Haris Memorial Tournament 2018 - Day 1 Recap - Hoopsfix.com

Haris Memorial Tournament 2018 – Day 1 Recap

Mate Okros

The 2018 edition of the annual Haris Memorial Tournament opened on Thursday evening in Manchester, with four games taking place.

Myerscough College vs Charnwood College
Myerscough overcame a three point barrage to came out on top with an 89-82 victory over Charnwood in a battle of two of the top EABL schools.

Charnwood opened the game with four consecutive triples, knocked down nine in the first half and 12 for the game, but ran out of steam, as Myerscough, led by Mate Okros, gained a cushion in the final minutes that they would hold on to down the stretch.

Mate Okros had 15 of his game-high 23 points in the first two quarters, as he went blow-for-blow with Joe Bielak who had all 17 of his points in the first half.

Bradley Kaboza added 19 points for Myerscough, with Lewis McGlasson having 13 and Sanmi Fajana 10.

Greg Wild added 15 for Charnwood, with Niall Harris and Josh Lloyd having 14 each.

Manchester Magic vs CD Póvoa
Malachi Boakye-Yiadom’s potential overtime-forcing free throw rimmed out with time expired allowing CD Povoa to escape with a 75-74 victory over Manchester Magic Under-18s.

With the Portuguese side having been firmly in control through the early stages, leading by as many as 20, Magic had an inspired late rally led by Boakye-Yiadom.

He knocked down back-to-back triples to tie the game with 32 seconds left, before getting fouled at the final buzzer on another three point attempt, where he went 2-of-3, missing the final one that would have forced overtime.

Povoa were led by 21 points and 9 rebounds from Miguel Barros, and 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists from captain Diogo Gomes.

Boakye-Yiadom finished with 24 points and 5 steals, whilst Josh Grant was the only other player in double figures for Manchester with 14 points.

Kent Crusaders vs Blue Ridge
American side Blue Ridge school cruised on their way to a 88-51 victory over Kent Crusaders.

Blue Ridge dominated the glass with 26 offensive rebounds, and got 36 points off of 29 Kent turnovers, as they responded to starting the game 0-5 down with a 16-0 run to grab a stranglehold and never look back.

William Lee had 14 points to lead Blue Ridge, Emesto Torres 13 and Savion Helm and Michael Gray finished with 12 each, the latter adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Jonathan Fakile and Chester Morrell had 13 each to lead Kent.

Haris Select vs CB Nova
CB Nova pulled away in the third quarter for a 80-52 win over Haris Select, who are effectively the England Under-16 squad.

Leading by nine at halftime, the Spanish side held Haris Select to just 8 points in the third period, taking a 22-point lead into the final period where they would run out winners.

All 12 players on their roster got on the scoresheets, led by 13 from Tijmen Boon and 12 from Pablo Villanueva.

Pharrell Wallace-Steel led Haris with 13 points, whilst Michael Belle and Victor Ndoku had 7 each.

Day 2 Schedule

10:30am
Charnwood College Riders vs CB NovaSchool/Manchester Magic vs Kent Crusaders
12:30pm
Haris Select vs Myerscough College/CD Póvoa vs Blue Ridge School
4:00pm
Manchester Magic vs Blue Ridge School/CD Póvoa vs Kent Crusaders
6:00pm
Myerscough College vs CB NovaSchool/Haris Select vs Charnwood College Riders

Notes

  • Worth nothing Myerscough are playing an Under-18 side, minus Callan Low, Charnwood are without Hosana Kitenge for the tournament and Kent Crusaders are without Sam Alajiki.
  • Have contacted the BBF and home nations for official comment on why the ‘Haris Select’ team – despite having the GB Under-16 coaching staff and being kitted out in GB gear – are being referred to us such, but it appears to be political.
  • Fifteen year old Pharrell Wallace-Steel (2003 born) is an impressive physical specimen and athlete; hailing from Birmingham, unbeknown to us he signed in Germany with Ratiopharm Ulm ahead of this season – will get more on that over the coming days.
  • Mate Okros made it look too easy against Charnwood, getting everything in the flow of the offence and playing very unselfishly; he’s already committed to NCAA Division 1 school Drexel for next season.
  • Bradley Kaboza is a lesser known name who was impressive for Myerscough at both ends of the floor. The hard-nosed guard got after it defensively, bringing the intensity and converting some tough scores.
  • GB Under-16 Malachi Boakye-Yiadom had arguably the performance of the day, despite the loss. Unfortunately, I was on the other court during his late-game heroics, but if anyone has the footage – let me know!

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