Oak Hill on Top of the World

Coach Steve Smith's Oak Hill Academy Warriors of Mouth of Wilson, Va., won the championship of the Top of the World Challenge in Norwalk, Calif., and, Nashville, Tenn,, resident, Jamont Gordon was chosen the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Perennial national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy rolled past four formidable California high school opponents, including a 63-50 win over Woodland Hills Taft High School Tuesday night in the championship game of Rodney Guillory's twelve-team Top of the World Challenge at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.

One of the nation's top still unsigned seniors, and at the top of Coach Buzz Peterson's most-wanted list at Tennessee, muscular, 6-foot-four wing guard Jamont Gordon, led Oak Hill with 23 points in the title game, and dominated opponents with his strength, and tenacious, hard-nosed, aggressive play. Gordon is rated No. 15 nationally by Rivals.com. Promising 6-foot-3 junior second guard Calvin Haynes was outstanding for Taft High scoring 15 points.

In the Top of the World Challenge Oak Hill Academy blew out Lawndale Leuzinger High in their opening game; then beat Lynwood High 75-67 in the second round. UNLV signee, 6-foot-7 wing forward Davon Jefferson was the leader for Lynwood with 26 points. Syracuse recruit, 6-foot-3 second guard Eric Devendorf was the "main man" for Oak Hill with 20 points, including 4-5 three-pointers.

In the semi-finals Oak Hill knocked off Compton Centennial High School. In the other semi-final game Woodland Hills Taft High shocked Compton Dominguez High School, 35-33. Just over a week ago Dominguez had upset nationally No. 1 rated Los Angeles Westchester High School, 53-52, in a hard-fought affair with a wild finish.

The biggest disappointment of the event, (other than Dominguez getting up set by Taft, and not playing Oak Hill for the championship), was Fresno, Calif., San Joaquin Memorial High, which lost all three of their games, despite the presence of their potential major college frontcourt, nationally rated juniors, 6-foot-10 Brook Lopez, 6-foot-10 Robin Lopez, and 6-foot-6 Quincy Poindexter.

In the Third Place game Compton Centennial High beat Los Angeles Verbum Dei High, 54-36. 6-foot-6 junior forward Jervaughn Johnson had 17 points for Centennial; and talented 6-foot-10 freshman center Auri Allen led Verbum Dei with 10 points.

Fifth Place: North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake High 74, Lynwood High 56. 6-foot 3 sophomore guard Kieran Ramsey led the victors with 18 points.

Consolation title: Compton Dominguez High 72, Lakewood Mayfair High 66. Louisville signee, 6-foot-5 guard/forward Bryan Harvey was high scorer for Dominguez with 17 points. Highly talented 6-foot-4 junior second guard Patrick Christopher of Mayfair High led all scorers with 21 points.

An emerging bigh man to watch is massive 6-foot-9, 290-pound senior center Ronnell Ramsey, Woodland Hills Taft High, a strong, effective post player with good hands, mobility, and deft moves to the hoop.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a most happy holiday season. May you travel safely, and enjoy all the best of this glorious season with your loved ones, and friends.

Most sincerely,

Bob Gibbons