Five Highlights: Whitehaven-Huntington Prep
Whitehaven and Huntington Prep (USAToday National #14 team) competed on a lazy Saturday afternoon in the Penny Hardaway Hoopfest.
The Tigers of Whitehaven managed a grating 60-55 win. Instead of a traditional recap this look at the game will feature five sparkling highlights.
“First off we knew we had to stay together and stay focused and trust our coach,” said MVP Cam Jones.
Murrell Impresses Again
Matthew Murrell challenged Kenny Nwuba (UCLA signee) in the open floor. Murrell easily got his forearm above the rim, but Nwuba used wonderful strength to make it difficult. Ultimately Nwuba was rightfully charged a foul.
The crowd lit up with energy and took the whole free throw trip to cool off.
Special player. Special athlete.
Matthew Murrell Sparkles with the Shot
Murrell understands how to find his shooting window. When the opponent runs out multiple 6’7″+ gents those windows are tight and closing fast.
Still Murrell chose his launchpad and pulled up quickly into the release.
The sophomore scored 13 points on 5-10 shooting. He hit just one three-pointer in three attempts. Importantly, Murrell helped the Tigers with five rebounds, three offensive.
Cameron Coaxes Tech
The Huntington Prep Head Coach, players, assistant coaches, team photographer labeled the officiating atrocious. There were rumblings that it was “the worst I have seen in eight years.”
Partly because of the foul frustration and partly because Cameron did a little yapping a HP player earned a critical final minute technical foul. His teammate racked up his own tech on the back of the first.
Alvin Miles found his way at the free throw line (7-15 FT’s) in the final minute to close it out.
Jones Plays Safety
The big games require big players to play big. Cameron Jones torched Huntington Prep midway through the second quarter.
Sparkling series from @Cambino_ Jones (@JSUGamecocks signee)! He makes a scooped reverse and steals outlet pass only to bury a quick trigger 18' three-pointer. Wow, he covers a lot of ground quickly for a 6'6" @HavenTigers . @faragi11
— PrepHoopsTennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) January 6, 2018
Cameron truly played wing Saturday. There are games when he operates more on the blocks. Against a heavy-footed Prep team Jones elected to attack from the wing.
Quick feet and quick hands enabled Cameron to strike in tight spaces.
“That is really just going off what I have been working on,” said Cam Jones. “Getting into the defense, layups, the nice floater.”
Sparkling series from @Cambino_ Jones (@JSUGamecocks signee)! He makes a scooped reverse and steals outlet pass only to bury a quick trigger 18' three-pointer. Wow, he covers a lot of ground quickly for a 6'6" @HavenTigers . @faragi11
— PrepHoopsTennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) January 6, 2018
Jones finished with 23 ponts (7-18 FG’s) and made three three-pointers. Jones played 30:10 of the possible 32:00 minutes.
Tight Knit Group
The conclusion of the game sent the Tigers roaring into their makeshift locker room. Screams of joy careened off the old concrete floors and out into the hallway.
Huntington Prep -Whitehaven 4Q https://t.co/usRwjp0TVb
— PrepHoopsTennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) January 6, 2018
Tugging down rebounds against the sizable Express frontline took heroic energy and physicality that frankly exceeded the strength capacity of the Tiger guards.
“I thought we were going to be a little timid,” said Cam Jones. “But we fought.”
The players wouldn’t quite say it was their biggest win of the year, but Huntington Prep’s name carries weight throughout the nation and every one interviewed (Cameron Jones, Alvin Miles, Head Coach Faragi Phillips) beamed with pride while discussing the finer points of the game.
“We knew the game plan coming into the game was to make them play our game, which was to use our speed,” said Alvin Miles.
Asked how he and his fellow guards rebounded against guys frequently 80-100 pounds heavier than them.
“It is just heart,” said Alvin Miles.
Anthony Whitmore pulled down three rebounds. Miles finished with 12 points, most of them free throws.
“We have come a long way from last year,” said Miles. “We are trying to find ourselves. We just have to trust the coach and keep playing together.”