A back-and-forth battle in the upperclassmen game went right down to the final seconds. With the team’s tied at 80 with 1:30 left, both offences fail to take control of the game and it’s come down to the final 15 seconds.
Team White’s Ihsan Khan found Akim Olak in the lane who drew two defenders before kicking it back out to Khan who drilled a huge three, which would serve as the game winner.
Team White would jump out to a very early double-digit lead behind Khan’s strong shooting ability and good feet down low. He also showed his vocal leadership throughout.
Lincoln Rosebush found his beautiful looking shooting stroke early on and kept it going all game. The big man stretches the floor very well with his ability to consistently knock down his mid-range jumpers. The Lincoln Prep forward even showed he can knock them down from long range.
Fast pace offence and running out in transition got Team Black back into the game and close the gap to 21-18. Etobicoke Collegiate guard Khalid Ismail spearheaded the Team Black run coming off the bench. Ismail spotted up behind the arc and nailed a three while getting hit on his hand and proceeded to complete the four-point play at the line.
Rosebush had a quiet 14 points in the first half but made some noise and heads turn when he knocked a three with 10 seconds left to push Team Black’s lead to 53-41 at halftime.
Rosebush continued to put up numbers early on in the second half, abusing his 6’10 frame to finish around the rim and grab offensive rebounds.
Team white started to chip away through Joshua Haughton. The 6’2 guard showed off his serious bunnies throwing down a huge slam and then showing his athleticism to score on an acrobatic lay-up.
Haughton kept building his case for MVP late into the second half. The Crestwood Prep player attacked the basket fearlessly and even game Team White the lead back momentarily.
Lincoln Rosebush, MVP of Upperclassmen game.
Khan and Sidney Okeke were huge factors late on to keep Team White within striking distance. Khan hit a big three pointer to get within two and Okeke swatted away a soft lay-up from Team Black. Olak tied the game up at 80 on a tough finish at the rim and the rest is history.
Lincoln Rosebush earned MVP honours scoring a game high 22 points in the loss.
Team White controlled the pace and tempo of the game from the beginning. Team Black couldn’t find a way to break through the full court press or the the zone defence.
Brandyn Talbot, Scott Jenkins, Ankit Choudhary and Luke De Gannes all showed their intensity and hustle to help Team White jump out a big 25-11 lead.
Easy stops and steals led to Team White leaking out in transition and easy buckets. Talbot was able to finish around the rim and put up a quick seven points.
Just as Team Black started to swing momentum and put together a little run of their own, Jenkins pulled up and drilled a three pointer. The UPlay Canada sharpshooter showed he can take it to the basket and finish when he attacked hard and got fouled even harder but was able to finish through the contact.
The dynamic tandem of Talbot and Jenkins continued to dominate. Talbot’s high level playmaking ability was far above the rest of the class. He possesses a variety of counter moves and the ability find an open teammate with showtime passes. Jenkins fights for every loose ball and brings his high intensity and energy on both ends of the floor.
Tim Mununga, Breakthrough Player.
Choudhary capped off a dominant first half for Team White with a step back jumper in the corner and give his team a 46-37 lead at the half.
Tim Mununga was one of the lone bright spots for Team Black in the opening half, scoring 12 points while attacking the basket hard.
Talbot and Choudhary carried Team White in the second half combining for 27 points.
Team Black couldn’t get back into the game and suffered a heavy 97-75 loss to Team White.
Brandyn Talbot took home the MVP award for scoring a team high 22 points and creating countless plays for hims teammates.
Mununga earned the Breakthrough Player award for his strong play throughout the Hamilton NPH Showcase and scoring a game high 24 points.
MVP, Brandyn Talbot
Top Performers
Team White
Team Black
Brandyn Talbot: 22 points
Tim Mununga: 24 points
Ankit Choudary: 21 points
Truxton Lama: 8 points
Scott Jenkins: 14 points
Jerred Kinstler: 8 points
Luke De Gannes: 11 points
Okay Djamgouz: 8 points
Lukas Syllas: 8 points
Ardel Scott-Jackson: 8 points
The NPH National Showcase Circuit is in Quebec from Aug. 13 to Aug. 18 for the Camp Estival d’Excellence.
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