Breast Cancer Awareness Classic provides stage for upsets and new prospects

Breast Cancer Awareness Classic provides stage for upsets and new prospects

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

ORLANDO, FL – The fifth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Classic was a perfect stage to showcase some talent while building awareness against a dibiletating disease.

Those who attended the event had the opportunity to see some notable names – CJ Walker – and learn about budding prospects – Emmanuel Maldonado. The action on the floor created a buzz throughout the event.

Jones 61, West Oaks Academy 60

Jones High School is a roster loaded with inexperienced players. But it grew up throughout the game against nationall-ranked West Oaks. The Fightin’ Tigers clawed back from a double-digit lead thanks in large part to its defensive pressure and Dalvin Leggett only shot of the game.

The junior guard knocked down a three-pointer in the waning seconds of the game for a 60-60 tie in the fourth quarter. This was one of the only time aside from the opening tip when Jones (1-1) found itself in the game. An unforced turnover by West Oaks led to the Tigers clinching the win with a free-throw securing its first win of the season.

Senior Kenan Blackshear led all-scorers with a game-high 29. The Florida Atlantic commit found out early in the final quarter. Jones’ scoring came from senior Kajuan Felton with 10 points. Senior Jelani Moreno added eight points and seven assists.

Selton Miguel finished with a team-high 15 points. Auburn commit Tyrell Jones finished with 11 points.

Central Pointe Christian Academy 58, Tampa Catholic 56

Luis Robin has been on a offensive tear for Central Pointe Christian Academy. The junior guard finished with a game-high 21 points to help lead the White Tigers to the victory.

CPCA (4-3) struggled from the field as a team. However, Robin was the one who attacked the basket little regard for any defender. He made sure to finish with and through contact. Whenever he wasn’t scoring the White Tigers relied on their defense to stop the Tampa Catholic’s comeback. Harry Sosa helped seal the game with a steal to go along with his 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Junior forward Johni Brooke finished with a team-high 17 points. Kobe Knox and Isaiah Elmore, both juniors, contributed with 14 poin5s apiece.

Oak Ridge 71, Osceola 51 

After a tight first-half, Oak Ridge locked up defensively before breaking Osceola down. The defending state champs were led by Kalen Coleman. The Lipscomb Universoty signee finished with a game-high 24 points in the win. Oregon signee CJ Walker recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Osceola bothered the Pioneers for most of the first-half with its defense and size or lack there of. The Kowboys (1-1) had major contributions from senior Jeremiah Palermo who finished with 14 points.

Oak Ridge was without senior Niven Glover, who has been bothered with a leg cramp.

Leesburgh 73, St. Petersburg Canterbury 41

This opening game was controlled entirely by Leesburgh from the opening-tip. The defending 6A champs were the first game of the classic.

Leesburgh (3-0) was led by Akiem Nickerson and Jyre McCloud. The duo picked up the scoring slack from senior Lance Erving. Nickerson scores a team-high 14 points, while McCloud chipped in with 13. Erving, who came into the game averaging 25 points a game, ended the day with seven.

Downey Christian 72, Tampa Hillsborough 63

One paper, one team is loaded with size and athleticism. The other is not as impressive with looming height. But for Downey it is a good thing games aren’t played on paper.

The Patriots, led by Emmanuel Maldonado, handed Hillsborough its first loss of the season. Maldonado, a sophomore, finished with a game-high 25 points to help Downey (2-2) pull off the upset. Maldonado’s five three-pointers helped neutralize Hillsborough’s size. Julian Newman knocked down five triples for 23 points in the win.

Eduardo Peralta, a senior forward, took care of the entire Hillsborough interior. Despite being just 6-foot-5 he finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds against a much taller Terriers (3-1) front line.

St.Petersburgh Lakewood 63, Potter’s House 57

Lakewood jumped out of the gate quickly before needing some defensive stops late and free-throws to secure its win. The Spartans (3-0) also needed a Spartican effort from Jalen White.

The senior forward carried the scoring load from the opening-tip. White refused to let up on either end of the court when Potter’s House was making its run. He nailed critical shot after critical shot for a team-high 27 points. He also pulled down 10 rebounds. Oteman Delancy helped seal the game with free throws down the stretch. He and Jamille Reynolds finished with 10 points apiece. Elijah Jackson added 11.

The Spartans held a 31-17 halftime lead. Potter’s House (4-5) started the second-half with relentless pressure. Senior guard Milan Harrison applied ball pressure and timely scoring to help close the gap. Harrison, who nailed five three-pointers, finished with a team-high 18 points. Marsei Caston had 13.

While the games were the entertainment the cause is why everyone was in the gym. Operation Step Up, Inc. put on the event for the late Barbara Howard Reece who battled Breast Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis for 12 years.

There are many people and families battling Breast Cancer. This is to continue building awareness and funding to find a cure. At halftime, Operation Step Up, Inc. presented Oak Ridge High School with a check for $2,000.