Lance Stephenson dropped 20 points on 5-of-14 shooting to lead the New York Panthers to an 80-71 semifinal victory over New Heights in the 2009 Is8/Nike Spring High School Classic in Queens, N.Y.
The Panthers will meet the Playaz sophomores in Sunday’s final at 11.
Stephenson, who did not speak with reporters about his college plans, added 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 3 turnovers. He was 10-of-11 from the stripe.
Hofstra-bound guard Chaz Williams scored 10 of his 18 points in the third quarter for the Panthers. He added five rebounds.
Arizona-bound guard Kevin Parrom tallied 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added 3 assists, 2 rebounds and 2 steals.
Pitt commit Lamar Patterson tallied eight points for the Panthers.
Pitt-bound big man Dante Taylor (unexplained absence) and Villanova commit Maalik Wayns (knee) did not play for the Panthers.
Jayvaughn Pinkston, a 6-5 junior out of Bishop Loughlin, led all scorers with 30 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, 10 rebounds and 3 assists for New Heights. He picked up his fourth foul with 6:23 left, though. Pinkston, who has indicated he may not return to Loughlin under its new coach next year, was 5-of-11 from the stripe.
Hakeem Harris of Blair added 15 points for New Heights. St. Anthony junior forward Devon Collier battled foul trouble and finished with 5 points and 6 rebounds for New Heights.
In the first semifinal, the Playaz beat RISE 69-66.
St. Peter’s Prep guard Myles Davis tallied 23 points fro the winners and Paterson Catholic guard Myles Mack tallied 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting.
6-8 PC big man Derrick Randall added 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 blocks. Kyle Anderson had 2 points and 10 rebounds for the Playaz.
6-8 N.C. State-bound big man Richard Howell did not play for RISE, but 6-2 senior shooting guard Isiah Stokley scored a game-high 19 points
THOMAS TO VISIT IONA
Quintrell Thomas will visit Iona on Monday. the 6-8 Thomas, who is leaving Kansas after one season, is also considering Siena, St. Joe’s and UNLV.
His AAU coach, Derrick Bobbitt, said he wouldn’t announce until after Memorial Day.
