Classic Matchup Between Green and Akinjo
Salesian High School (Richmond, CA) took on San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno ,CA) Saturday night at American Canyon High School. It was a packed house as everyone wanted to see the matchup between Sophomore Guard Jalen Green of San Joaquin, and Senior Guard James Akinjo of Salesian High School, who are both at the top of their class. There was a lot of hype about not only the matchup between the two phenoms but the matchup of the two teams who are both well coached and have a lot of talent. Surprisingly, Salesian was able to take care of business early and win convincingly. Salesian led 68-45 at one point before Jonah Geron of San Joaquin hit a few late three-pointers. He would finish with a team-high 24 points and eight three-pointers.
James Akinjo led the charge for Salesian as he would finish with 22 points and nine assists. Sophomore Te’jon Sawyer scored a team-high 23 points off the bench for Salesian, junior guard Jovon McClanahan scored 18, while senior forward Josh Jefferson grabbed 15 rebounds. Sophomore phenom Jalen Green scored 17 points and had eight rebounds, but struggled to get in rhythm for San Joaquin. Things got heated in the third quarter as junior guard Jaden McClanahan of Salesian guarded Green all night. McClanahan would force a turnover near the sideline as Green fell to the ground. McClanahan would step over Green, and Green out of frustration got up quickly. The referees would step in the way before things escalated.
Salesian would win with a final score of 86-74 to close off an exciting basketball game between what people believe to be two future pros in Green and Akinjo. The two would shake hands and acknowledge each other out of respect after the game.