his game high 23 points in the second half. Guard Marcus McClary added 13 points for St Patricks while Nicolas Rivera and Omar Silverio posted 13 and 10 points for St Raymond's in a losing effort.
Isaiah Washington is as difficult a player to defend as there is on the high school level
Center Nick Richards dominated the boards with a game high 15 rebounds
Nicolas Rivera made his presence felt with 13 points and 6 rebounds
Bishop Loughlin (NY) vs Baltimore Polytechnic (MD) -
Keith Williams leadership was key in Bishop Loughlins win
Bishop Loughlin senior guard Keith Williams scored a game high 26 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to lead the Lions to a 73-67 win over Baltimore Polytechnic. Bishop Loughlin jumped out to a 22-13 first quarter lead thanks to the shooting of junior point guard Markquis Nowell (16 points), however the battle was just beginning. Baltimore Poly responded in kind behind senior forward and Temple commit De'Vondre Perry (23 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks) and Demetrius Mims (21 points). Both teams engaged in a back an forth war for the remainder of the game until Williams sealed the win late with clutch free throw shooting.
De'Vondre Perry put on arguably the best performance of day one
Point guard Markquis Nowell was the spark in Bishop Loughlins big first quarter scoring run
Demetrius Mims impressed with his 21 points on 8 of 15 shooting
Archbishop Wood (PA) vs Roselle Catholic (NJ) -
Collin Gillespie shot lights out in the win over Roselle Catholic
Archbishop Wood shot an astounding 61 percent from 3-point range on their way to upsetting #15 Roselle Catholic 83-72. Roselle's Naz Reid finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, guards Kahlil Whitney added 19 points and Nathaniel Pierre-Louis scored an efficient 17 points, yet, the couldn't match the balanced offensive explosion from Archbishop Wood. Senior guard Collin Gillespie (21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assist), junior guard Tyree Pickron (19 points), senior wing Matt Cerruti (15 points and 7 rebounds) and junior guard Andrew Funk (15 points) all took turns making key plays and shooting lights out to ensure victory for the Vikings.
Naz Reid was dominant inside, posting a double double with 21 points and 11 rebounds
Tyree Pickron simply couldn't be defended as he posted 19 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field and 5 of 7 shooting from 3-point range
Roselle guard Kahlil Whitney put up a valiant fight all night with 19 points on 6 of 12 shooting
Ss. Neumann-Goretti (PA) vs Paul VI (VA) -
Paul VI wing Brandon Slater came up big in the win over Neumann Goretti
Freshman guard Jeremy Roach and junior forward Brandon Slater poured in 14 points each to lead Paul VI to a big win over #17 Neumann Goretti 56-50. Paul VI zone defense stalled Neumann Goretti offense who were playing without star point guard and Kentucky commit Quade Green. Senior forward and Villanova commit Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree scored a game high 21 points in the loss.
Cape Henlopen High School (DE) vs Mt. Pleasant (DE) -
Freshman guard Cory Barnes and junior forward combined to score 24 of Cape Henlopens 42 points, however, it wasn't enough as they fell to Mount Pleasant 48-42 in the day one finale. Sophomore point guard Fah'Mir Ali posted a high of 13 points to pace Mount Pleasant.