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City of Palms Classic: Day 3 Recap

Ft. Myers, Fla.-Greg Monroe and Rashanti Harris went head-to-head in what was one of the best big man matchups we’ve ever seen.  Sylven Landesberg and Kenny Boynton each scored 35 points in their team’s wins.  All this and more on Thursday at the City of Palms Classic.

Game Fifteen

Helen Cox, La.- 75
New Hope, Ms.- 62

After Greg Monroe scored just seven points on opening day against average competition both fans and media alike asked us, “is this guy really the best big man in the entire country?”.  We admittedly began to wonder the same thing.  Was it time to drop Greg Monroe from his spot at the top of the rankings (as far as big men are concerned)?

The following night, Rashanti Harris tallied 32 points and 25 rebounds while leading his team to an overtime win over American Heritage to set up a showdown with Monroe. 

We knew that the Monroe-Harris matchup could make-or-break either players’ reputations.  It would be that type of game.  Everyone would be watching to see if the top player would back up the hype or if the fast-rising sleeper would take his throne.

The game lived up to the hype.

Monroe made a statement early by scoring 10 of his team’s first 20 points with impressive spin moves to the basket, driving dunks and short range shots.  By halftime, Monroe had got his point across while Harris only managed three shot attempts for the entire half.

The second half was even better.  And when Harris stepped up and met Monroe’s challenge the game became an instant classic: a battle between two of the nation’s top big men that will be talked about for years.

During one sequence midway through the third quarter, Monroe hit a left-handed hook shot off-the-glass over Harris.  But Harris came right back and hit a nice right-hander off-the-glass over Monroe.  As if to say, “I’ve got something you can’t match”, Monroe nailed an impressive three-pointer on the next possession.  Harris, who refused to be outdone, immediately demanded the ball on offense and came up with three points of his own-- the old fashioned way.

Late in the fourth quarter Helen Cox began to pull away when Monroe got a steal and went coast-to-coast for a dunk.  But Harris never gave up.  With 18 seconds left he got the ball near the basket and threw down a nasty dunk as Monroe fouled him which sent Monroe to the bench with his 5th foul. 

As Monroe walked to the bench, the entire crowd stood and cheered in appreciation for the effort that was given by the nation’s top big man.  The final score was Helen Cox 75, New Hope 62.

Monroe played like a pro and stuffed the stat sheet with 30 points (13-23fg) and 13 rebounds in addition to a handful of assists and blocks.  If he could match that effort night-in and night-out we’d have to strongly consider him for the top overall spot in the national rankings.  One thing is for sure, he showed in this game that when he brings it, he is simply too quick, too skilled and too big to be stopped.

Harris finished with 28 points (10-13fg) and 12 rebounds, with 22 of those points and eight of the boards coming in the second half.  The unsigned senior came into the event as a player that wasn’t ranked among the top 100 prospects in the country.  He’s going home with the respect of everyone that watched him and strong consideration for a top 25 national ranking.

With Helen Cox winning this game they move on to the semifinals where they will face St. Benedict’s which means we will finally get to see that Greg Monroe-Samardo Samuels matchup.  Stay tuned to HoopsReport.com for a full recap when that game is finished. 

Game Eleven

Monsignor Pace, Fl.- 72
Gainesville, Fl.- 65

Gainesville’s 6’2 junior Greg Gantt shot lights-out on his way to a game high 32 points (including 8 of 9 from downtown), but it wouldn’t be enough to get his team past Pace who held on for the 72-65 win.

Pace was led by 6’3 Florida-signee Ray Shipman’s 20 points (8-13fg).  Rakeem Buckles, a talented 6’8 junior forward, had a good showing and finished with 16 points (7-9fg), five rebounds and three steals.

Game Twelve

American Heritage, Fl.- 63
Bishop Verot, Fl.- 59

6’2 junior Kenny Boynton scored 35 points (12-24fg) as American Heritage survived a scare from the home team Bishop Verot.  5’5 junior Ray Taylor chipped in with 16 points (5-9fg) and seven assists for the winners.

Bishop Verot was led by 6’3 junior Brennen Melvin’s 17 points, including five three-pointers.

Game Thirteen

St. Benedict’s, NJ- 72
Kinston, NC- 44

Louisville-signee Samardo Samuels, a 6’9 senior, recorded a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead #1 St. Benedicts to a 72-44 win over Kinston.  6’2 junior Tamir Jackson scored 15 points for the winners while 6’9 junior Gregory Echenique chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Kinston was led by Reggie Bullock’s 16 points and six rebounds.  The 6’5 sophomore with a nice shooting stroke looks to be a legit high-major wing prospect.

Game Fourteen

Hales Franciscan, Il.- 81
Charlotte, Fl.- 53

Oregon-bound Matt Humphrey, a 6’5 senior, tallied 22 points (9-17fg), five rebounds and four assists to lead Hales Franciscan to an 81-53 win over Charlotte.  Humphrey’s 5’9 junior teammate DJ Cooper was equally impressive on his way to 13 points (5-8fg), nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 

Charlotte was led by UNC-Ashville recruit Chris Stephenson’s 17 points and four rebounds.

Game Sixteen

Chester, Pa.- 83
Scott County, Ky.- 69

Pittsburg-bound Nasir Robinson, a 6’5 wing, put in one of the best performances of the event as he scored 26 points on 10-12 shooting and pulled down 11 boards to help Chester defeat Scott County, 83-69.  Robinson’s teammate, 5’9 senior Karon Burton, added 22 points and nine assists while 6’5 junior Rahlir Jefferson contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Scott County was led by 6’5 senior Tyler Portwood who scored 15 points on 6-11 shooting.

Game Seventeeen

Holy Cross, NY- 66
Woodland Hills Taft, Ca.- 59

Virginia-signee Sylven Landesberg, a 6’5 senior, scored 31 points (10-15fg) and grabbed 11 boards to help Holy Cross earn a spot in the semifinals. 

6’0 senior Larry Drew, who will play his college ball at UNC, tallied 18 points and seven rebounds for Taft.

Stay tuned for more from the City of Palms Classic!