PrimeTime Shootout Saturday

Vashon High School from St. Louis, MO put their 52 game winning streak and #1 national ranking on the line against undefeated and 11th ranked Niagara Falls (NY) on Saturday afternoon at the 2005 PrimeTime Shootout. Other featured games included Episcopal Academy (PA) vs. Montrose Christian (MD) and Montverde Academy (FL) vs. Rufus King (WI).

Vashon 69

Niagara Falls 66 (OT)

In a game that completely lived up to the hype, #1 ranked Vashon (MO) preserved their unblemished record and extended their winning streak to an amazing 53 games while handing Niagara Falls (NY) their first loss in overtime 69-66.

The opening half featured several lead changes, as 6-foot-4 junior Paul Harris established his dominance with creative passing and excellent inside play. Harris, who's not known as a great shooter, even drilled a 3 pointer early. As Vashon went into the break trailing by three the streak looked very much in jeopardy.

However, the Wolverines from St. Louis came out in the second half and quickly took back the advantage. Excellent team basketball and the play of 6-foot-4 senior Johnny Hill kept Vashon in the game in the first half, but in the second half 6-foot-3 senior Kenny Daniels and 5-foot-9 junior PG James Washington led the charge.

However, Harris would not be denied, as time and time again he put Niagara Falls on his back and kept them in it. In the game's closing moments Niagara Falls held a two point lead and Harris came down with a Vashon miss, but lost his footing giving them one last chance to tie. Washington shook loose for a 14 foot jumper and we were headed to overtime tied at 64.

In the overtime period Niagara Falls held on to the ball for the first couple of minutes before missing a tough shot. Vashon took advantage to score and they held on for a 69-66 win.

Bobby Hill led Vashon with 18 points. Johnny Hill added 14 points and 7 rebounds, Washington had 11 points and 5 assists, and Daniels had 10 points and 6 rebounds.

Harris led the way for Niagara Falls with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Robert Garrison shot the ball well early to finish with 12 points, and PG Jonathan Flynn had 9 points and 7 assists.

Montrose Christian 77

Episcopal Academy 66

Montrose Christian (MD) took an early lead and never trailed on their way to a 77-66 win over Episcopal Academy (PA) despite the herculean efforts of 6-foot-4 junior 2G Wayne Ellington.

Unsigned 6-foot-9 junior C/F Uche Echefu dominated play early in the game and set the tone in the paint for the Mustangs, while 6-foot-3 senior guard KJ Matsui bombed away from beyond the arc. Ellington picked up the Churchmen and carried them through long stretches in the game, but they never had enough to challenge Montrose's considerable depth and athleticism. 6-foot-5 junior G/F Gerald Henderson played well in the second half, but it was too late to make a difference.

Echefu finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks for Montrose. Matsui added 15 points, 6-foot-2 sophomore Adrian Bowie had 14 points and 6 assists, and 6-foot-5 junior PG Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and 8 assists.

Ellington had 38 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals to lead Episcopal. Henderson had 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Montverde Academy 60

Rufus King 56

Montverde Academy (FL) took an early lead, lost it in the fourth quarter, then battled back down the stretch to claim a 60-56 victory over Rufus King (WI) in Saturday afternoon action at the PrimeTime Shootout.

Freshman PG Korie Lucious led Rufus King back into the game in the 4th quarter with his quickness on defense and deft passing ability, as they took a 50-48 lead with under 5 minutes left in the game. However, Montverde then went on a 7-0 run to put the game away.

6-foot-5 junior 2G LD Williams led the Eagles with 17 points. 6-foot-8 senior Arminas Urbutis had 15 points and 4 rebounds, and both 6-foot-7 UCLA signee Luc Mbah A Moute and 6-foot-7 Stephane Bakinde had 9 points in the win.

6-foot-1 junior guard Troy Cotton had 17 points to lead Rufus King. Lucious added 15 points and 4 assists.

Westchester 62

Xaverian 48

Connecticut signee Marcus Johnson was out with an ankle injury, but 6-foot-10 Louisville signee Amir Johnson was perfect, and Westchester (CA) was too big and too athletic for Xaverian (NY) as the Comets coasted to a 62-48 win on Saturday.

Johnson shot 8 of 8 from the floor to finish with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks for Westchester. 6-foot-7 senior Ray Reese had 15 points, and 6-foot-8 senior Jarel Lake had 11.

Saiquan Stone led Xaverian with 19 points and 5 rebounds. 6-foot-1 Pittsburgh bound guard Levance Fields was held to just 12 points in the loss.

Xaverian was beaten on the glass 33-18, and shot just 37% from the field compared to 54% for Westchester.

Mount Vernon 64

Christian Brothers Academy 56

Duke signee Greg Paulus scored 27 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dealt 5 assists, but he had little help as Mount Vernon (NY) beat the Brothers from Christian Brothers Academy (NY) 64-56 on Saturday.

With 6-foot-7 junior Jon Mitchell on the pine with a case of the flu, 5-foot-10 sophomore Mike Coburn had 18 points and 6 rebounds to lead the Knights. 6-foot-3 senior Jonathan Smith had 17 points shooting 3-6 from beyond the arc, and unsigned 6-foot senior PG Chris Lowe had 10 points and 3 assists.

Rice 56

Raritan 41

6-foot-2 junior guard Edgar Sosa was superb for Rice (NY), scoring 17 points and dishing 7 assists, as Rice overwhelmed Raritan (NJ) in the second half to post a 56-41 victory on Saturday at the PrimeTime Shootout. 6-foot-9 forward Curtis Kelly added 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks for Rice.

5-foot-10 Boston University signee Marques Johnson had 15 points and 3 assists, including a half court buzzer-beater to end the second quarter. 6-foot-8 prep school bound senior Qa'rraan Calhoun added 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks for Raritan.