By: Ben Larsen, Content Coordinator | Coaches Aid MassachusettsAfter recording 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists in No. 3 Findlay Prep’s thrilling victory over top-ranked St. Patrick Sunday, Pilots’ point guard Cory Joseph earned the event’s Most Outstanding Player Award.
Joseph was also selected to the Hoophall Classic All-Tournament 1st Team. Joining him are St. Patrick Kyrie Irving, Half Hollow Hills West’s Tobias Harris, St. Benedict’s guard Myck Kabongo and Austin Rivers of Winter Park High School.
Irving was the top vote-getter after a spectacular 30-point performance in St. Patrick loss to Findlay Prep. Harris wasn’t far behind after exploding for 35 points and 16 rebounds in his team’s Saturday win. Kabongo recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 assists to go along with six rebounds while Rivers excited the crowd and scored 21 points in Winter Park’s win over Gonzaga College High School with a pair of impressive dunks.
J.D. Weatherspoon of Columbus Northland and Kinston’s Reggie Bullock were the top vote-getters for the All-Tournament 2nd Team. They were joined by St. Patrick’s Michael Gilchrist, Mater Dei’s Tyler Lamb and Tavon Sledge of Half Hollow Hills West.
“This tournament really showed the strength of the point guard position and perimeter players,” said Paul Biancardi, National Director of Recruiting High School-College Basketball for ESPNU. “The event was filled with high-profile teams and players.
“To pick a First Team is a tough thing to do with many future McDonald’s All-Americans at the Hoophall Classic.”
In the first ever voting for local All-Tournament Team and Most Outstanding Player, Sabis International Charter School of Springfield was well-represented. The Bulldogs put two players on the All-Tournament Local Team with Kamali Bey and Andre King earning spots. King was named the Most Outstanding Local Player for his efforts in Sabis’ two Hoophall Classic games.
Joining Bey and King on the All-Tournament Local Team are: East Longmeadow’s Dan Martin, Tantasqua’s Jake Gubitose and Jordan Smith of Springfield Central.
Smith’s classmate at Springfield Central Bri Malone was named the Girls Most Outstanding Player for her performance in the Golden Eagles’ win over Minnechaug Regional Friday.
All-Tournament 1st Team:
Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick
Tobias Harris, Half Hollow Hills West
Myck Kabongo, St. Benedict’s Prep
Cory Joseph, Findlay Prep
Austin Rivers, Winter Park High School
All-Tournament 2nd Team:J.D. Weatherspoon, Columbus Northland
Reggie Bullock, Kinston
Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick
Tyler Lamb, Mater Dei
Tavon Sledge, Half Hollow Hills West
All-Tournament Local Team:Kamali Bey, Sabis
Andre King, Sabis
Dan Martin, East Longmeadow
Jake Gubitose, Tantasqua
Jordan Smith, Springfield Central
Most Outstanding Player, National: Cory Joseph, Findlay Prep
Most Outstanding Player, Local: Andre King, Sabis
Most Outstanding Player, Girls: Bri Malone, Springfield Central
