By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
YEATESVILLE — Mychal Parker came right off the bus, signed off autographs and then proceeded to put his signature on the game as he scored a game-high 33 points to lead The Miller School to a 106-71 victory over Stevens Prep Academy in the opening showcase game of the 30th annual Washington Daily News/PotashCorp Aurora Holiday Tournament.
Parker and the rest of his teammates finished exams at 2 p.m. on Friday then jumped on a bus and drove from Charlottesville, Va all the way to Yeatesville, arriving just 20 minutes before tipping-off against star recruit Chris Hill and the Golden Griffins (5-6).
Despite the rugged path to Northside High School Parker, the hometown hero and Maryland University recruit, failed to disappoint as he displayed his entire repertoire in front of his friends and family.
“It was exciting, I really loved being back here,” Parker said.
Parker said that the bus trip took its toll on him and promised that tonight when his team plays South Central (at 7 p.m.) he would put on a better show.
“It was terrible,” Parker said as laughingly as he signed autographs after the game. “The knees were a little stiff, but it’s going to be on tomorrow.”
Mavericks (4-1) coach Scott Willard said was proud of the way his team performed.
“We talk about no excuses a lot because there is a lot going on with these kids’ lives during the day with school work, dorm life and other commitments” Willard said. “We preach no excuses because at the end of the day all people look at is your record.”
Parker and Hill, a 6-8 wing player who is being recruited by several major colleges, both got off to a hot start. Hill had 22 points by halftime, but only finished with 24 as he drew his fourth foul on an attempted block of a Parker shot three minutes into the third quarter. Hill received his fifth foul moments after as he balked at the call and received a technical.
Parker sank three of is four free throws to give his team a 61-50 lead and it would never get any closer.
“This was a high lever prep basketball game and I thought the refs may have called it a little tight,” Stevens Prep coach Darryl Harris said. “This was a showcase game and we came to give the people a show, I just felt like the last call was a little suspect.”
While there was no doubt Parker and Hill put on a show, Parker’s teammate and Memphis recruit Hippolyte Tsafack would not be over-looked.
The 6-8 Tsafack teamed up with 6-7 Brice Kofain to form a dominating tandem in the paint on both ends of the court. Tsafack netted 21 points, while Kofain netted 17 for the Mavericks.
“We were missing a big man in David Simpson, and we really could have used him tonight,” Harris said. “I loved their (The Miller School’s) big men. They had great footwork and were great players.”
Aside from Hill’s 24 points, the Golden Griffins got solid production from Jamal Williams who had 16 points.
Officially, the tournament will begin today at 1 p.m. when Mattamuskeet takes on Terra Ceia.