2017KDFBC
45th Annual Kentucky Derby Festival Basketball Classic
Presented by Papa John’s
Freedom Hall
Louisville, KY
April 15, 2017
© 2017 by Ron Harrison and Rick Bolus
Thunder (Black Uniform) Team
|
Malik Williams |
6-11 |
C |
R. Nelson Snider |
IN |
|
Darius Perry |
6-2 |
PG |
Wheeler |
GA |
|
Lance Thomas |
6-9 |
PF |
Norcross |
GA |
|
Lindell Wigginton |
6-2 |
SG |
Oak Hill Academy |
VA |
|
Jordan Nwora |
6-8 |
SG |
Vermont Academy |
NY |
|
Savion Flagg |
6-7 |
SF |
Alvin High School |
TX |
|
Devontae Shuler |
6-3 |
SG |
Oak Hill Academy |
VA |
|
Davion Mitchell |
6-1 |
PG |
Liberty County |
GA |
|
Chuma Okeke |
6-7 |
PF |
Westlake |
GA |
|
Taveion Hollingsworth |
6-2 |
PG |
Paul Laurence Dunbar |
KY |
|
Jordan Poole |
6-5 |
SG |
La Lumiere |
IN |
Lightning (White Uniform) Team
|
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
6-5 |
PG |
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy |
TN |
|
DJ Harvey |
6-6 |
SF |
DeMatha Catholic |
MD |
|
Justin Smith |
6-7 |
SF |
Adlai E. Stevenson |
IL |
|
AJ Durham |
6-4 |
PG |
Berkmar |
GA |
|
Naji Marshall |
6-7 |
SF |
Hargrave Military Academy |
VA |
|
Kris Wilkes |
6-8 |
SF |
North Central |
IN |
|
Ty-Shon Alexander |
6-4 |
SG |
Oak Hill Academy |
VA |
|
Paul Scruggs |
6-4 |
PG |
Prolific Prep |
CA |
|
Abu Kigab |
6-7 |
SF |
Prolific Prep |
CA |
|
Jacob Epperson |
6-11 |
C |
La Lumiere |
IN |
|
Mark Smith |
6-5 |
PG |
Edwardsville |
IL |
Team Thunder started the following lineup: 6-9 Lance Thomas, 6-8 Jordan Nwora, 6-11 Malik Williams, 6-2 Darius Perry, and 6-2 Lindell Wigginton. Team Lightning countered with 6-7 Justin Smith, 6-6 DJ Harvey, 6-11 Jacob Epperson, 6-5 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and 6-4 AJ Durham.
Team Lightning defeated Team Thunder by a score of 122-109. Team Lightning shot 49.1% from the field including seven of 25 from the three point line. They connected on nine of 18 free throws and pulled down 61 rebounds. Team Thunder shot 44.4% from the field including 11 of 33 from beyond the arc. They connected on 10 of 12 free throws and pulled down 51 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was named MVP for Team Lightning and led his team with 29 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. 6-7 Abu Kigab added 18 points and seven rebounds. 6-7 Naji Marshall also recorded 18 points and seven rebounds. 6-4 Paul Scruggs chipped in with 16 points. Justin Smith scored 15 points and AJ Durham recorded 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Jacob Epperson pulled down nine rebounds.
Darius Perry led Team Thunder with 22 points including four three point baskets. 6-2 Taveion Hollingsworth was named MVP for Team Thunder with 18 points and seven rebounds. 6-7 Chuma Okeke recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds. 6-1 Davion Mitchell chipped in with 16 points and six rebounds. Lindell Wigginton also reached double figures with 13 points.
Team Thunder (109) – Thomas 5, Nwora 7, Williams 3, Perry 22, Wigginton 13, Flagg 2, Hollingsworth 18, Mitchell 16, Okeke 18, Poole 5.
Team Lightning (122) – Smith 15, Harvey 3, Epperson 4, Gilgeous-Alexander 29, Durham 10, Alexander 2, Kigab 18, Marshall 18, Scruggs 16, Smith 7.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the three point shooting contest and Savion Flagg captured the slam dunk championship.
The following observations were made by Rick Bolus who viewed the event and made the following comments.
Saturday I attended the Derby Classic held at legendary Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. The Lightning Team defeated the Thunder Team by a score of 122 to 109. The MVP for the winning team was 6-5 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Chattanooga Hamilton Heights (TN) while 6-2 Taveion Hollingsworth of Lexington Dunbar (KY) was the MVP for the losing team. Below were my observations:
TOP 6 (BASED ON COLLEGE POTENTIAL)
OTHER AWARD WINNERS ON MY END:
BEST DUNKER: SAVION FLAGG 6-7/WF ALVIN, TX (TEXAS A&M)
BEST REBOUNDER: JACOB EPPERSON 6-11/C LAPORTE LALUMIERE, IN (CREIGHTON)
BEST UPSIDE: LANCE THOMAS 6-9/PF NORCROSS, GA (LOUISVILLE)
MOST VERSATILE: PAUL SCRUGGS 6-4/CG NAPA PROLIFIC PREP, CA (XAVIE
Congratulations on the organizers of this long running event for another excellent game with as usual a lot of talent.