1 of 1 Invitational Did Not Disappoint

<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">There was not one matchup that lacked talent at Phillip O Berry at the 1 pf 1 Invitational. We highlight some of the star players that impressed on a competitive day. </span></p> <p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Abu Stevenson</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> tallied 20 points, including six three-pointers on the day as the 1 of 1 girls win over Concord Assembly. An amazing set shooter that can fill it up in a hurry. </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Zoey Ward </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">for Concord tried to keep her team in it as best she could before she got into foul trouble. Good footwork and has a lot of upside. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">In the second game, </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="848091" first="Quante" last="Berry"]</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> put on a show from start to finish, starting with a ferocious poster slam that put the team up seven early on CanAmera. CanAmera got off to a very slow start and could not make up for the deficit that the Lions put on. </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Jazian Downey </span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">scored an early six and kept fighting in the first half to give his team a chance in the second half. However much like the first half, Berry had his way, getting to his spots, and continued to score at will. before </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="848091" first="Quante" last="Berry"]</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> tweaked his ankle in the third quarter he was leading the way in the press that CanAmera could not break for most of the game. Berry is a quick-twitch guard that has a high motor and can continue to become a really good player with his defensive intangibles. CanAmera will play again tomorrow and I expect their whole team to come out prepared to battle with 1of 1 academy.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">1 of 1 had a tough battle with a Cavaliers team that played aggressively and together. </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">[player_tooltip player_id="863928" first="Orlando" last="Lovejoy"]’s</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> countless aggression and timely shooting propelled 1 of 1 over the Cavs. He got to his spots and shot well on the day. He didn’t let an ankle injury late stop his aggression. </span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Jordan Butler</span></strong><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> had a few dominant bursts, including a posterizing dunk early in the third. He is a smooth player with good hands, as he continues to get more and more aggressive he will get even better. Lovejoy’s 35 points propelled his team past the Cavs. [player_tooltip player_id="1156032" first="Jamal" last="Brown"]’s timely assets and scoring were the perfect yin to Lovejoy’s yang. An aggressive high-energy guy in Brown who has some sneaky craftiness to him as well. The guard picked up three high major offers after his performance, he will have a lot of eyes on him as the season progresses.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The game that stole the show was the matchup between the high-flying backcourt of Vertical Academy, against the second team from Ontario Royal Crown. An athletic and fiery team that came focused and ready to play. Trey Parker started hot from behind the arc, also scoring his 1000th point in his high school basketball career. Thierno Sylla was everywhere on the court throughout the game, his presence was felt the most in the fourth. Three dunks, a block, and a minor dispute with [player_tooltip player_id="1069091" first="Mikey" last="Williams"] fueled his efforts to an impressive win for Royal Crown. Mikey did not disappoint, with multiple highlight-reel dunks and an average shooting day on the afternoon. Tough finishes, strong defense, and a lot of athleticism fueled this game to the very finish. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Excited to see how this helps all eight teams grow, as they prepare for conference and playoffs. Excited for another event that 1 of 1 puts together with a lot of unique talent that we don’t often get to see in North Carolina. </span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"> </span></p>