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City of Palms News and Notes

Ft. Myers, Fla.- We are preparing recaps for every game of the event, but in the meantime here are some highlights from Friday and Saturday’s action, including Kenny Boynton’s record-breaking performance.

*Semifinal #1: Samardo Samuels scored 25 points to lead St. Benedict’s past Helen Cox to advance to the City of Palms finals.  Greg Monroe was held to just 11 points (in addition to 15 rebounds and a handful of assists) on 5-17 shooting.  St. Benedict’s frontcourt of Samuels and Greg Echenique were just too much for Monroe to overcome.  Monroe did, however, have the most impressive play of the game when he drove past two defenders for a one-handed dunk that brought the house to it’s feet. 

*Semifinal #2: Chester, led by Rahlir Jefferson (18 points and 9 rebounds), Russell Johnson, (11 points and 12 rebounds), Nasir Robinson (12 points and 12 rebounds) and Karon Burton (16 points) knocked off Holy Cross, 62-53, to set up a meeting with St. Benedict’s in the championship game.  Sylven Landesberg scored 22 points for Holy Cross.

*Kenny Boynton scored a tournament record 61 points on 22-33 shooting to lead American Heritage to an 88-71 win over Dunbar on Saturday morning.  39 of those 61 came in the second half when he was being double and triple-teamed, leaving no doubt that Boynton is one of the most unstoppable scorers in the nation.

*6’7 junior Noel Johnson of Fayette County (GA) lived up to his billing as a top-20 junior nationally when he scored 31 points in his team’s 81-79 loss to Olymia.  Olympia was led by 6’6 junior William Green’s 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks.

*6’5 senior Tyler Portwood continued his fine showing with 29 points in Scott County’s 71-60 win over New Hope.

*Matt Humphrey scored 25 points (21 of which came in the game’s first 10 minutes) to lead Hales Franciscan to a 72-70 win over American Heritage (who was playing without Eloy Vargas).

Stay tuned for more from the City of Palms Classic!

Nathan@HoopsReport.com