By RENALDO DORSETT
Sports Reporter
rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
THE inaugural Buddy Hield Invitational produced one of the best endings event organisers could ask for, a near capacity crowd and a thrilling finish on the court.
Adam Johnson scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and dished five assists to lead Team Alpha to a 94-93 win over Team Elite at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
Along with MVP honours, Johnson - who led his Jordan Prince William Falcons to a BAISS Championship this past season - was awarded the invitational’s ultimate prize, a $10,000 college scholarship.
“This really feels great, having the opportunity to show what I can do in front of this crowd,” said Johnson. “It means a lot that I was selected as the MVP, because it means that people are watching and taking note. Even though we went down in the game, we kept believing in each other and we stayed strong.”
Johnson beat out a talented field for the MVP honour, most notably Corey Sands of the CC Sweeting Cobras who finished with 12 points and 10 assists.
Hield said he was impressed by the effort and skill level of the players throughout the afternoon.
“I thought the game was great. Team Elite fought back, but they didn’t fight hard enough. Simple mistakes by some young guys cost them, but today was all about togetherness and playing for the community,” he said. “I just wanted the kids to learn from this and to use this as an experience moving forward. Thanks to all the sponsors that came and backed this and to all the organisers that helped make it possible.”
The invitational capped a hectic four-day schedule for Hield, who looked most comfortable back in his environment on the basketball court.
“Its been crazy. I don’t think I’ve slept yet but I have to give it all back to the people. The people support me so much and I have to give it all back to them,” Hield said. “Being where I come from, sticking to my roots, everyone seeing me all over television, giving it back to them is important and seeing one of their own giving back is a big deal. I’m just trying to inspire kids to be the next Buddy Hield.”
Closely contested throughout, the game was tied at the end of the first quarter and team Elite led headed into both the third and fourth quarters.
Trailing by six entering the fourth, team Alpha would go on a run that produced an 18-point swing and they eventually led by as much as 12.
Charles Rahming was fouled with three seconds remaining and knocked down two free throws on the opposite end to put team Alpha up 94-93 for the game’s final margin.
Azaro Roker of the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves led team Elite with 22 points and 14 rebounds. He also won the High Flyers Slam Dunk Contest while Janeko Russell of the Tabernacle Falcons won the Three-Point shooting contest.
Tabernacle teammates Cedric Delancey and Franco Miller finished with 16 and 17 points for Team Alpha respectively.
“Seeing that Buddy was just drafted into the NBA, it was a great opportunity to come out and represent for him. I just wanted to come out and showcase my talents,” Miller said. “Growing up I was always hearing about Buddy so I tried to mimic my game after his a little bit and I feel like I can be the kind of the same player.”
Kaleel Solomon of the Sunland Stingers finished with 15 points while Livingston Bromwell of Ridley College in Ontario, Canada finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds for Team Elite
“I thought it definitely was fun. I came out here, shared the ball and had a blast with these fellas,” said Solomon who is bound for Eastern Florida State College in the Fall.
“You always want to work on every aspect of your game. I want to work on my shot a little more, work on getting a little bigger and work on my speed and agility and ball handling. I’m looking to bring my leadership, defence work ethic and a couple buckets here and there.”
Bromwell said the event provided ideal exposure for the players involved.
“It was good to play in this event and its good exposure for me to show my talents. Whether we won or lost it was a good competition but I really enjoyed it,” he said, “I think I played a fair game, when you put a group of guys together it can get out of hand a bit, some guys are used to playing different styles of games. It’s a different mixture of talent on one team and everyone trying to build chemistry within a few days.”
Sebastian Gray, a Sunrise Christian Academy alum bound for Northern Oklahoma College, said Hield always served as an inspiration for the players at the school in Wichita, Kansas who looked to follow a similar path.
“It was a good opportunity, a special moment to be in the first game. I enjoyed it and had fun with the guys,” he said, “Every time Buddy came down [to Sunrise] he always talked with the guys from the Bahamas and encouraged us to work hard, stay focused and do what we have to do and see where that message got him.”
Hield’s tour continues this week in Grand Bahama where he will share honours with fellow Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones.
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