5 Takeaways: University School vs. Westminster Academy
Nationally-ranked University School started fast, busting out to a 20-6 advantage, and ran past Westminster Academy, 87-66, Thursday in the 2018 South Florida Shootout at Nova Southeastern University.
The contest matched up the top two programs in Broward County in 2018-19 and was a showdown of defending state 4A & 5A champions. Here are the top 5 Takeaways from Davie:
Coach K. in the house
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was sitting courtside Thursday to watch 2019 Blue Devils 6-foot-10 commit Vernon Carey Jr. and 6-8 2020 star Scottie Barnes.
Carey verbally committed to Duke at University School last week, selecting the Blue Devils over Michigan State and North Carolina.
“It was pretty cool,” Carey said of playing with Krzyzewski in the front row.
Big 2 do not disappoint
Barnes and Carey had impressive games in front of Coach K.
Barnes, one of the top prospects nationally in the 2020 class, posted a double-double with 29 points and 14 assists. He drilled three 3-pointers on the way to 17 points in the first half to allow the Sharks to build a 39-27 halftime advantage.
Carey finished with 24 points (15 in the second half) and 8 rebounds.
“I think Scottie hit three of his first four 3s and then Vernon came in and had a couple 3s himself,” Westminster Academy coach Ehren Wallhoff said. “When they shoot that [inaudible], you’re trying to keep them out of the paint. You’re trying to keep them from getting easy buckets, and when they’re shooting it that well they’re real tough to beat.”
Junior Roger McFarlane added 11 points for University School and freshman Jett Howard had 10.
WA finds range in 2nd half
After just one 3-pointer in the first half, Westminster Academy senior guards Chase Johnston and Sam Griffin responded by connecting on nine 3s in the second half.
Johnston, who has signed with Purdue Fort Wayne, canned six 3-pointers in the second half and had seven for the game. He finished with 22 points.
Griffin — a Texas Arlington signee — also finished with 22 points, including three 3s. Johnston and Griffin scored all but two of the Lions’ points in the second half.
“Chase Johnston just kept taking steps back and hitting more and more 3s,” University School coach Jim Carr said. “Their guards can shoot as well as anybody we’re going to face.”
Westminster senior big man Anthony Atkinson had an impressive first half with 14 points. He did not score over the final two quarters and fouled out.
Flowers a major addition
University School received a major boost with the addition of senior guard Zay Flowers off the football team.
Flowers finished with just 2 points vs WA, but he provides experience — which includes key minutes in last year’s GEICO Nationals — and plays excellent pressure defense.
“Perfect time for us with that,” Carr said of getting Flowers back into the fold. “Elite defender … his infectious energy and personality. Great addition this time of the year. He just boosts everything. We can play a lot more man [defense] when Zay is on the floor.”
Flowers is a Division I prospect in football with offers including Boston College, Kansas State, N.C. State, Nebraska and South Carolina.
Tournament time
University School (6-0) heads to the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers next week. The Sharks will open vs. St. Louis Vashon on Tuesday. The tournament runs through Saturday Dec. 22.
Westminster Academy (8-1) will be playing in the Kreul Classic in Coral Springs next week. The Lions open up vs. Tampa Hillsborough on Thursday Dec. 20.
If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.