Padgett Outduels White as Reno Tops Hillcrest

LEWES, Del. -- Kansas signee David Padgett sparkled on Monday at the Slam Dunk to the Beach, scoring 25 points and blocking six shots to lead Reno (NV) H.S. to a 51-46 victory over Hillcrest (AL).

The victory gave Reno the title of the Tip-Off Classic bracket at the Slam Dunk. Padgett played all 32 minutes of the game, and his performance offset a terrific effort from top 6-8 junior forward D.J. White of Hillcrest.

White finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and two assists. He gave Padgett all he could handle in the paint, and both players finished the game with four fouls, teetering on the brink of disqualification.

Reno led just 24-23 at the half, but a 19-6 third quarter surge gave the Huskies a 43-29 lead.

Padgett was a key factor in the run. He converted a traditional three point play, canned a three point basket and capped the surge with a lay-in at the 1:38 mark to give Reno the 14-point bulge. He also made a big block on White just before hitting the three pointer from beyond the arc that prevented a certain Hillcrest deuce.

The Patriots climbed back into the game with a 15-4 run. Desmond Jackson and William Barnes each hit three pointers in the final minute to pull Hillcrest to within 47-44 at the 42.2 second mark, and Jackson missed a three pointer moments later after the Patriots forced a Husky turnover on the ensuing in-bounds pass.

With Reno clinging to a 48-44 lead, Padgett made his biggest defensive stop of the game, blocking White and deflecting a pass that resulted in Hillcrest turning the ball over.

Forward Josh Barrett was fouled by the Patriots and hit a pair of free throws with 12.8 seconds to play to push the lead to 50-44 and effectively clinch the game for Reno.

Hillcrest's Jackson was the only player aside from Padgett and White to hit double figures. He connected on four of nine three pointers on the way to 12 points.