Video: Zion Williamson returnsSouth Carolina phenom back from injury before heading to Hoophall.
After five days and 31 games, MaxPreps.com's Jordan Divens delivers headliners and highlights from the annual Spalding Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass.
Stars who shined the brightest
Zion Williamson (6-foot-7, Sr., SF), Spartanburg Day (Spartanburg, S.C.): There is no question the South Carolina star was the main attraction of this year's Hoophall Classic, keeping the Blake Arena fans exhilarated from the time his team took the floor through the final whistle. Williamson was impressive in a tough loss, finishing with 36 points. Despite playing in just his second game in well over a month, the internet phenomenon still showed his ability to knife through the defense with ease and get to the rim. Though highlight plays were few and far between because of a 2-3 zone implemented by Chino Hills (Calif.), he still found a way to be productive and leave the crowd satisfied.
Onyeka Okongwu (6-9, Jr., PF), Chino Hills (Calif.): Put up 35 points and 14 rebounds in the ESPN-televised showdown with Spartanburg Day despite battling foul trouble. Though he spent much of his time in the paint, he also showed the ability to step out and hit a three.
Bol Bol (7-3, Sr., PF/C), Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.): The future Oregon Duck had a jaw-dropping performance Sunday night, finishing with 31 points, five assists and four blocks in just 20 minutes. Bol pulled out all the stops, displaying his jumper, running the floor and using his incredible wingspan to posterize the defense. The sky is the limit for this athletic big man.
Carte'Are Gordon (6-8, Jr., PF), Webster Groves (Mo.): He took advantage of a mismatch down low against previously-unbeaten Mt. Vernon (N.Y.), finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks and four assists. The Statesmen looked great with running mate
Courtney Ramey back in action after missing the first half of the season with an injury.
Louis King (6-8, Sr., SF), Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.): Another future Oregon Duck, King came out firing, scoring the first 10 points of the game for Hudson Catholic and propelling his team to a big win. He finished with 32 points, eight rebounds and five assists with four 3-pointers along the way. King could be on his way to fulfilling some of the early expectations placed on him and blossoming into a full-fledged star.
Vernon Carey Jr., (6-10, Jr., PF), University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.): The elite 2019 prospect put on a show Monday against Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), piling up 29 points and 11 rebounds. He got the best of future Kansas big man David McCormack, shutting him down on the defensive end and getting to the basket with ease offensively. Carey Jr. can score at every level and is ambidextrous around the rim. Although he has range out to the 3-point line, he made his presence felt on the drive and in the paint finishing his opportunities and keeping University within striking distance for the majority of the game.
Zion Williamson returned from injury just in time to take the floor at the nation's most high-profile high school basketball showcase.
File photo: Alik McIntosh
The New Yorker displayed endless range Monday, knocking down eight threes and finishing with a game-high 32 points. The talented senior came in averaging over 30 points per game but after committing to George Mason he hasn't received the national attention he deserves.
Robin Perry (6-3, Sr., G), Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.): Despite averaging over 19 points per game this season for the Pioneers, Perry has yet to receive a Division I offer. That could change after a 27-point performance Saturday against Roselle Catholic (N.J.). He piled up 23 of those in the second half and is about to become a steal for a program in need of a talented scoring guard.
Tyler Bertram (6-3, Jr., G), Vermont Academy (Saxtons River, Vt.): Taking on high major IMG Academy guards Anfernee Simons and Eric Ayala without five-star forward prospect
Simisola Shittu in the lineup, Bertram stepped up. Trailing by 13 points early in the second half, Bertram responded by raining in 3-pointers, driving the lane and finding open teammates.
George Mason pledge Jason Douglas-Stanley was a bright spot for New York's Mt. Vernon in a loss to Webster Groves.
File photo: Lonnie Webb
No. 1
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) escaped the clutches of a scrappy No. 12
Simeon (Chicago), pulling off their narrowest win of the season 62-60. The Eagles were led by the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2018
R.J. Barrett, who finished with 23 points and six rebounds.
Future Iowa State Cyclone
Talen Horton-Tucker had an impressive performance of his own with 26 points and five rebounds in the loss. He may have won the matchup with Barrett as he contained the future Duke Blue Devil for the majority of the contest.
It was a classic battle of a scrappy, overmatched group from the Windy City playing fearless on the big stage against one of the nation's top basketball academies. Montverde Academy has four players on the roster listed at 6-9 or taller. Simeon has just one player listed above 6-5. The Wolverines make up for their lack of height with tenacious effort, heart and stellar guard play.
Games involving top 25 schoolsNo. 23
Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, Pa.) – 66
Hillhouse (New Haven, Conn.) – 38
No. 8
Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) – 86
Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.) – 51
No. 16
Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) – 80
No. 25
Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) – 69
No. 1
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) – 62
No. 12
Simeon (Chicago) – 60
No. 6
DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) – 86
Archbishop Molloy (Queens, N.Y.) – 56
Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore, Md.) – 71
No. 20
Ranney (Tinton Falls, N.J.) – 48
No. 9
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) – 91
Immaculate Conception (Montclair, N.J.) – 47
No. 22
Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.) – 71
John Carroll (Bel Air, Md.) – 58
No. 1 Montverde Academy – 74
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) – 48
No. 3
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) – 83
No. 2
University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) – 69
