Guards Lead Oak Hill Past Paterson Catholic

TRENTON, N.J. -- The best big man on the floor belonged to Paterson Catholic, but the Cougars couldn't stop Oak Hill Academy's guards, as the Warriors posted a 64-55 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Prime Time Shootout.

Isaiah Swann, Oak Hill's outstanding 6-2 junior guard, netted 18 points on the way to MVP honors, while Virginia bound shooting guard J.R. Reynolds added 14 points for the Warriors.

Reynolds' three pointers were especially critical because he hit three in the third quarter while Paterson Catholic tried to mount a comeback.

Oak Hill led by 15 at half-time, but the Cougars came out strong and cut the lead to 36-26 early in the third quarter.

Paterson Catholic had a chance to pare the lead to single digits, but Swann recovered a loose ball and fired to an open Reynolds, who hit a three to push the lead back to 13. It was the first of three straight treys by Reynolds which allowed the Warriors to maintain their double digit lead entering the fourth quarter.

A three point play by 6-6 senior forward Dion Dacons extended Oak Hill's lead to 56-40 midway through the fourth quarter.

The Warriors had trouble containing Darryl Watkins (above), who scored 17 of his game high 19 points in the second half, but Paterson Catholic got no closer than nine in the final minute.

Paterson Catholic started the game strong, grabbing a 14-13 lead late in the first quarter. Oak Hill assumed control of the game with an 18-0 run that bridged the first and second quarters, giving the Warriors a 31-14 lead with 3:55 remaining in the first half.

The first half meltdown doomed Paterson Catholic, which also got solid contributions from Rutgers bound Marquis Webb (12 points) and Jonathan Moody (11 points).

Oak Hill won its second straight game at the Prime Time, while Paterson Catholic dropped its second straight tilt.