Top Performers: Northside Invitational Championship Day
Our trip around the state of Virginia covering holiday tournaments continued Thursday as I stopped by Northside High School in Roanoke for the 10th annual Northside Invitational Tournament. Arguably the best tournament in the area, it featured eight of the…
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Continue ReadingOur trip around the state of Virginia covering holiday tournaments continued Thursday as I stopped by Northside High School in Roanoke for the 10th annual Northside Invitational Tournament. Arguably the best tournament in the area, it featured eight of the top schools in the Roanoke and New River Valley area, and was chock full of talent. Host Northside, ranked #21 in the latest Vantage Hoops Top 30 Power Poll, won their third straight tournament as host. Here were some of the standouts on the final day of the tournament.
Lucas Myers | 2017 W | Roanoke Catholic
Myers showed a lot of versatility for Roanoke Catholic in a close loss to Giles in the eight place game. A long 6’4” wing, he’s the type of player that makes the right play time-and-time again. He took good shots throughout the game, rebounded, set up his teammates and defended multiple positions on the other end. The high IQ wing finished with 22 points for them.
Cole Meadows | 2018 W | Giles County
Meadows got off to a rough start for Giles, getting into foul trouble early and struggling to get good shots. After a frustrating third quarter however, he kept his head high and stayed in attack mode down the stretch. The athletic wing scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, an was the key down the stretch to Giles getting a big come from behind win after trailing for three and a half quarters.
Brendan Newton | 2017 C | Faith Christian
The Liberty commit put up ridiculous numbers throughout the tournament, including a triple double of 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks in the second day. The 7’2” Newton continued his productive ways despite a tough loss to Blacksburg in the final day, finishing with 18 points and 18 rebounds. He also showed some improvement, hitting some midrange jump shots and making good passes out of double teams.
Noah Barnhardt | 2018 PG | Faith Christian
Barhardt was the only guard that Faith Christian had that could handle the ball, and he made a number of plays both for himself and his teammates throughout the game. A stocky and strong 6’1” guard, he handled pressure, got in the lane and finished at all three levels. He did a little of everything, stuffing the stat sheet with 16 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.
Grant Johnson | 2019 PF/WF | Blacksburg
Also a star football player, Johnson (pictured right) was an inside workhorse for a Blacksburg team that hit 16 threes on the game. A long and athletic 6’5” combo forward, he banged inside with Newton, showing great fundamentals when boxing out and doing the dirty work even when he wasn’t getting the ball. He finished with 15 points, 10 of which came in the second half, and pitched in 7 rebounds and 4 assists as well.
James Nworah | 2018 PF | North Cross
All the intangibles you look for in a big man Nworah showed that Thursday night. He’s a little undersized at 6’5”, but he showed a high motor and a lot of athleticism. He attacked the glass, protected the basket and had a number of impressive finishes at the rim showing his hops. He finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds in a North Cross win.
Zae Baines | 2020 PG/WG | North Cross
Labeled as one of the top freshmen in the area in the past few years, Baines showed a lot of potential as a combo guard. He has a good frame for his age, is a smooth and explosive athlete and he thrives in transition where his speed and shiftiness makes it hard for defenders to stay in front in downhill situations. He finished with 15 points points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on an off night, and if he continues to fill out, work on his jumper and hone his craft he could be a special player in the coming years.
Quinton Clayborne | 2017 PF | Christiansburg
Another football start, Clayborne was outstanding for Christiansburg and was the main reason they were right in the game before a late three-pointer gave North Cross the win. A big bodied post, he was physical and aggressive in the paint on both ends, and when they needed a bucket he got one. He owned the glass, showed a nice touch from the midrange and played hard the whole time he was in. He finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Nick Price | 2018 PG | Northside
The MVP of the tournament, Price was phenomenal setting the tone for Northside in their championship win over William Byrd. From the jump, Price got up in the Byrd guards and was the focal point of their press that forced 22 turnovers. Offensively, he showed good burst off the bounce, created for himself and others within the system and took care of the basketball. He finished with 17 points, 6 assists and 0 turnovers.
Julien Wooden | 2019 WF | Northside
Wooden has shown flashes of the potential he has as a next level division one prospect, and now it’s starting to come together for him. The 6’5″ wing showed the ability to shoot it from deep, finish above the rim in transition, handle it in transition and rebound with bigs. He also spent most of the game guarding Byrd star Alex Fitch, although he switched and guarded multiple positions throughout the game. He finished with 13 points, including three from deep, and 7 rebounds.
Shey Webb | 2018 WF | Northside
The forgotten guy on a loaded Northside group, Webb is essential because he’s an offensive threat that can do a lot of different things for them. He doesn’t have a true position, but he can handle it on the perimeter, shoot it from deep, is a good rebounder and is explosive enough to finish at the basket. He got Northside off to a big start by scoring 9 points on just four shots in the first quarter, and finished with 12 points on the game.