Baruch Big Apple Basketball Invitational 2007

January 13th, 2007
By James Miller

RECAP – Winchendon 81 Laurinburg 70

Baruch College – New York, NY, The Big Apple Basketball Invitational tipped of Saturday as Baruch College played host to matchups between 23 top ranked boys high school teams from all over the country. The matinee between Laurinburg (NC) and Winchendon (MA), proved to be a game of scoring runs.

Laurinburg struck first as they opened the game on a 10 – 2 run that was capped by a sick and 1 layup from senior guard Jahmar Young. Laurinburg continued to put the pressure on in the first half thanks to a 4 point play by Jahmar Young that built their lead to 16-7. Young had the hot hand early as he was able to manage 14 points in the half and with the help of teammate Terrel Lynch patrolling the paint, Laurinburg was able to extend their lead to as many as 14 points in the first half thanks to Winchendon’s
15 first half turnovers, in which Laurinburg converted into 16 points.
Young was also aggressive on the defensive end managing 3 first half steals and one in which he stole it, lead the break, and dished behind himself to teammate Terrel Lynch trailing the play for the big time one handed slam that seemed to leave all the momentum in favor of Laurinburg.

However, despite some sluggish play and seemingly being out hustled, Winchendon was able to stay around thanks to 6’8 sophomore center Alex Oriaki crashing the boards like a madman and helping teammates scrap together buckets as Villanova recruit, 6’0 senior guard Malcolm Grant, looked to find his stroke. With Grant going 1-4 FG in the half, Laurinburg would head into the locker room in control and with an 11point lead, 42-31.

The second half would turn out to be all Winchendon as star guard Malcolm Grant showed why he is a D1 recruit as he took control by knocking down his mid-range jumpers and setting the pace for Winchendon’s aggressive man to man defense. Winchendon’s 6’5 junior, Chris Turner also woke up in the second half and began to dominate the game with his athleticism. Turner stepped it up and was able to drill a 3 pointer to cut the lead to 3, 54-57, and after a press break layup by senior Melvin Calhoun to cut the lead to 1, Turner then exploded for a breakaway dunk to give Winchendon it’s first lead of the game 58-57 and Winchendon would never look back.
Turner continued to pour it on and ended the game with 23 points and 7 rebounds en route to garnering the game’s Most Valuable Player Award.
Teammate and Villanova recruit Malcolm Grant ended up finishing with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 6’7 senior Mike Ringgold chipped in with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Laurinburg’s Jahmar Young finished with a team high 22 points and 4 steals earning him the Sportsmanship Award, while Terrel Lynch had 18 points, 7 rebounds and Kasey Mitchell also scored in double figures with 12 points for Laurinburg.

NOTES: Laurinburg’s Sean Carter and Winchendon’s Papa Ousmane both took home the Academic Achievement Award.

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