J.D. Lewis High School League: Championship Week Preview
The J.D. Lewis High School League Playoffs have arrived to conclude the summer season. Here’s a look at things to watch in the final weekend of action.
The biggest storyline entering the final weekend are the matchups. After going 9-0 during the regular season, the Clippers fell in the opening round to the Suns, 93-83. It took an all-around team effort as six different players finished in scoring in double-figures while 2021 Reece Evans led the way with 20 points along with five assists and five rebounds. Right behind Evans was 2023 Cameron Spencer with 15 points. Evans and Spencer combined to make five 3-pointers in the upset victory.
The Heat handled business against the Hornets, doing away with them 108-74 to enter the semifinals. Will Otto led the way with 32 points and nine assists while Stefon McLeod put up 28 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
The Lakers took care of business against the Warriors with an 80-67 victory while three players posted 20 points or more. Dante Kiesenhofer and Nigel Okwakol put up 25 points apiece while Jakel Powell put up 20 points and snagged five steals. With their stacked frontcourt, it will be interesting to see if they can get to the title game.
The Cavaliers are another team that have picked it up in the playoffs. They defeated the Nets 78-77 in a close one to open the postseason. 2022s Justin Monden and Silas Demary Jr. continued to be a strong backcourt duo as they combined for 55 points as Monden poured in 34 points while Demary put up 25 points. They overcame 28 points from 2020 Kaleb Brooks to get the victory and are now one victory away from the championship game.
Heat vs. Cavaliers
Entering the final weekend, the matchups are intriguing ones, especially considering the Cavaliers could only boast five players against a tough Heat squad. The backcourt battle of Will Otto/Bradley Williams against Silas Demary Jr. and Justin Monden is bound to be an entertaining one. It’s the frontcourt where the Cavaliers may have to worry. They’ll need to stay out of foul trouble, or it could be a long game for them.
Prediction: Heat by 7
Suns vs. Lakers
The Suns have already pulled off one upset but given the Lakers’ size with Kiesenhofer, Okwakol and Powell, they’ll certainly have their hands full with their frontcourt. It’ll be a different look for Reece Evans and company but if they play together as they did against the Clippers and spread the wealth on offense, we could be in for another upset. Don’t sleep on Nik Graves of the Lakers, however.
Prediction: Lakers by 5
Championship
Heat vs. Lakers
Now the championship matchup is pure speculation at this point but if the Heat and Lakers face each other, it should be a memorable game. The Heat have lost only once during the regular season and considering they’ve been playing on a whole nother level of late, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them come out on top.
Prediction: Heat by 8
Catch the final weekend of the J.D. Lewis High School Summer League this Sunday when games begin at 2:00 at the J.D. Lewis Center in Raleigh.