The City Wins 12U CrownBoz Bernstein scored 12 points and Wolfgang Novogratz added 8 markers as The City defeated FA.C.E.S. 44-40 to win the MLK Classic 12 and Under Championship. Mike Joloasa finished with 14 points for the Newark Team in the loss.
Top Performers
Boz Bernstein Guard (The City)- The lefty caught fire from the perimeter at the right time. This was a grind out game and Bernstein nailing 3 treys gave his group breathing room in the battle. Boz has enough dribbling ability to create space and get off high arching shots. His accuracy proved to be precise and as the game wore on he got better.
Wolfgang Novogratz Guard (The City)- Wolfgang is tough as nails and he proved that in this contest. His willingness to penetrate the lane and make plays helped his team get over the top. Wolfie is scrappy and goes hard on both ends of the floor. He can handle and shoot while even playing through a leg injury. He reminds of Craig Ehlo that played for the Cavaliers.
Josh Wallace Forward (The City)- Once again Wallace did the dirty work inside to keep his team flowing. His wide body allows him to get rebounds and draw fouls. Wallace then uses his guard instincts including touch helps him score from anywhere on the floor.
Mike Williams Guard (The City)- Williams seemed to be a little injured but his game at the guard spot caught my attention. He has good penetration skills and was able to make things happen in traffic. I look forward to watching him rock again soon maybe at the Clash For The Cup.
Mike Joloaso Guard (F.A.C.E.S.)- Mike is from Philly and his toughness showed big time in this one. Down the stretch F.A.C.E.S. needed plays to be made a Joloaso stepped up. He drained a couple of treys and made some tough finishes at the basket. When money time came he wanted the rock and did everything he could to help them pull through.
Omari Dell-Pettiford Forward (F.A.C.E.S.)-Omari gave his team a boast of the pine. He came into the game and made some plays on both ends of the court. He has a nose for the ball and got involved early. Dell-Pettiford made a couple of buckets but more importantly knew his role and played it good.
Brian Brown Forward (F.A.C.E.S.)- I have to give him the nickname “Little Warrior” because he goes hard and makes things happen around the basket. In terms of rebounding he’s a little undersized but just out works his opponents. Right now he reminds me of Davontay Grace that played for Team Next a few years back. Grace has now made the transition to a good guard hopefully that’s also in Brown’s future.
Austin Goodluck Forward (F.A.C.E.S.)- Goodluck’s play in the semifinals helped his team reach the chip. He was very active around the basket in terms of scoring rebounding and even threw a Kevin Love type outlet pass perfectly to a racing teammate.
Trey Lowe Guard (F.A.C.E.S.)- Lowe carried much of the scoring load for F.A.C.E.S. during the tourney. In the semifinal game against his former squad Team MVP Lowe started a little anxious which is expected but after getting a talk from his coach he did his usual damage. He loves running the floor for easy buckets and knocking down deep 3’s.
Tymere Berry Guard (Mid Jersey Heat)- The Heat played F.A.C.E.S. tough in the quarterfinals and Berry was the catalyst. He’s difficult to guard because his array of moves and shooting ability. Just when you thought F.A.C.E.S. was pulling Berry would make a play to draw them closer.
James Wright Guard (Team MVP)- Team MVP made it to the final four and Wright was one of the main reasons. The scoring guard is very fluid going to the basket, throwing his body into shot blockers and finishing. On the baseline he’s tough to stop because he has the reverse lay up move in his arsenal.
