February 2017 | Page 15 of 26 | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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Saturday / November 23.

ROSELLE, N.J. — Naz Reid and his Roselle Catholic teammates found themselves down by 14 points at the half to a Jalen Carey-led Montclair Immaculate team on Sunday at the Primetime Shootout.

It wouldn’t have been a good look for the Lions to lose on their home court to a young upstart team that wants what Roselle Catholic has: two New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles in the last four years.

And that’s when the 6-foot-10 Reid took over.

Dominating against Immaculate’s smaller front line in the paint, Reid scored 25 of his game-high 36 points in the second half and added 18 rebounds and three blocks as the Lions prevailed, 86-74.

Temple-bound guard Nate Pierre-Louis added 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the win.

UNION, N.J. — Like many tall, young Africans, Emmanuel Umoffia came to the United States to pursue a better life through basketball.

He left his parents in Benin City, Nigeria in January 2015 and came to the U.S. on a student visa with hopes of landing a college scholarship to pursue an education and a career in basketball.

“My parents definitely care about education,” the 7-foot-2 junior told me Saturday at the Metro Classic at Kean University where he was watching games as a fan. “They don’t care about basketball, and basketball because of my height I think I can make a living for myself through that.”

Umoffia already holds scholarship offers from Providence, St. Bonaventure, Iona and Ole Miss, and hopes to add more once he hits the Nike EYBL circuit this summer.

“He has a chance to be very good,” one college coach said.

UNION, N.J. — Mohamed Bamba will take his final official visit to Duke Feb. 28-March 1 for the Florida State game, but that hasn’t stopped Matt Coleman from continuing to try and recruit the uncommitted big man to Texas.

“Yeah, I’m staying [on him],” Coleman told ZAGSBLOG following Oak Hill’s 59-47 loss to St. Benedict’s Prep on Saturday night at the Metro Classic at Kean University. “He’s really low-key with his recruitment and stuff. I know he just set his visit up for Duke, but I’m feeling good about him hopefully coming to Texas.”

Texas coach Shaka Smart watched the 6-foot-11 big man from Westtown (PA) on Jan. 29 in the Lehigh Valley Showcase.

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