Diaz Carries Miami Christian Past Bergen Catholic
LEWES, Del. -- He might have been a relative unknown entering the Slam Dunk to the Beach Tournament, but Guillermo Diaz put an exclamation point to a scintillating three game run at the prestigious holiday event.
The 6-1 Miami bound guard via Puerto Rico scored 22 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out four assists to lead the Victors to a 58-52 victory over Bergen Catholic on Monday night in the championship game of the Power Series at the Slam Dunk.
Advertisement
Diaz is a tremendously quick and athletic guard who plays with about as much intensity as any player in the 2003 class. He's a world class athlete in volleyball, and according to MCS Asst. Coach Ed Auricchio, Diaz is the number one ranked volleyball player in the 19 and under age group.
Miami Christian led almost the entire game against Bergen Catholic, but didn't pull away until the fourth quarter.
Clinging to a 43-39 lead midway through the final quarter, guard/swingman Jesus Verdejo kick started a 7-0 run that resulted in Miami Christian taking a 50-39 lead with 4:04 to play.
Right after the three point basket, Diaz found Verdejo with a nifty bounce pass for an easy deuce in transition, and Diaz then capped the surge with a rim-rattling slam with 4:04 to play.
Verdejo finished with 18 points on crisp eight of 14 shooting for Miami Christian.
Adrian Joseph, Begen Catholic's impressive 6-7 junior forward, led the Crusaders with 20 points and 14 rebounds in defeat. Memphis signee Sean Banks netted 17 points, but converted just eight of 21 shots from the floor.