Portsmouth Invitational Tournament – Day Two
Day two began with the two losing teams from the first days battles squaring off in the double elimination tournament. With losers go home as the mantra, Jose Juan Barea dished out 12 assists and scored 14 points as seven members of Beach Barton Ford netted double figures in a 101-93 victory, starving off elimination and sending Tidewater Sealant packing. Barea, an undersized point guard with international roots (Puerto Rico), has the ability to make everyone around him better. Kenny Adeleke led his team with 19 points, while Justin Williams had 12 points, 12 boards and 3 blocks. Williams is emerging as one of the camp’s better prospects.
Tidewater was led by Chris Quinn’s 21 points, and a 19-point, 14-rebound workout from Cincinnati’s Eric Hicks. Yemi Nicholson added 13 points, 16 rebounds and 5 blocks, as he too has caught the eye of many NBA teams.
In the first game of the nightcap, Tennessee’s C.J. Watson tallied 17 points to lead a balanced attack as Holiday Inn advanced with a 93-89 thriller over Norfolk Sports Club. Clemson’s Akin Akinbgala scored 15 points and impressed several scouts with his upside and potential.
Norfolk was led by Duke’s Sean Dockery, who came off the bench and netted 14 points, handed out 11 assists and had 2 steals. The Blue Devil played with poise and seemed to be a calming influence on his teammates. Iowa’s Greg Bruner chipped in with 12 points and 12 boards while Delaware’s Harding Nana, a late addition to the camp, had 5 blocks.
The third and final game of the night saw Valparaiso’s Mohamed Kone tally 15 points and 12 boards as he led MD Design to a 79-74 win over Sales System. Kone added two blocks and was an active defender the entire game. Je’Kel Foster of Ohio State added support with 14 points, 5 assists and 9 boards.
For Sales System, Michigan’s Daniel Horton scored 16 points and was a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. UNC’s David Noel added 13 points and 6 rebounds.
Around the Gym
Word spread throughout the gym that Seton Hall had selected Manhattan’s Bobby Gonzalez as their new head coach. Earlier it was learned that George Mason’s Jim Larranaga had declined an interview with the Hall. Valparaiso’s Homer Drew arrived to watch both Dan Oppland and Mohamed Kone play. The coaching staff of Marquette, led by head man Tom Crean, was here in support of Steve Novak. Fran McCaffery traveled from upstate New York to watch Siena’s Antoine Jordan.
From the Sidelines
In past years the PIT was home to agents from all over the US. Several veterans mixed in with newcomers trying to land a client or two and begin the process of making their mark in the business. Over the past two years the mix has begun to change, with this years PIT possibly having more international scouts/agents than their US counterparts. The players’ host hotel has been filled with conversations in foreign languages and the contrast is stark. Most of the 64 college seniors competing here will never play in the NBA. So where do they play? For many it will be overseas in a country where English is not the spoken language. The large representation of international teams, scouts and agents is a reminder about where most of these kids are headed.
AfterWords
The second night is always the night that the NBA’s host hotel: The Renaissance seems to have an NBA game on the wide-screen TV in the bar and this night was no exception. Approximately 12 NBA teams gathered and watched the Lakers-Nuggets contest along with the internationals here and media reps. The never-ending chatter went on long after the game ended.
Let the games continue!
