Hoop Mountain Prep Classic Day 1 Recap
The much anticipated Hoop Mountain Prep Classic got underway late Friday afternoon and showcased a variety of talented college prospects in four competitive games.
Game 1 – St. Mark’s 67 Boston Trinity Academy 37
Two teams with championship aspirations kicked off their season in style with a head to head match-up between two of the favorites in Class C & D with St. Mark’s and Boston Trinity.
With Boston Trinity’s primary eight man rotation featuring six underclassmen and five newcomers they simply didn’t yet have the continuity to contend with a well oiled machine like St. Mark’s.
Behind their customary lock down defense and some well timed transition buckets, St. Mark’s opened up a commanding lead and ran away with the game. Nate Lubick led the way with 24 points while Alex Murphy and Kaleb Tarczewski both showed signs of their tremendous talent and potential.
The young big fella in particular showed some added dimensions dunking in transition and sporting a newfound jump hook inside the lane.
Game 2 - National College Prep 72 REDA 55
National College Prep, a new prep school from California, took an REDA, an off-shoot of the disbanded NEDA (Canada’s National Elite Development Academy) in the second game of the afternoon. While there may not have been any local New England products on the floor the two teams brought out a handful of local college coaches as both clubs featured a few quality division I products. Ultimately National College Prep would pull away for a 72-55 lead behind 17 points from Royce Williams.
Game 3 - Ocean Academy 67 IMG Prep 51
Speaking of talent, New Jersey’s Ocean Academy was sporting plenty of it. Rashawn Shores scored a team high 17 points but he was just one of many Ocean products to impress the on-looking coaches. Big man David Laury also impressed for the victors as they would out-duel IMG prep for a 16 point victory.
Game 4 - Putnam Science Academy 50 IMG High School 48
The final game of the night brought in the local attraction as nearby Putnam Science Academy took on IMG’s prestigious high school team from Florida. Behind a spirited local crowd, PSA was able to score an upset. Taquan Zimmerman picked up right where he left off this fall as he scored 23 points including some crafty drives to the basket and tough three-pointers. PSA will return to the Marianapolis hardwood for Saturday’s nightcap at 7pm as they take on Satellite Academy from New York.
Saturday’s Schedule
10:00 – Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) vs. Master’s School (CT)
11:30 – National Prep Academy (CA) vs. IMG Prep (FL)
1:00 – REDA (CAN) vs. Boston Trinity (MA)
2:30 – Brimmer & May School (MA) vs. Suffield Academy (CT)
4:00 – Proctor Academy (NH) vs. Marianapolis Prep (CT)
5:30 – IMG HS (FL) vs. Ocean Academy (NJ)
7:00 – Sattalite Academy (NY) vs. Putnam Science Academy (CT)