By Dave Krider
MaxPreps.com
Powerful St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.) staked a strong claim to the nation's No. 1 ranking, but junior-dominated American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) captivated fans, opposing coaches and media members alike during the 35th annual Bank of America City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.
The Gray Bees raised their record to 10-0 with an impressive 68-55 victory over previously unbeaten Chester, Pa., in Saturday night's championship game before a capacity crowd of 2,200 at the Bishop Verot gymnasium. Chester, also highly ranked, fell to 8-1, and was not in contention after the first quarter. It was a triumph of size and strength over speed.
St. Benedict's 34-year-old coach, Danny Hurley, who has a sizzling 165-16 record in his seventh season, told MaxPreps, "Jersey never had won it (City of Palms). That's why we selected it. It's big."
The Gray Bees struck down the "curse" which had seen always-talented St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) finish runner-up four times. They demolished a strong field while going 4-0 and proved they are No. 1 in the nation - at least for now.
The son of legendary Bob Hurley, who has won over 900 games at St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), Danny Hurley couldn't be blamed for eyeing his school's first national title. "I'd love to," he said. "My dad is in that club. (St. Anthony is the only New Jersey team to win a national title in basketball.)"
Hurley did not see this coming. He recalled, "During practices in November, we said to ourselves that being 7-3 (at this point) would be realistic. We didn't look great. We're not as talented as we have been, but we're fitting. Great players make you look good."
MVP honors went to Samardo Samuels, who scored 20 points in the championship game. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound senior, who has signed with Louisville, noted, "We had to work hard for it. I stay in the gym every day. I'm never going to stop working hard at basketball. I look up to Dwight Howard."
Despite his bulk, Samuels has a nice shooting touch from 15 feet and he can run the floor. On one occasion, Hurley yelled "Samardo, no!" as the big guy began dribbling coast to coast, but after briefly losing control of the ball he completed the task for an easy basket. He received a generous round of applause when he was taken out with 31.1 seconds left and flashed a big smile as he headed for the bench.
The Gray Bees' other inside strongman, 6-9, 255-pound junior Gregory Echenique, dominated with 17 rebounds and three blocks in the final. Scoring 12 points each were 6-2 senior point guard Mike Machado, 6-2 junior shooting guard Tamir Jackson and 6-8 sophomore forward Tristan Thompson, a star of the future.
"They were too big and poised," Chester coach Fred Pickett said of the Gray Bees. "They are the best we've seen so far. (Samuels) is a man out there. We tried our best to contain him."
Senior point guard Karon Burton paced Chester with 15 points and 6-7 senior Brandon Robinson made six blocks.
In the semifinals, the Gray Bees defeated Helen Cox (Harvey, La.), 64-50, in a showdown of star big men. Samuels dominated with 25 points and five blocked shots. Echenique set the pace with 13 rebounds and Michado had four steals. Highly-ranked Greg Monroe, a 6-10 senior, shot just 5-for-17 for Helen Cox, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The game drew an overflow crowd of 2,500 and close to 200 had to be turned away.
Bringing St. Benedict's a little extra good luck against Helen Cox was the presence of the coach's older brother, former Duke star Bobby Hurley, who sat behind the bench with one of his young daughters.
Samuels also dominated during St. Benedict's first two games. He had 26 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in a 72-44 quarterfinal rout of previously unbeaten Kinston, ranked No. 1 in North Carolina. In the opener he produced 23 points as the Gray Bees crushed Florida's No. 1-ranked Class 5A team, Gainesville, 87-32.
Future foes should be warned that transfer Steve Frankoski soon will be eligible. Hurley says the 6-1 junior guard is a great shooter and that could mean "lights out" for all future foes. The Gray Bees have proven to be mighty lethal even without him.
American Heritage (Fla.)
Though the Patriots only split four games, they were the most exciting team in the tournament. They have tremendous guards who can score at will and four starters are underclassmen. Their lone senior starter, 6-11 Eloy Vargas, has been hobbled by an ankle injury and played in just the first two games. The Florida signee had 21 points and 16 rebounds during an opening 82-78 overtime loss to New Hope (Columbus, Miss.).
