Marquee performance by Teague
HAMPTON, Va.- The Boo Williams Invitational signals the beginning of the travel team circuit, and the top point guard in the country Marquis Teague kicked it off in fine fashion.
While leading his Spiece Indy Heat team to a win over the Georgia Blazers, Teague poured in 30 points and dished out eight assists. Although the Blazers have athleticism in the backcourt, Teague had his way with whoever defended him.
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He was explosive off the dribble, finishing one of his slashes to the basket with a monstrous dunk, and he also had the pull up jumper going. As usual, his ball handling and vision of the court was at the highest level.
Defensively, he was disruptive as he controlled the game on both ends of the court.
The Blazers also got an outstanding performance from five-star shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell. Going for 37 points on 10-22 shooting, Caldwell did his damage behind the three-point line and with pull up jumpers just inside the three-point line.
Caldwell isn't the type of explosive athlete off the dribble who is looking to get to the rim, but he is one of the best catch and shoot three-point shooters in the class and has a lethal pull up jumper.
Also dialed in from three in this game was Rapheal Davis of Spiece. The 2012 prospect had four three-pointers midway through the second half and also played a solid floor game.
His 2012 teammate Dejuan Marrero was an extremely active presence on the court from his small forward position. He finished with authority on slashing drives to the basket, often going to his left, and he showed a nose for the ball coming off the glass.
TOP 10 SHOWDOWN
No. 1 ranked prospect Mike Gilchrist and No. 8 ranked prospect Austin Rivers squared off when Team Final faced Each One Teach One, but neither prospect was at the top of his game.
Rivers got the victory, but only shot 5-18 from the field (2-9 from three) for 17 points. He also had three rebounds and two assists while playing primarily the shooting guard position.
Gilchrist managed eight points on 3-11 shooting (0-3 from three) but did grab nine rebounds to go with three assists.
Rivers has one of the best first steps going right in the class and was pretty much able to get wherever he wanted on the court against Team Final.
The exception, however, was when Gilchrist guarded him. Gilcrhrist had a shaky scoring game, but he has the potential to be a scary defender at the highest levels of the game. Rivers simply couldn't get past him.
Top center in the 2011 class Rakeem Christmas didn't get a lot of touches, but when he did touch the ball he delivered. He scored eight points on 4-5 shooting on post moves going to his left shoulder as he is becoming more comfortable with the jump hook. He also had six rebounds.
Syracuse commitment Trevor Cooney scored 12 points on 4-10 shooting (2-8 from three) and came up with three rebounds.
For Each One Teach One, Rivers got a lot of support from Trevor Lacey and Devin Langford.
Lacey played his typical cerebral game while scoring 17 points on 6-10 shooting (1-3 from three) and made all four of his free throws. He also had three rebounds and three assists.
Lacey doesn't have the quickness of a traditional point guard, but he brings a point guard's skill set and mentality to the court.
Langford efficiently scored 12 points on 5-7 shooting (1-3 from three) while grabbing five rebounds and not turning the ball over once. A high level athlete, Langford is an intriguing wing prospect.
SOLDIERS LOOKING STRONG
Caught the first half of the Drew Gordon Soldiers versus D-One Sports, and it wasn't pretty with the Soldiers up 40-11 at the half.
Although he reportedly got it going in the second half, Quincy Miller struggled in the first half, scoring five points on 2-6 shooting (0-4 from three). Miller has been playing high level basketball but Friday night just wasn't his night as he looked sluggish and struggled to hang on to the basketball.
Standing out for the Soldiers was shooting guard Jabari Brown, who hit 8-12 shots (3-6 from three) for 19 first half points. Brown shoots it effortlessly from three and can also barrel to the basket with his superior strength for buckets.
Combo guard Josiah Turner was particularly impressive on the defensive end using his length and quickness to harass the D-One guards.
RECRUITING NEWS
Georgia Blazers' guard Nick Marshall is a standout quarterback as well and is set on playing both sports in college according to the Blazers brass. Alabama, Florida State and Georgia have offered in both sports.
Jabari Brown has offers from Arizona, Arizona State, California and Washington. Stanford, Texas A&M and Maryland are showing strong interest.
Kyle Wiltjer lists Kansas, Gonzaga, California, Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, Kentucky, Wake Forest and Texas. All but Kentucky and Texas have offered.
Malcolm Brogden poured in 27 points for the Georgia Stars and after the game said he has been hearing from Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia, Alabama, Georgia Tech and a host of mid-majors. Michigan State and Stanford are on the shooting guard's wish list.
Kyle Anderson lists offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Miami and LaSalle. Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Rutgers and St. John's have been calling. Anderson noted that he is most interested in playing in the ACC and will wait till the spring of next year to sign.
Trevor Lacey would like to stay in the southeast for college and has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Memphis and Tennessee.