The 2010 National Prep School Invitational

Posted on February 8th 2010

The Star studded field was absolutely loaded this year for the 2010 National Prep School Invitational.  New England Prep Stars was there for the day Friday and saw a lot of great hoops.

The first game of the day, featuring a New England squad, Brewster Academy (NH) and CJ Fair lost a heart breaker to NIA Prep of New Jersey.  The game was back and fourth all day until the final 3 seconds when Nia Prep won with a heave 3 point basket as the buzzer sounded.  Brewster lost 73-72 but recieved strong efforts from C Maurice Walker and F CJ Fair.

The next game was another close contest but Heat Academy (VA) defeated St. Thomas More (CT) 69-64.  The story of this game was rebounding and second chance points.  When St. Thomas More Sophomore C Andre Drummond was out of the game the undersized St. Thomas More squad could not match up with Heat's size and fire.  Drummond showed why he is at the top of his class, however, as he scored at will and looked very strong on the post.

The next matchup was not much of a contest as Notre Dame Prep (MA) destroyed RISE Academy (PA) 90-51.  Notre Dame looked very impressive and fast as they were simply too deep and athletic for RISE.  Notable performances were turned in by Memphis bound PG Antonio Barton as well as Providence bound PF Ron Giplaye and unsigned 6'5 SF/Sg Levi Noel of London, England.

The next game featured Westwind Prep (AZ) and Rhode Island's own St. Andrews (RI).  Westwind pulled out a game that was a lot closer than the score indicated 92-83.  The performance of the day was turned in by Syracuse bound Junior G Michael Carter-Williams (pictured left) who dominated the first half with 21 points and scored at will on his way to game high 36 points.  Carter-Williams continues to get better every time we see him and combined with Super Sophomore G Ricardo Ledo they have all the makings of one of the most exciting and talented tandems in the country.

The final game that we attended for the day pitted two Massachusetts squads as St. Marks defeated Winchendon behind 27 points a piece from Georgetown bound PF Nate Lubick and Sophomore Wing Alex Murphy.  This game came down to the buzzer as Lubick drained a shot to make his team victorious.