Peach Jam (15s) 5 Takeaways: Nightrydas Elite vs. Strive for Greatness
Nightrydas Elite, out of Florida, and Strive for Greatness, out of California, tipped off the 2019 Nike Peach Jam with a double-overtime thriller Wednesday.
Here are 5 Takeaways from North Augusta, S.C.:
Nightrydas fight back
Nightrydas Elite fought back from a 65-51 deficit with 5:04 remaining in regulation to force overtime and outlasted Strive for Greatness, 86-81, in two overtimes on the opening day of Peach Jam. SFG led 35-28 at the half before ballooning the lead to double-digits in the second half. The game was tied 73-all at the end of regulation and 80-80 after the first OT.
Five in double-digits
2022 shooting guard Jett Howard, out of Davie University School, led a balanced offensive attack for Nightrydas with 19 points. Howard connected on three 3s and got to the free-throw line often (6 makes).
2022 guard Ja’Cari Henderson, from Sanford Seminole, also hit three 3s en route to 18 points and 2022 forward Gregg Glenn III (Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian) had a double-double with 17 points/11 rebounds. 2022 Fabio Basili (Orlando Oak Ridge) contributed 14 points and 2022 DeMari Henderson (Sanford Seminole) had 10.
Hendersons huge
The Henderson twins were huge in the W. The 6-foot-1 guards are quick, active, explosive leapers. They do it at both ends … the twins are ball-hawks on defense. “We just knew we had to play defense and we’ll be good,” Ja’Cari Henderson said. “We played good defense all game. That’s all we need to do: Execute on defense, get easy buckets on offense.” As for the double-digit deficit in the second half, Cari said: “We don’t worry about being down because we’ve been in this situation before. We play through adversity.”
Skyy has no limit
Heritage Christian School (Calif.) 6-2 2022 guard Skyy Clark made a believer out of me. Clark is tough … and clutch. He poured in 26 points in the pool-play loss to Nightrydas. Clark converted on eight field goals — including three 3s — and got to the free-throw line often (7 makes).
6-2 2023 Bronny James — son of LeBron James — started at guard and was held to one 3-pointer and 3 total points.
No quit in Dior
SFG guard Dior Johnson (Arizona Hillcrest Prep) had to be carried off the floor late in the game with bad leg cramps and then came back in to nail the game-tying 3-pointer to end the first overtime, 80-80. The 6-2 2022 canned eight field goals en route to 18 points. Johnson is not only a scorer. He brings energy and D’s it up. 6-10 2022 Sadraque Nganga had 11 points.
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via Twitter at @PLamRecruiting or via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com