Final Four Set for National Prep Championship

New England Recruiting Report | Thursday, March 9th, 2017

The 2017 National Prep Championship tipped off on Wednesday at Albertus Magnus College with opening round and quarterfinal action. When it was all said and done Brewster Academy, Putnam Science Academy, Hargrave Military Academy, and Northfield Mount Hermon School were the four remaining in contention for the national championship.

The semi-finals will tip Thursday with Brewster facing Putnam at 11 following by Hargrave and NMH at 1.

Thursday's Results

Notre Dame Prep 54 Massanutten Military Academy 48

Devante Jones and Charles Falden led their respective teams with 23 and 22 while Zep Jasper and Melo Eggleston chipped in with 13 and 12 from the Crusaders but this was a defensive battle throughout with Notre Dame Prep holding on for the win.

Cushing Academy 77 Fork Union Military Academy 70

David Duke scored 21 points to lead four players in double figures for Cushing while FUMA was led by the duo of LePear Toles and Lamont McManus with 22 and 20 respectively. Francis Uzorh was huge for the Penguins as well, finishing with 18, while Wabissa Bede and Greg Kuakumensah chipped in 12 each.

South Kent 89 Tilton 77

After a back-and-forth first half, South Kent got hot from the perimeter in the second to build up a substantial lead but Tilton continued to fight back. Eeam team had five different players finish in double figures. South Kent was led by Kevin Smith's 24 along with 12 from Alex Vilarino, 11 from Ramiir Dixon-Conover, and 10 from Trevor Moore and Malachi de Sousa. Jalen Butler had 18 for Tilton while Ryan Layman added 17, Terrell Brown 14, Marcuz Zegarowski 12, and Eric Beckett 12.

Brewster Academy 93 Notre Dame Prep 70

The Bobcats picked up right where they left after Sunday's NEPSAC championship with another dominant outing. Curtis Haywood scored a team high 20 while Sidney Wilson Jr. added 15 and Aaron Wheeler 12. Devante Jones capped his prep career in the same way he started it with a whopping 30 points.

Putnam Science Academy 74 Cushing Academy 69

PSA got all they could handle from a hard fought Cushing squad but relied on great balance to advance to the Final Four. Eric Ayala hit four threes to finish with 18 while Malik Ondigo, Isaac Kante, Jaheam Cornwall, and Lapri McCray-Pace were also in double figures. Wabissa Bede led Cushing with 21 while Francis Uzorh had 12.

Hargrave Military Academy 101 South Kent 80

The defending national champions pushed the tempo from start to finish and earned their latest trip to the National Prep Championship Final Four. The Tigers also boasted a balanced attack with Brandon Kmnapper finishing with 16, Clayton Hughes 15, Naji Marshall and Braxton Beverly 13 each, and Justin Brown with 10. Malachi de Sousa scored 25 for the Cardinals while Nelson and Smith paced the backcourt with 13 and 10 respectively.

Northfield Mount Hermon 65 Springfield Commonwealth Academy 51

Hasahn French had 21 for the Tornadoes but Chuck Hannah's defense was a factor from start to finish. Jonathan Duvivier had 10 while Malik Pouncey had three threes for nine points. Kellen Grady and Tomas Murphy formed a lethal inside-out tandem as Grady had 20 and Murphy 16.