Big Apple Basketball Invitational Recap
Words. Arie Stark
(B-More's Nick Faust)
In a week full of great high school basketball, the eighth annual Big Apple Basketball Invitational was a marquee showcase of the nation’s top seniors and underclassmen.
On Day 1, in the showcase opener, Villanova signee Achraf Yocoubou, a 6-3 guard, finished with 21 points and nine rebounds to Long Island Lutheran (NY) to a 55-43 victory over Paul Robeson (NY).
Benjamin Cardozo (NY) squeaked by Patterson (MD), 62-61, in a back and forth barn-burner. Cardozo’s Sheldon Mickell won MVP with 19 points, nailing 10-of-13 from the stripe while Patterson’s star sophomore point guard Aquille Carr finished with 34 points.
Montreal native Khem Birch led Notre Dame Prep (MA) with 18 points and 12 rebounds as the Crusaders got by South Kent (CT), 86-70. The game totaled nine players who have already committed to Division I colleges.
In the final game of the first day, Thomas Jefferson (NY) cruised to a 63-46 victory over Baltimore City College. Nick Faust, a Maryland signee, led City College with 22 points and seven rebounds.
Day 2 of the BAB Invitational featured great showings from Drew Crudup, Darrel Lucky, Andre Drummond, Dom Pointer and Achraf Yacoubou among others.
Hillhouse (CT) guard Drew Crudup led his team to a nine-point win over Paul Robeson with 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting. The Academics posted 38 fourth-quarter points and came back from a six-point deficit in the final stanza to beat Robeson. Darrel Lucky contributed 32 points in a losing effort.
Quality Education (NC) fell to St. Thomas More (CT), 73-59, despite an impressive performance from senior Dom Pointer (St. John’s) who had 35 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. One of the nation’s top juniors, center Andre Drummond, earned MVP honors with 17 points and 11 rebounds in his team’s victory.
Achraf Yacoubou continued his strong showing on Day 2, finishing with 27 points, 14 rebounds and four steals in a 72-63 Lutheran victory over Rice (NY). Jermaine Sanders added 20 points and six rebounds for Rice in a losing effort.
