The Best: Metro Christian vs Regent Prep
Metro Christian and Regent Prep in a Top-10 matchup set the scene for an electric atmosphere. Both crowds showed up to the game and were loud and proud throughout the game. Despite being smaller schools it might have been one of the loudest games across the state. The game was tightly contested throughout the game. Metro took the lead after one quarter of play by 6 points. Regent then came storming back in the second quarter to take a one-point advantage into the half. Throughout the second half the game was played on a knife’s edge. Metro took their largest advantage of the game early in the fourth quarter when they led by 8. Regent then came all the way back and had the possession for the final shot of the game. Regent missed the shot as they fell to Metro 42-41.
The Best Aspect: The Crowds
The crowds made a huge impact on the game. Both teams’ rowdy crowds went back and forth with their respective school chants. Both crowds were heavily involved throughout the game. The gym was arguably the loudest throughout the state and maybe throughout the year. Regent Prep’s crowd spurred their comeback in the fourth quarter that fell just short.
The Best Shooter: Caden Hale 2020 Metro Christian Guard
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm shooting the ball throughout the night. However, Hale found his stroke from the perimeter. He hit multiple big three-pointers throughout the game and was the leading scored for the Patriots on the night with 9 points. All of his points came from behind the arc.
The Best Point Guard: Ryan Johnson 2019 Metro Christian Guard
Johnson was pivotal for the Patriots on the night. He handled the ball for the majority of the game and did not turn the ball over. He attacked the basket well and down the stretch of the game, Johnson hit some big free throws that ended up being the winning points for Metro Christian. Johnson finished with 6 points on the night with four of them coming from the charity stripe.
The Best Underclassmen: Jack Wright 2020 Regent Prep Guard
Jack Wright was big for the Rams against Metro Christian. Wright spurned the comeback in the fourth quarter as well. He did not shy away from taking the big shot as he welcomed the opportunity. Down the stretch in the fourth quarter the Rams turned to Wright on multiple occasions to knock down the shot. Wright finished with 11 points as 7 of them came in the fourth quarter.
MVP: Jonathan Buskirk 2019 Regent Prep Guard
It is not often that the MVP of a game is on the losing team but Buskirk deserves it. He was consistent throughout the game and notched points in all four quarters for the Rams in a game that lacked offense. He was big on both ends of the ball as he finished multiple second chance opportunities. On the defensive side of the ball he proved to be big, as he would limit whomever he guarded. He was the leading scorer for the game with 14 points on the night.