 | Norcross's Gani Lawal was able to stand out amongst his peers Wednesday night by scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Andy Lyons/Getty Images |
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By Ryan Canner-O'Mealy, Special to SI.com, RISE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Here's a look at how the best players fared on the national stage:
East
Jonny Flynn, Niagara Falls (N.Y.)
Flynn had a near-perfect night. The Syracuse-bound guard slammed home a ridiculous one-handed dunk, took the game's only charge, scored nine points and tied a game high with six assists. GRADE: A
J.J. Hickson, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
Hickson was a monster, throwing down powerful dunks all night and finishing shooting 7-for-9 from the field. He tallied 14 points and six rebounds, including five on the offensive end. GRADE: A-
Gani Lawal, Norcross (Ga.)
Lawal was presented with the Naismith Award for sportsmanship at halftime, but he showed he's got plenty of game to go along with that. The Georgia Tech signee had one of the game's two double-doubles with 12 points and 12 boards. GRADE: A-
Nick Calathes, Lake Howell (Winter Park, Fla.)
The normally sharpshooting Calathes had an off night from the floor, hitting only 5-of-14 shots and missing on all four of his 3-point attempts, but he contributed in other ways with 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. GRADE: B+
Austin Freeman, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Freeman wasn't spectacular, but he was very good, scoring nine points and adding four rebounds. He did miss a 3-pointer in the final minute of the game that would have given the East a 115-114 lead, but that shouldn't diminish a strong game. GRADE: B+
Patrick Patterson, Huntington (W.Va.)
Patterson was a beast down low. He got plenty of love from the Kentucky fans in attendance who hope he signs with the Wildcats and he justified their affection. Patterson shot 4-for-5 from the field for eight points to go along with five boards and three blocks. GRADE: B+
Corey Stokes, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.)
Stokes didn't shooting it much -- only three attempts -- but when he did, he made them count. The Villanova-bound guard hit on all three of his shots, including both 3-pointers, and finished with eight points in only 13 minutes. GRADE: B+
Donte Greene, Towson Catholic (Towson, Md.)
Greene showed his range by drilling a 3-pointer and his athleticism by finishing a nice alley oop from future Syracuse teammate Jonny Flynn. With 10 points, it was a solid performance from Greene. GRADE: B
Kosta Koufos, GlenOak (Canton, Ohio)
Koufos didn't play much -- only 11 minutes -- but in his time he showed the versatility that has made him a top player. He drilled his only 3-point attempt and finished with nine points. GRADE: B- Nolan Smith Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) Smith, who has signed with Duke, had one really nice dunk and wasn't able to get much else going. He shot 3-for-8 from the floor and had only one assist. GRADE: B-
Chris Wright, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Wright was the game's lone player who didn't score and was never able to get into any kind of rhythm. He did contribute four assists though and helped the East get back in the game late in the second half. GRADE: B-
O.J. Mayo, Huntington (W.Va.)
Little went right for Mayo, the nation's top senior recruit, on this night. He forced some shots and only hit 4-of-17, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range. He missed a potential game-winner in the final seconds and heard some boos from the crowd, which thought he was shooting too much. GRADE: C
