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Notes from Saturday morning at the King James Classic

By: James Mulcahy

The second day of the King James Classic started off with a bang when we got our second glimpse of the Atlanta Celtics (only this time they were even more loaded as they added top 20 junior Noel Johnson to their roster this morning) as they attempted to avenge a loss to the Illinois Warriors who beat them in the semifinals of the Real Deal on the Hill last week. 

And the Celtics, giving their best impression of their NBA-counterparts, got the 84-76 win this time behind strong efforts from sophomore guard Trae Golden (23 points, 2 assists), junior forward Derrick Favors (21 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks), and junior wing Noel Johnson (18 points and 5 assists). 

Coaches in attendance for the Celtics-Warriors game included Clemson’s Oliver Purnell, Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt, and assistants from Stanford and West Virginia.

In other early morning action, assistants from Marquette and George Washington were on hand to watch the Playground Warriors Elite knock off Illinois Elite behind a combined 22 points from juniors Jamil Wilson (6’7 forward) and Johnnie Lacey (5’10 point guard).  Wilson and Lacey are two of the top players in Wisconsin out of the class of 2009.

In a 9:20 (am) game, the New York Gauchos cruised to a 22 point win over the Gateway Basketball Club behind 22 points from 2009 standout Durand Scott (6’5 wing).  Scott’s sophomore teammate Doron Lamb (6’4 guard) added nine points for the winners.  GBC was led by 6’7 junior Tyler Griffey’s 20 points.  Coaches in attendance included Miami (Fl.)’s Frank Haith, Pitt’s Jamie Dixon, West Virginia’s Bog Huggins, Kansas State’s Frank Martin, Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt, and assistants from Rutgers, Louisville (who is very high on Doron Lamb’s list), Rhode Island and Temple.

In recruiting notes, 6’4 junior guard Lorenzo Brown from Alpharetta, Ga. (Centennial), tells us that Memphis and North Carolina State lead for his services right now, but that Florida, Tennessee and Kansas are also involved.

Stay tuned for more breaking news from the King James Classic!