With the NCAA calendar changes this summer the Summer Jam Fest was born. This 3 day tournament is held just outside of Philadelphia in King of Prussia. Hoop Group would like to keep you informed with whats going on in the tournament as it happens. For immediate commentary follow Hoop Group on twitter @TheHoopGroup and for more detailed analysis and information please keep checking back on this post.
10:15 PM– Huge ending to the Mass Rivals vs. Westchester Hawks game. With just over two seconds left and with the Rivals trailing by two, guard Dimitri Floras dribble on the right wing and pulled up for three with a defender in his face. He nailed the shot and put the Rivals up by one. Westchester’s heave at the buzzer missed and the Rivals escaped with the 45-44 victory. Huge win, and they advance. –@DanielJMartin_
8:57 PM – It’s that time, the much anticipated match up of Westchester Hawks (NY) vs. Mass Rivals. This game is loaded with high-end talent, arguably the most of any game the whole tournament. This has a championship feeling to it even though it’s for the right to move onto the 17U Gold Bracket Semi-Finals and not the ‘whole enchilada’. Here we go, tip-off! — Craig Manfra (@Craigs_Lists)
7:30 PM – On court 1, a 16U Mid-Atlantic battle just went down between Team Philly (PA) and Team Phoenix (NC) that went to the wire. Team Phoenix made a late game run behind their talented and long front court of Ryan Johnson (New Hope Christian Academy/Class of 2014) and Tykwan Garner (Eastern Guilford/Class of 2014). Garner is 6-foot-7 and lanky, but don’t let the stature fool you, he can bang in the paint for rebounds. While Johnson scored 17 points and showed great inside-outside game by attacking the hoop strong and hitting several mid-range shots. Team Philly’s agile guard, Malik Robinson (Father Judge/Class of 2014), led his team to the 67-60 win with an attack of quick drives that no one seemed able of stopping. The rising junior had a knack of adapting very well to the defense’s physical pressure and altering his shot to finish. – Craig Manfra (@Craigs_Lists)
6:19 PM– The Mt. Pleasant Bulldogs hit a shot at the buzzer to defeat Blue Chip (Md.) by a score of 48-45. With it tied at 48, Mt. Pleasant guard Tony Parker floated out toward the perimeter and hit a shot over the fingertips of a defender as time expired. Mt. Pleasant moves on. Lucas Shapiro caught it on tape, so we’ll have it posted later. –@DanielJMartin_
5:21 PM- Play has been extremely competitive thus far in the tournament. It seems that at least two or three games per game block (five games total in each block at event HQ) are decided by five points or less. Currently, Team Takeover Oz (DC) and Expressions Elite (MA) are battling it out in a close one on Court 1. Expressions leads 51-48 with three minutes remaining, and it feels like a tight finish is inevitable. –@Edgar_Walker
4:36 PM- Watching Team Philly play right now. Team Philly was dominant last summer at Hoop Group events, featuring Maurice Watson and Brandon Taylor. Watson has moved on to Boston University and Taylor to Penn State, leaving rising senior and Penn State commit Brandon Austin as the main scorer on the team. –@DanielJMartin_
3:55 PM - The way things are breaking in the 17U Gold Bracket it appears the game of the day will be the expected second round match-up between the Westchester Hawks (NY) and Mass Rivals (MA).
Rivals’ twin towers of 6-foot-8 Noah Vonleh (New Hampton School, NH/Class of 2014) and 6-foot-9 Goodluck Okonoboh (Tilton School, NH/Class of 2013) have powered their team out to a 20-point lead early in the second half against Drill 4 Skill (PA), while the Hawks have a 26-point lead over New Heights White (NY) with under five minutes to play in the game.
Samuel Dingba (Salisbury School, CT/Class of 2013) and Chris Regus (St. Patrick’s, NJ/Class of 2013) have led the Hawks. –@pfebbraro
2:28 PM- There’s a strong New England presence this year at Summer Jam Fest. Among the teams performing well from the region are ECE Mass, Connecticut Basketball Club (CBC), Mass Rivals, Expressions Elite, and more. –@Edgar_Walker
1:37 PM- Brackets/results/schedules have been updated! Continue to check back throughout the weekend as we update the brackets. –@Edgar_Walker
12:45 PM- CBC-Smith is one of the most talented teams in the tournament. They had an impressive win over Team Philly last night and looked to make a deep run in the Gold Bracket this afternoon. They met up with Raritan Roundballers in the first round, which is the ultimate trap game team. The Roundballers don’t have the traditional superstar but they play a solid brand of team basketball and that helped them beat CBC-Smith 72-59 in the opening of bracket play. Have to bring your gave, every game at Hoop Group Jam Fest. –@DaveKrupinski
11:49 AM - Doesn’t get much better than this! In a highly talented 17U match up of New Heights (Blue Team) vs. NYC Jayhawks which was evenly fought, tied at Halftime (30-30) and end of regulation (56-56), one team had to step up to move on in the Gold Bracket. Enter 6-foot-2 guard Joshua James (Stepinac HS) of New Heights. Down 60-62, James hit a clutch corner three-pointer with time expiring to win it by 1 for NYC bragging rights! James’s teammate, Hassan Martin (Curtis HS), was the game’s high scorer with 20 points and attacked the basket with an impressive quick first step. – Craig Manfra (@Craigs_Lists)
11:08 AM- Just to clear up any confusion, the 15U bracket is not set yet. 15U pool play will continue into the afternoon, with the last pool game set to tip at 3:00 PM. After that game, brackets will be finalized and updated online. –@Edgar_Walker
10:50 AM- In the 16U bracket, ECE Mass and New York Gauchos are going at each other right now in a physical, high-intensity game. While the game has been close and low-scoring throughout, ECE has opened up their biggest lead yet, 28-21, with 10 minutes remaining. –@Edgar_Walker
10:10 AM- The outstanding performers from Day One of Summer Jam Fest have been released. Click here to view the article, which highlights some of the more impressive players from yesterday’s action. –@Edgar_Walker
9:05 AM – With yesterday’s Day One of Summer Jam Fest being an eventful one, today’s second day is sure to match it with highlights and breakout performances. Teams have already starting playing and chatter is high on the hardwood. Go to http://bit.ly/MAe4gb to see all the updated brackets and schedule for today’s games! –@Craigs_Lists
Follow our digital media team on Twitter for more updates throughout the day:
- Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup)
- Dan Martin (@DanielJMartin_)
- Lucas Shapiro (@lucashapiro)
- Ashley Biddle (@Ashley_OnSports)
- Craig Manfra (@Craigs_Lists)
- Peter Febbraro (@PFebbraro)
- Edgar Walker (@Edgar_Walker)
- Dave Krupinski (@DaveKrupinski)
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