By Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
Day one of the Tip-Off Classic featured several extremely competitive contests and some of the top teams from the Northeast. Seton Hall University played host to five games in front of hundreds of fans, and a noticeable number of coaches and scouts from the Big East.
The first game featured the Don Bosco Ironmen taking on the Neptune High School Scarlet Fliers. Don Bosco dominated on both ends of the floor, en route to a 76-56 victory.
George Milligan did it all for the Ironmen. Displaying unrivaled athleticism on the court, Milligan poured in 29 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. He also had four assists and seven steals.
Don Bosco also received big contributions down low from Kyle Smyth.
Tashaun Williams led the way for Neptune in defeat. He amassed nine points and eight rebounds.
St. Raymond's edged a gritty Bloomfield Tech squad in the second game of the day.
The trip across the Hudson River was good to the Ravens. With the game tied at 49 after regulation, St. Raymond's was able to outlast the Spartans. Gerald Colds, a 6-0 guard who is committed to play at Drexel next year, led a balanced attack.
Wesley Jenkins, who will stay local and play at St. Peter's College next year, netted 31 points in defeat.
Linden High School held off Paterson Catholic in game three, thanks to a game-winning three pointer by Darrell Lampley in overtime.
Lampley, who finished with 31 points, was open for three only seconds after Paterson Catholic tied the game.
Linden nearly had the game won in regulation, but Matt Washington was able to toss in a put back shot for Paterson Catholic as time expired.
Linden received great guard play from Lampley and junior Desmond Wade. Jordan Theodore led Paterson Catholic offensively, finishing with 20 points.
Game four featured a prep school shootout between St. Benedict's of Newark and the Winchendon School of Massachusetts. In another close contest, Winchendon held on by the score of 69-66.
This game featured a host of Division I prospects. Cincinnati-bound Rashad Bishop put his talents on display at the Tip-Off Classic for the second year in a row. Last year, playing against St. Benedict's while still at Paterson Kennedy, Bishop dropped 36 points. Chris Smith chipped in 19 points and Jabari Edwards, heading to George Washington next year, had several electrifying dunks.
For Winchendon, future Villanova Wildcat Malcom Grant took the game over. With Villanova coach Jay Wright looking on, Grant scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial three-point play, to secure the victory for Winchendon.
In perhaps the most highly touted match up of the night, the St. Anthony's Friars defeated the Plainfield Cardinals, 66-55.
St. Anthony's used its patented defense, combined with the sharp shooting of seniors Miles Beatty and junior Mike Rosario, to open up a 20-point halftime lead.
Coach Bob Hurley's squad executed well on both offense and defense, despite mixing in 10 players for most of the game.
Jarell Thompson led Plainfield with 20 points.