Stealing the show against New Hope was Magic Mite, otherwise known as Raymond Taylor, a 5-5, 142-pound junior point guard. Taylor is a great ball handler, has exceptional quickness and can drill threes with the best of them. His resume included 24 points, six steals, five assists and only four turnovers. He may be the USA's best little guy since Tyrone "Mugsy" Bogues quarterbacked Baltimore Dunbar to the national championship in the 1982-83 season. Bogues, who stood just 5-foot-3, made it all the way to the NBA. If you've watched Speedy Gonzales on television cartoons, you know what Taylor looks like zipping up and down the court and destroying the middle of a defense. Magic Mite also has an infectious smile.
"That little guy is awesome," American Heritage coach Danny Herz said of Taylor. "I love that little guy. He's got heart and he's a good student. He's one of a kind. He's exciting and so competitive. He loves to compete."
New Hope coach Robert Byrd observed that Taylor "is a jet out there. He's the quickest kid I've ever seen." Helen Cox coach Tyron Mouzon noted, "He's quick and has a lot of energy. If he takes a little pizzazz out of his game, he'll be even better."
And then they have Kenny Boynton, a 6-2 junior guard who entered the tourney with a 39.5 scoring average and one 50-point effort. His opening game of 13 points (5-of-17 shooting) was an aberration because he played only 19 minutes in the 36-minute contest. Asked about New Hope's box-and-one, then triangle-and-two defenses against Boynton, Herz replied, "Fouls impacted Kenny more than anything."
Well, Boynton wasted no time the next day as he converted a lob pass into an opening dunk, then drilled a three for a 5-0 lead. He finished with 35 points as the Patriots edged host Bishop Verot (Fort Myers), 63-59. Taylor added 16 points and seven assists.
In their third outing the Patriots dropped a 72-70 heartbreaker to Hales Franciscan (Chicago, Ill.) despite 30 points by Boynton. Taylor added 15 points and seven assists, making just three turnovers while playing the entire game. The third starting guard, Everton Chin, a 5-10 junior, also scored 15 points.
With most sessions not ending until midnight or 1 a.m., it wasn't surprising that a mere 26 persons were in the bleachers at 8:30 a.m. for the start of the consolation round on the final day. The multitude of fans not present, however, simply missed the greatest individual performance in the 35-year history of the tournament.
The Patriots vaulted into an early 17-2 lead against Fort Myers Dunbar, but the score was knotted at 27 early in the second quarter. The closeness was one of the major reasons that Boynton played the full game and exploded for a phenomenal tourney-record 61 points as American Heritage pulled away late to post an 88-71 victory. The previous record was 56 points by Teddy Dupay of Mariner (Cape Coral, Fla.) in 1997.
Boynton drilled 22-of-33 from the field, including 11-of-18 from three-point range, and added 6-of-8 from the free throw line. He was sinking NBA threes with ease and scoring in every possible way. He tied the record when he was fouled and his three-pointer miraculously banked in from the left side with 1:33 left. He later hit another three and added a driving basket at the final buzzer.
Prior to the next contest, Boynton was presented the game ball. Afterwards he told the media, "Coming into the game, we needed a push. I was feeling it today. In the second half, I was feeling it even more. When I got to 53, I heard (someone) say that I only needed four more points. (Raymond Taylor) helps me a lot. He is one of the fastest dudes in the country and takes a lot of pressure off of me."
Herz calls Boynton "a great kid. He works hard and is a good student. There are no negatives about that kid."
Dunbar coach Andre McGill admitted, "We didn't expect him to shoot like that. We saw his last game and he was normal. All you can do is pray. We try to pride ourselves in defense, but once he got hot - he was shooting on the double teams."
One other thing which should not be missed is that the competitive Boynton often guards the opponent's best scorer. He went head-to-head with the likes of Dale Hughes (New Hope) and Matt Humphrey (Hales Franciscan) during the tourney.
Chester (Pa.)
Prior to their title-game loss to St. Benedict's, the Clippers used scoring balance and great guard play to post three victories. There may not be another team in the country that can match the speed of their starting five. Their theme song should be "Come Fly With Me."
