iS8/Nike Recaps Saturday

SOUTH JAMAICA, N.Y. - With one more weekend left of pool play action, teams are getting into position to claim a spot in the one-and-done iS8/Nike Fall Tip-Off Classic playoffs.

Some teams are getting closer to the prized designation of being one of the top two teams in their respective pools.

The ongoing trend is that there continues to be a disparity in talent and skill in these games. Squads make a statement early, delineating their games and names from that of their competition.

Let's take a look at some of the action.

New Heights (Anderson) Trounces Kendall Madison Playaz, 60-36

New Heights (Anderson) now stands at 2-0 in pool play, after downing the Kendall Madison Playaz at iS8 on Saturday, 60-36. New Heights and Kendall Madison took turns with one or two-possession advantages in the second quarter. However, New Heights pulled away in the second half because of its fast offensive play and quick hands on defense.

Midway through the third quarter, New Heights was leading, 32-18, on a 1-of-2 performance from Jeff Neverson (10 points). The advantage was extended to 17 points, 37-20, on a bucket and 3-pointer by Rashad Andrews (game-high 17 points). New Heights maintained the margin as the final moments of the quarter ticked away. However, Kendall Madison's Anthony White (team-high 11 points) netted a bucket before the close of the quarter, to narrow the score a bit to 39-24.

Still, Neverson helped New Heights regain the 17-point margin by splitting two defenders off the bounce and driving to the middle for a deuce. Teammate Joel Argus (nine points) followed it up with a 3-pointer to widen the margin to 20 points, 44-24.

Although Kendall Madison was able to cut the deficit down to as low as 17 points a few times in the final phase, New Heights led by as much as 26 points, 60-34, on a dunk by Argus as late as the 20-second mark of the fourth.

New Heights' Tyliek Kimbrough added 11 points in the win.

Sports U. Doubles Up on the W's, Finishes Pool Play 3-1

Coming into the day 1-1, Sports University (N.J.) needed to double up on wins in order to qualify for the playoffs. Sports U., having two games at the iS8 on Saturday, finished pool play with just that - each a blowout victory against a member of the Tri-State area. Sports U. defeated its first opponent of the day, United Sons and Daughters (New Haven, Conn.), with a 76-52 victory, while the New Jersey squad also toppled New Rochelle H.S. (N.Y.) 78-42.

Sports U. heated up against United Sons and Daughters (USAD) early in the contest, leading 6-0 in the opening minutes of the game after Quenton DeCosey (15 points) and Hallice Cooke (team-high 18 points) scored on back-to-back 3-pointers.

Later, USAD was able to narrow the margin a bit, 8-5, when Sam Adler knocked down a trey of his own. However, Sports University increased its margin to nine points a few times into the second quarter. Still, USAD crept into competitor's status when it was able to tie the game at 26 on back-to-back 3-pointers from Connecticut's Tony Dobbison (10 points)

Dobbison continued his mini-surge when he was fouled from the three-point line and netted 2-of-3, giving United Sons and Daughters its first lead of the game, 28-26, with 1:15 remaining before halftime. With 20 seconds before the break, Sports University regained the lead, 30-28, but USAD's Antoine Boyd (eight points) scored on a floater to make the score knotted at 30 at halftime.

Sports U. pulled away in the third quarter, earning as much as a 21-point lead, 56-35 about a minute before the close of the period. USAD only got as close as 18 points, 58-40, with 12 seconds remaining in the third. Despite a valiant effort by USAD's Schadrac Casimir (game-high 22 points, 12 in the fourth quarter alone), Sports University continued to offensively overpower United Sons and Daughters in the final phase as it increased its point margin to as much as 26 points, 76-50, on a 3-pointer by Cooke.

Sports U.'s Tariq Carey chipped in 11 points.

Sports U. continued its roll into the second matchup of the day, dousing New Rochelle H.S. with tons of energy, defense and buckets. There seemed to be a complete mismatch in capability on both ends of the floor, as the first half closed with Sports U. leading 37-16.

With all hands on deck and taking advantage of the open floor that New Rochelle could not seem to cover, Sports University nearly doubled New Rochelle's point production in the third quarter. Sports U. outscored New Rochelle 19-10, closing out the period with a 30-point advantage, 56-30.

Sports U., ultimately, led by as much as the final score - 36 points - 78-42.

Sports University's Tariq Carey had a team high 13 points in the matchup, receiving additional contributions from Quenton DeCosey (12 points), Quadri Moore (10 points) and Josh Brown (10 points). Meanwhile, New Rochelle's Kirkland Ottey attempted to carry his team with a game-high 18 points.

In Other News

United Sons and Daughters (New Haven, Conn.) defeated New Rochelle H.S. in the Connecticut squad's last game of pool play, 60-55. USAD's Antoine Boyd finished with a team-high 24 points (14 in the fourth quarter). New Rochelle's Kirkland Ottey had a game-high 26 points in the loss.

USAD finishes pool play 1-3, while New Rochelle has yet to win a game in its pool as it stands at 0-3.

Exodus railroaded Team Albany in both teams' last contest of pool play, 66-48. Exodus' Daeshawn Richmond netted a game-high 21 points, while teammate Dante Jackson had 16 points in the win. Team Albany's Marquan Chandler recorded 19 points in the loss.

Exodus finishes pool play 2-2, while Team Albany wrapped up with a 0-4 standing.

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