Lance Stephenson scored a game-high 25 points to lead the New York Panthers to a 76-65 victory over the Playaz Sophomores in the title game of the 2009 Is8/Nike Spring High School Classic in Queens, N.Y.
“I just wanted to win, so I did whatever I do to win,” Stephenson told NYCHoops.net. “I’m happy we won and we played hard, that’s what we want.”
Arizona-bound wing
Kevin Parrom added 14 points and Hofstra commit
Chaz Williams scored eight.
“Anytime you win a championship it always feels good,” Panthers coach
Gary Charles said. “As a freshman, Lance had won a championship with
Danny Green. Now right before he takes off to go to college he wins another one with us so it’s a special feeling.
“I have a special place in my heart for
Omari Lawrence and
Kevin Parrom. When we got together we always said we wanted to win an is8 championship,” Charles said.
Myles Davis of St. Peter’s Prep paced the Playaz with 23 points, Paterson Catholic guard
Myles Mack added 15 and
Vaughn Gray tallied eight.
Davis and Stephenson were named Co-MVPs.
Next up for Stephenson is
his court date on Tuesday.
After that, he is expected to address his college situation, with Arizona and Memphis both involved.
“It was fun, I ain’t played with them in a long time, but I’m happy to win with them and just go have fun,” Stephenson told NYCHoops. “I’m going to miss [playing AAU] a lot, but I’m going off to college and trying to find a good team to play with and win just like I’m doing now.”
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS (Courtesy NYHoops.com)
Player of the Year – Jayvaughn Pinkston – New Heights Jrs.
Freshmen of the Year – Kyle Anderson – Playaz Sophomores
1st Team
Jaylen Bond – East Coast Elite
Lance Stephenson – Panthers
Brian Oliver – Playaz Srs.
Myles Mack – PLayaz Sophomores
Brandon Triche – NY Elite
2nd Team
George Beamon – Lightning Silverstein
Isiah Stokley – RISE
Myles Davis – Playaz Sophomores
Kevin Parrom – Panthers
Chaz Williams – Panthers
3rd Team
Jermaine Sanders – New Heights Sophomores
Ashton Pankey – New Heights Jrs.
Rakeem Brookins – R.A.I.D.E.R.S.
J.P. Kambola – NY Elite
Derrick Randall – Playaz Sophomores