Pennsylvania's defending state champions opened with a 66-41 victory over Bishop Verot as their pressure defense forced 25 turnovers. Karon Burton, a 5-9 senior point guard, lit the spark with 18 points, seven assists and four steals.
The Clippers forced 20 turnovers en route to an 83-69 victory over Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.). Pittsburgh signee Nasir Robinson, a 6-5, 220-pound senior, was high with 26 points and added 11 rebounds. Burton contributed 22 points, nine assists and three steals. Russell Johnson, a 6-6 senior, was high with 14 rebounds.
In the semifinals, Chester handed talented Holy Cross (Flushing, N.Y.) its first loss, 62-53, with four players scoring in double figures. Rahlir Jefferson, a 6-5 junior, was high with 18 points, followed by Burton with 16.
Holy Cross (Flushing, N.Y.)
The well-coached Knights opened with an 81-62 victory over Monsignor Pace (Miami, Fla.) as 6-6, 205-pound Virginia signee Sylven Landesberg scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Kayvon Roberts, a 6-4 senior sharpshooter, added 18 points. Landesberg is strong, runs the floor very well and is equally effective inside and out.
Landesberg, who proved himself to be one of the nation's premier players, fired in 31 points and again speared 11 rebounds during a 66-59 victory against previously unbeaten Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.) in the quarterfinals. He owned the game in the second half. He finished with 10-of-15 from the field and 10-of-13 from the foul line in a highly efficient performance.
Holy Cross coach Paul Gilvary made a key move when he sent a double-team after Taft's brilliant senior point guard, Larry Drew, and made him give up the ball often during the latter stages of the game. The North Carolina signee still finished with 18 points, but he was dominating when he was able to retain the ball and create.
During the semifinal loss to Chester, Landesberg had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while 6-1 senior guard Blaise French contributed 18 points.
Landesberg really rose to the occasion as Holy Cross routed Helen Cox, 74-56, in the third-place contest. He pumped in 44 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. He made 13-of-20 from the field and 16-of-17 from the free throw line. He was unstoppable on drives and also showed solid three-point range. Along the way he broke his school's career scoring record, which now stands at 1,412 points.
Helen Cox (Harvey, La.)
The Cougars participated in the tourney with heavy hearts, because on opening day senior guard Justin Fairman lost his 15-year-old brother, Dominic, who died of an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials helped the players by sending four grief counselors. Players also were provided black bands to wear on their jerseys for the remainder of the season.
Nevertheless, the Cougars, who entered the tourney with a 13-1 record (only loss to Houston Yates), opened with a 53-41 victory over John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.) as Taj Givens, a 6-5 junior, came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points.
In the quarterfinals, the Cougars were beaten by New Hope (Columbus, Miss.), 75-62, in overtime despite this line on 6-10 senior star Greg Monroe: 30 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals. Givens again played big with 20 points.
Monroe's efforts were especially impressive, because they came against 6-9, 240-pound New Hope center Rashanti Harris. "I told him he needed to dominate - to step it up," coach Tyron Mouzon related. "I told him he had the quickness on him. He's a very gifted kid."
Following the New Hope game, Monroe was surrounded by young and old autograph seekers. He signed footballs, programs, etc. Fans also had pictures taken with him - something they can treasure when he reaches the NBA.
Monroe had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the third-place loss to Holy Cross and 6-2 senior guard Calvin Thompson also had 16 points.
New Hope (Columbus, Miss.)
Mississippi's No. 1 team has taken some lumps because coach Robert Byrd admits, "I may have over-scheduled." However, the Trojans have two of the nation's most talented unsigned seniors. Rashanti Harris is a powerful 6-9, 240-pound center, while 6-2 guard Dale Hughes can shoot with the best. They could be a package deal to either Ole Miss or Mississippi State.
During the Trojans' overtime victory against American Heritage, Harris powered his way to 32 points and a dominating 25 rebounds. Hughes took game honors, though, with 34 points. In the loss to Helen Cox, Harris had 28 points and 12 rebounds after he shook off the first-quarter intimidation of Greg Monroe, while Hughes added 18 points.
Hughes had 21 points and Harris grabbed 15 rebounds in a 71-60 victory over Scott County. Hughes scored 23 points, while Harris had 20 points and six blocks during a disappointing final-day loss to Kinston, N.C., 84-70.
