All USA final
HILLSBORO, Ore.- The athleticism of the USA South and Midwest was just to much for Canada and France in the semifinals of the Nike Global Challenge. One of the night's standouts for the USA was Adonis Thomas.
USA South 113, Canada 99
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The South forced Canada into 19 turnovers, and Adonis Thomas side stepped defenders in transition on the way to 31 points on 13-20 shooting. Thomas' athletic blue collar approach also produced 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Bombing away from deep was P.J. Hairston. The North Carolina commitment connected on 6-8 threes in the first half and finished the game with 27 points.
Also playing a strong game, Kentavious Caldwell had 23 points, 11 rebounds and five assists to only one turnover.
Once again Khem Birch had a stellar performance for Canada and had the full attention of the NBA scouts on hand. A superb athlete with a competitive spirit, Birch put up 23 points on 10-12 shooting, 11 rebounds, two assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals.
His quickness off the floor and his left hand finishes were impressive.
Also scoring 23 points was tough nosed forward Anthony Bennett, who connected on 9-14 from the field and 2-5 from behind the arc. Bennett, who had at least five dunks, also had nine rebounds.
Kyle Wiltjer struggled from the field going 6-19. He finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.
Point guard Kevin Pangos had 13 points and six assists to two turnovers.
USA Midwest 78, INSEP France 59
Behind the inspired point guard play of Jahii Carson,a balanced attack and aggressive team defense, the USA Midwest earned a birth into the championship game.
Carson consistently broke down the defense with his penetration and found teammates and knocked down jumpers in the gaps. On 50 percent shooting he scored 13 points to go along with six assists, five rebounds. Carson was also the point of attack for the Midwest's spirited man to man defense.
Leading the Midwest in scoring was high energy forward Dominique Pointer who scored 16 points on 50 percent shooting , grabbed 10 rebounds, came up with seven steals and dished out four assists.
Guards Bradley Beal and Carlton Brundidge added 14 points each as well.
USA East 73, Brazil 69
James McAdoo put up strong numbers again scoring 20 points on 9-25 shooting and snagging a game high 11 rebounds.
Michael Gbinije put up the second best numbers for the East with 17 points on 6-10 shooting, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
USA West 104, All-Asia 91
Nick Johnson was the game's high scorer with 32 points on 13-24 shooting, 4-8 from behind the arc.
Johnny O'Bryant put up a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Jabari Brown struggled from behind the arc at a 1-7 clip but still managed 19 points.
Josiah Turner put up 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Recruiting News
Kentavious Caldwell said he is firmly committed to Georgia and will not visit any other schools.
Jahii Carson said Arizona State, Arizona and Washington standout right now and are recruiting him the hardest. The tempo of play for Arizona and Washington appeal to him, and he will be watching Arizona State closely this year to see if they truly do transition to a faster style of play.
An official visit is set for Arizona the first weekend of September, a Washington visit the last weekend of September, followed by an Oregon State visit and then a visit to UCLA at a still to be determined date.
Despite the fall visits, don't expect a decision until the spring.
Outside of the Pac-10, St. John's, Alabama and Memphis are schools of interest.
Dominique Pointer has had a stellar summer. West Virginia, Detroit, Ohio State, Tennessee and Miami have offered. DePaul is also a school of interest. Pointer plans on waiting until the spring and hasn't scheduled any visits.