Video: LaMelo Ball's return to high school basketball
SPIRE Institute takes on The Hill School over the weekend. LaMelo Ball put on a show in his first high school basketball game since March 14, 2017, posting 21 points and 10 assists in a 96-84
SPIRE Institute (Geneva, Ohio) win at a packed
Hill School (Pottstown, Pa.) on Saturday.
The
highly-regarded Class of 2019 point guard made plenty of national
headlines this week after announcing his return to high school
basketball. From a LeBron-like billboard popping up in downtown
Cleveland on Friday, saying "Welcome to Ohio, LaMelo" to his
announcement of plans to attend college.
Ball's senior debut came with much
scrutiny as many have questioned his amateur eligibility after dabbling
in the professional ranks and featuring his own signature shoe for the
Big Baller Brand.
LaMelo Ball had 20 points and 10 assists in his debut with SPIRE Institute on Saturday.
Photo by John Jones
Perennial powerhouses
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.),
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and
St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)
have already announced that they have canceled contests with
SPIRE Institute since his arrival, citing his professional stints.
During
his absence from high school hoops, the youngest of the Ball brothers
played professionally overseas in Lithuania before returning to the
United States to spearhead the Junior Basketball Association.
Ball's last season of high school basketball was his sophomore season in 2016-17. He led
Chino Hills (Calif.) to a 30-3 finish, averaging 27.5 points, 9.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.
On Saturday, Ball made seven baskets, a 3-pointer to start in the first quarter
and one to finish things off in the fourth. He scored four baskets in
the third quarter when SPIRE took control. Most of Ball's assists went to Michigan State-bound
Mark "Rocket" Watts, who finished with 35 points, including eight 3-pointers.
Ball was a MaxPreps first team Sophomore All-American when he put together a
number of impressive performances, highlighted by his 92 point game in Chino Hills' 146-123 win over Los
Osos.
SPIRE Institue senior LaMelo Ball during warm-ups of Saturday's 96-84 win at Hill School.
Photo by John Jones
LaMelo Ball once scored 92 points in a high school game.
Photo by John Jones
LaMelo Ball, SPIRE Institute.
Photo by John Jones
LaMelo Ball has always been good with his off (left) hand.
Photo by John Jones
LaMelo Ball dished 10 assists on Saturday.
Photo by John Jones
