Two of the biggest names in New York hoops circles faced off on Saturday at iS8 when Lance Stephenson’s Juice All-Stars met Tobias Harris and the Unique All-Stars.
Despite showing up with five minutes remaining in the first quarter, Stephenson hit the game-winning basket and finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds in a 66-64 Juice victory. Harris, coming off an unofficial visit to Rutgers for Thursday’s football with North Carolina, struggled to score but ended with 18 points and 13 boards.
The Unique All-Stars easily could have won the game. They led 14 -13 at the end of the first quarter, 30-28 at the break and 54-44 at the end of three. It was a tie score with 10 seconds remaining when Juice called a timeout.
Everyone in the gym knew who was going to take the shot, and out of the timeout, the 6-foot-5 Stephenson drove to the hoop and scored.
He finished with 28 points on 11-for-17 shooting. He was 0-for-1 from 3 and 6-for-11 from the line. Born Ready, who appears to be waiting until the spring before picking a college, added 10 rebounds, 1 block, 2 assist, 2 steals and 2 turnovers.
Harris struggled after scoring two early field goals. Once Lance showed up, he guarded the bigger Harris. He tallied 18 points, 1 assist, 4 blocks and 7 turnovers.
(Tom Konchalski provided valuable stats for this account)