Hales Franciscan (Chicago, Ill.)
Many players had to get up at 5 a.m. on Wednesday and take final exams before the team could catch an afternoon flight to Fort Myers. The Spartans arrived at 6:30 p.m. and had to play Scott County at 11 that night. It's not surprising they lost, 92-74, despite putting four players into double figures, but it's also no wonder that they were given the tournament's Sportsmanship Award.
The next night, however, they romped past Charlotte (Punta Gorda, Fla.), 81-53, as 6-5 Oregon signee Matt Humphrey had 22 points, six steals and four assists. In the next round they nipped American Heritage, 72-70, with Humphrey pumping in 25 points.
They then won the consolation title with a 63-54 triumph over Monsignor Pace. Junior guard D.J. Cooper was the man of the hour with 18 points, five assists and three steals. Phillip Williams, a 5-10 senior sharpshooter, was close behind with 15 points.
Other Game Highlights
* Monsignor Pace senior Ray Shipman, a 6-5 Miami signee, scored 25 points against Holy Cross and 20 each against Gainesville (Fla.) and Hales Franciscan.
* John Carroll junior Isaiah Philmore, a versatile 6-7, 205-pound forward, is a star of the future. He had 29 points and 14 rebounds against Bishop Verot, 20 points against Fort Myers Dunbar and 18 points against Helen Cox.
* Other top performances were turned in by Charlotte's Dago Pena, a 6-6 senior guard, who had 33 points during an 80-70 overtime loss to Gainesville; Gainesville's Greg Gantt, an outstanding 6-2 junior, who had 32 points during a 72-65 loss to Monsignor Pace; Scott County's Tyler Portwood, a 6-5 senior guard, who had 29 points in a 71-60 victory over New Hope; Dunbar's David Paulk, a 6-5 sophomore, who had 28 points and 12 rebounds in an 88-71 loss to American Heritage; and Taft's Eugene Phelps, a 6-6 Long Beach State signee, who had 25 points (10-of-11 from the field) in a 76-59 fifth-place victory over Scott County.
Sunshine Series
* One of several teams to play just a single game in the tournament, nationally-ranked Montverde (Fla.) Academy let a 13-point, fourth-quarter lead slip away, but still defeated Boca Raton, Fla., 61-49, in overtime. The 12-0 Eagles were led by Texas A&M signee Dashan Harris, a 6-0 senior point guard, who had 18 points, six steals and four assists. Marcus Capers, a 6-5 senior wing, was high with 11 rebounds.
* Olympia (Orlando, Fla.) - starting five juniors - nipped Fayette County (Fayetteville, Ga.), 81-79, with three players scoring over 20 points. William Green (6-6) and Dexter Fields (6-2) each scored 22, while 5-10 Martell Buie tallied 21. The losers' Noel Johnson, a talented 6-7 junior, took game honors with 31 points.
Potpourri
* The slam-dunk contest was won by 5-11 senior Brandon Boykin of Fayette County (Fayetteville, Ga.), who has a 43-inch vertical jump. However, the most interesting dunk was made by Eddie Murray, a 6-8 senior from host Bishop Verot. He did it by leaping over senior cheerleader Lexi Edwards, who was positioned in an unusual handstand split.
* The Hometown Hero Award was presented to Calvin Thompson, a 6-2 senior guard from Helen Cox, who wrote an outstanding essay about his school in the tournament program. He has a 4.2 GPA and is a team captain.
* The Most Outstanding Coach Award went to personable Derrick Taylor of Taft.
* The championship game was big-time all the way. Officials employed rock music and spotlight introductions. Veteran announcer Chris Diller even donned a tuxedo.
* The City of Palms probably is the most family-oriented Christmas tournament in the country. Host Bishop Verot provides all the personnel from ball boys who hope some day to play in the tourney to parents who cook up some great food under a large tent behind the gym. It also has become a meeting place for friends who may see each other only once a year.
* As long as Donnie Wilkie continues to pick the teams, the City of Palms will remain one of the country's finest tournaments. For next year he already has lined up the likes of Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) with the 6-10 Wear twins and Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) with 6-5 Lance Stephenson.