Elfrid Payton Elite vs. New Orleans Elite 16U (Carnival HoopFest Championship): Video Highlights
Elfrid Payton Elite and New Orleans Elite were considered favorites by most heading into last weekend’s Carnival HoopFest tournament at Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans. The two teams are routinely two of the top grassroots programs in the state…
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Continue ReadingElfrid Payton Elite and New Orleans Elite were considered favorites by most heading into last weekend’s Carnival HoopFest tournament at Xavier’s Convocation Center in New Orleans. The two teams are routinely two of the top grassroots programs in the state and neither disappointed in the 16U division reaching the championship game on Sunday.
They also met during pool play on Saturday with EPE getting the upper hand, 64-48, but the championship game proved to be a much closer contest that came down to the wire. New Orleans Elite was able to gain a bit of separation early on taking a 15-10 lead but the two teams essentially traded baskets for the rest of the half with NOE holding a slim 25-24 advantage at the break.
The second half offered much of the same with neither team leading by more than four and Comeaux 2018 W Devaughn Thomas gave EPE a 51-48 lead with a 3-pointer from the corner with 2:31 to play. NOE reclaimed the lead soon after, though, when a turnover led to a breakaway layup for Landry-Walker 2019 G Dywan Griffin, then Landry-Walker 2018 F Semaj Matthews stole a pass and kicked it ahead to Griffin for another layup and a 54-51 lead with 1:12 to go.
EPE was able to get a bucket and a stop to get one more possession with a chance to take the lead and St. Paul’s 2018 W Parker Edwards delivered with a 3-pointer to put EPE up 56-54 with 24 seconds to play. Back-to-back turnovers by both teams gave NOE one more chance to take the lead with a few seconds left but Advance Prep International (TX) 2018 Isaiah Lewis’ halfcourt heave was off-target giving EPE the win and the Carnival HoopFest 16U title.
Edwards and Thomas were two of EPE’s top producers while Griffin filled it up for NOE dropping a handful of 3-pointers. Lewis was most effective attacking the rim and stood out on several occasions over the weekend with his explosive leaping ability.
Here’s a look at Sunday’s championship matchup between EPE and NOE at Carnival HoopFest: