San Francisco, CA – The first Basketball Hall of Fame Al Attles Classic, held at San Francisco’s Chase Center, featured four games. Schools from the Pac-12, WCC, ACC, Big East, and Mountain West produced some exciting games throughout the day.
Stanford opened the first game with a victory over San Diego 62-59 in a very solidly played competitive game. The Toreros got off to a good start led by their 6’3” sophomore shooting guard Joey Calcaterra. He scored 10 first half points but San Diego trailed 31-29 at the break. The MVP of the first game was Stanford’s 6’9” junior forward Oscar Da Silva who scored 19 points (6-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, 6-6 FT) and added 11 rebounds, five steals and two blocks. He impacted the game on both ends of the floor with his NBA size, athleticism, wingspan and leadership. He runs the floor, plays the passing lanes, and finishes in the paint. Da Silva also has good shot blocking skills. Talented 6’1” freshman guard Tyrell Terry scored 20 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-2 FT) with seven rebounds and three assists. Although he committed five turnovers, he displayed a smooth, all -around game with his quickness, ball handling skills, shooting range, slashing abilities, and scoring talents. Stanford (11-1) next hosts Kansas on Dec. 29th, while San Diego (6-8) hosts Whittier College on Dec.29th.
In the second game Boston College beat Cal 64-60. The first half was competitively played with Cal leading at the break 29-26, mainly due to Boston College’s inability to make shots (31.8%). The Eagles turned it around in the second half converting on 50 percent of their shots to secure the victory. Four of their players reached double digits including: Jared Hamilton (12), Julian Rishwain (12) and Derryck Thornton 10). The MVP of the game 6’8” sophomore Jarius Hamilton who scored 18 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 6-8 FT) and grabbed eight rebounds. Hamilton does a nice job of creating his own shot while exhibiting the body control to play through contact. 6’4” sophomore guard Matt Bradley scored 21 points (8-16 FG, 1-7 3PT, 4-5 FT) to go along with nine rebounds and two assists. He’s a very competitive left handed strong guard who does a little bit of everything for the Cal Bears. 7’0” freshman forward/center Lars Thiemann also complimented the team well with eight points, nine rebounds and one block. He has natural NBA size, athleticism, shot blocking presence, and tools. He’s a player to keep on the radar to see how he develops. Cal (6-6) hosts Harvard on Dec. 29th while Boston College (8-5) plays at Duke on Dec.31st.
St. John’s held on for a 70-67 victory over Arizona. In the best game of the event, Arizona started poorly due to its ten first half turnovers and went into the break down 40-26. They battled back late in the second half after facing a 15-point deficit to make a game of all the way to the final seconds. However Nico Mannion’s missed three pointer, followed by a missed runner in the closing minute on the final two possessions for the Wildcats sealed the win for St. John’s. The MVP of the game was St. John’s 6’6” junior combo guard/forward LJ Figueroa. He was solid attacking the baseline all evening. The forward with deceptive strength was good running the floor, creating his own shot and making baskets in the transition game. Figueroa finished with 21 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Mustapha Heron did play due to an injury. Arizona’s 6’3’freshman point guard Mannion displayed body control and a good feel for the game. He has speed and quickness to compliment his ball handling skills. He has a smooth shooting form and release, and is really good finishing in the paint with his left hand. Mannion finished with 19 points (6-15 FG, 1-5 3PT, 6-6 FT) with three assists and three steals. 6-11 freshman Zeke Nnaji led the Wildcats with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
St. Mary’s edged Nevada 68-63 in the finale. 5’10” senior guard Jazz Johnson led the Wolfpack with a valiant effort scoring 17 points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out three assists. It wasn’t enough as St. Mary’s had four players reach double figures in scoring: Tommy Kuhse (11), Matthias Tass (11), Jordan Ford (21), and Malik Fitts (23). Johnson moves extremely well without the ball, running off screens to get his shots., He knows how to put the ball in the basket. St. Mary’s Ford, and the MVP of the game Fitts combined to scored 31 of the Gaels’ 44 points in the second half.. Fitts a 6’8” junior forward displayed a nice shooting touch with a step back jump shot from mid and 3-point range. He showed the ability to run the floor, cover defensively, rebound, and be a threat on the floor offensively as a slasher. St. Mary’s (12-2) hosts Seattle on Dec.28th while Nevada (8-5) hosts Colorado State on Jan. 1st
This article was written by Lorenzo Leaks, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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