If there is such a thing as an upset in all star game, this one would be classified as such, as the class of 2014 edge the class of 2013 by a score of 131-128 Sunday afternoon in the fourth annual Nor Cal Clash at Contra Costa College in San Pablo.
Archbishop Mitty’s all-everything star, senior Aaron Gordon, fresh off an MVP performance at the Boost Mobile Elite 24 in Southern California on Saturday, lead all scorers with 41 points (along with 14 rebounds) and was selected player of the game.
The juniors (2014) were behind 74-64 at halftime after being down by as much as 20 points in the first half after a scoring onslaught by Gordon (with 24) and Salesian’s Jabari Bird (with 19). The seniors (2013) increased the lead to 105-91 by the end of the third quarter and things did not look good for the younger class who did not have the lead at all in the first three periods.
But the class of 2014 had a furious rally in the fourth quarter, scoring 40 points to the class of 2013’s 23. Jalen Canty of St. Patrick-St. Vincent had 8 fourth-quarter points to lead the lead the way. St. Joseph-Notre Dame’s Temidayo Yussuf scored on a short floater with 1:55 to give 2013 its’ first lead of the game at 126-125 and they would never trail again. Murshid Randle of Central High in Fresno (who had 6 fourth quarter points) sealed the victory with 1 of 2 free throws with 3.7 seconds remaining.
The game matches up the top talent in Northern California in the junior and senior classes… The series is now tied at 2-2 all time.
NEXT UP: BAY AREA COMPETITION CLINIC
The 9th annual Bay Area Competition clinic will be held Saturday September 8, 2012 at Nor Cal Courts in Martinez from 12 noon to 7 pm. The event is open to individual players and teams in all high school grades (classes of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016).
A report on the event will be done by the Hoop Review scouting service that will be sent to college coaches and various internet sites. Cost is $300 per team or $90 per individual. For more information/application contact Gerry Freitas at 408-998-1327 or via email: gerryfreitas@hotmail.com