Pulaski, VA - We recently attended the 20th Annual Scrimmage between these two basketball powerhouses dating back to 1990. It has been our good fortune to have been at all twenty. The event features two institutions loaded with outstanding basketball talent that should perform well at some collegiate level, including the elite who could become “stars of tomorrow.” Look for Hargrave Military to be one of the top rated prep schools, and Oak Hill Academy to contend with Findlay Prep, St. Patrick, St. Benedict’s, Mater Dei, and others for the No. 1 high school ranking.
This event consists of two 20-minute halves, which are actually mini-games, since the scoreboard is erased after each period. Coach Steve Smith’s Oak Hill Academy team, topped by still uncommitted New York city product, 6-4 2G Doron Lamb with 15 points; Dayton commit, 6-0 PG Juwan Staten with 13 points; uncommitted 6-7 WF Roscoe Smith with 10 points; and sharpshooting 6-2 2G Keith Hornsby with 9 points on three 3-pointers, won the first period 48-41.
Coach Kevin Keatts’ Hargrave Military squad was led by the outstanding all-around performance of future N.C. State player, 6-5 1/2G Lorenzo Brown with 14 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and an impressive game playing at the point guard position. Brown signed last year with Coach Sidney Lowe’s Wolfpack program, but, failed to attain the necessary test score. He has reaffirmed his decision to remain committed to N.C. State.
Also playing well for Hargrave were 6-8 P/WF Dominique Ferguson, once committed to Kentucky, but now ready to sign next month with Coach Isaiah Thomas’ Florida International program. Ferguson had 10 points, 6 rebounds; followed by uncommitted 6-10 C Shawn Kemp with 7 points, 5 rebounds in the first period.
In the second period with Lorenzo Brown running the show, Hargrave outplayed Oak Hill enroute to a 64-57 win. Interestingly, for the two halves each team finished with 105 points. So, the final result was a draw. Just for argument purposes the “tie breaker” could be the final 10-minute running clock period in which only reserve players participated. Hargrave prevailed by a 16-11 score. 6-4 G/F Marco Porcher scored 8 of Oak Hill’s points, including two three-pointers.
Notes:
The most impressive player for Oak Hill was Doron Lamb, who scored in a variety of ways, but most often slashing to the hoop, and led all scorers with 34 total points. Lamb is now considering Kansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and St. John’s.
Hargrave leader Lorenzo Brown finished with a “triple double,” scoring 28 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 12 assists. He also had 6 steals. He will be a significant addition to Coach Sidney Lowe’s program next year.
Roscoe Smith is a talented wing player for Oak Hill, and had 18 total points. However, he tended to force some shots, and needs to add strength to perform well at the next level.
Reportedly, Connecticut is now the leader over Georgetown, Kentucky, Kansas, Florida, Maryland and Memphis.
After scoring 13 points in the initial period, Juwan Staten was limited to 2 points in the second period, which was a big factor in the results of the contest.
Coach Smith needs more productivity from his big men. Syracuse commit, 6-11 C Baye Moussa Keita, had 4 total points; and 7-1, 300 lbs., C Martins Abele had 2 points in the scrimmage. Oak Hill is hopeful of getting a quality post player either from Senegal or Nigeria in the near future.
Both Dominique Ferguson and Shawn Kemp have improved significantly under the tutelage of Coach Kevin Keatts at Hargrave Military. Ferguson has a much better attitude, and is now an intense competitor. Kemp showed much better shooting technique, and is a more aggressive low post player.
Each team roster included a player related to a significant musical performer. Oak Hill’s Keith Hornsby is the son of singer Bruce Hornsby. And, Hargrave’s Carlton Pride is the grandson of singer Charley Pride.
After a very quiet first half, Oak Hill’s veteran guard, 6-2 1/2G Pe’Shon Howard, was on target for 15 points in the second period. Ditto, for Hargrave’s Arkansas commit, 6-3 2G Mardracus Wade, who scored 14 points, including 3 three-pointers, in the second period.
Hargrave’s talented athelete, 6-7 WF Colton Christian, recently committed to Tulane, did not score in this scrimmage. Pittsburgh commit, 6-1 PF Isaiah Epps, had a “quiet game” for Hargrave with 5 first period points, and zero in the second period.
Colleges in attendance: The only head coach we observed was Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenburg; and assistants from Applachian State, Arkansas, Auburn, Oklahoma, and UNC-Asheville.
Scoring Totals (both periods):
Oak Hill Academy: Doron Lamb 34, Roscoe Smith 18, Juwan Staten 15, Pe’Shon Howard 15, Keith Hornsby 12; Marco Porcher 5, Baye Moussa Keita 4, Martins Abele 2.
Hargrave Military Academy: Lorenzo Brown 28, Dominique Ferguson 21, Shawn Kemp 21, Mardracus Wade 14, Jarvis Davis 10, Isaiah Epps 5, David Chadwick 4, J.J. Mann 2, Colton Christian 0.