5 Takeaways: University School nips Westminster Christian at buzzer

Pat Lammer

January 30, 2019 @ 09:52 PM

Westminster Christian came north from Palmetto Bay to play nationally-ranked University School on Wednesday night in a Class 5A non-district contest in Davie. The two programs could well meet down the road in the FHSAA regionals. Here are 5 Takeaways: <h2>Buzzer-beater saves Sharks</h2> University School, ranked No. 15 nationally in the BallIsLife Fab 50 and No. 20 by MaxPreps, trailed by double-digits, 40-30, going to the fourth quarter. However, the Sharks (17-4) pulled it out, 49-47, on 6-foot-7 freshman Taylor Hendricks' buzzer-beater. Westminster Christian 2021 Joey Brown had tied the game with a 3-pointer with 9.4 seconds left. "Great defense at the end by Joey," Warriors coach P.J. Brown said. "He just made a tough shot." "They are a very good team. Very good team," University School coach Jim Carr added. "Extremely well-coached." Westminster Christian falls to 16-4. <h2>WCS proves it belongs</h2> Westminster Christian proved it could be a factor in the 5A playoffs, going on the road and playing U-School tough. WCS led 12-9 after one quarter, 28-24 at the half and 40-30 going to the 4th. The Warrirors' losses are to Carol City (52-46); Columbus, Ohio, South (74-58); Miami Belen Jesuit (58-55); and defending 5A state champ University School. Westminster Christian is well-coached, passes well and is patient. <h2>Montalvo delivers</h2> Ave Maria University 2019 guard recruit Marcus Montalvo led Westminster Christian with 18 points and Brown added 8. "The whole game we played solid defense and that's why we were able to hold a lead and fight against them the whole game," Montalvo said. The 6-1 Montalvo went into the game as the fifth-leading scorer in Miami-Dade at 22 a game. Montalvo is not super quick nor super athletic, but he handles the ball well and is a scorer. He has a shot soft, can hit from outside, makes 3s and can hit the runners. Zach Moss from the Ave Maria staff was at the game. Asked what college coaches like about his game, Montalvo said: "Basically my basketball IQ and how I play the game. I control the tempo and I can shoot the ball really good." Sophomore big James Henderson (6-8) only scored 4 points on the night but was impressive in limiting University School 6-10 Duke signee Vernon Carey Jr. You needed at least two hands to count Henderson's rebounds and his shot-blocking abilities factor into shot selections. <h2>2022s step up</h2> On a night when University School was without 2020 starters Jace Howard (hairline fracture) and Roger McFarlane (in street clothes) -- and Carey and Scottie Barnes combined to shoot just 11 for 33 -- freshmen Jett Howard and Hendricks played major roles. Jett Howard canned three 3-pointers and had eight big points during a key 12-0 run on the way to 13 points, while Hendricks connected on 5 of 6 from the field for 10. That is 23 of the Sharks' 49. "Taylor played great," Carr said. "I thought the young kids gave us a big lift. Jett got us started in the fourth quarter there." Only four players scored in the game for the Sharks. Carey shot 6 for 17 to finish with 15 points. Barnes (2020) was 1 for 7 in the first half before shooting 4 of 9 in the second to end with 11. Senior guards Logan Alters and Zay Flowers were a combined 0 for 3 from the field. <h2>One of toughest regions in state</h2> Brown said Westminster Christian's strategy was to pack it in and making University School work for shots. He calls this South Florida region one of the toughest in Florida. "We tried to make it as tough for them as possible," Brown said. "Try to force them to make jump shots. Toward the end there we gave a few possessions away ... but really good team. You can't leave possessions like that out there. You've got to be tough and finish plays the whole game." If you have high school basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via e-mail at PatALammer@Gmail.com or via text at 954-661-9671.