Archbishop Stepinac, Prolific Prep win Chick-fil-A Classic championships
The Irmo basketball team was trying to make history Thursday night at the Chick-fil-A Classic.
But Archbishop Stepinac (NY) had other ideas as it defeated the Yellow Jackets, 79-56, to win the American Bracket championship at River Bluff High School. It was the first championship for the Crusaders and they are the second team from New York to win a title, joining Our Savior New American which won it 2014.
“We had fun down here. We handled business,” Archbishop coach Patrick Massaroni said. “We got a special group of guys. We got a deep team. Everyone competed down here.
“This tournament has such a rich history. And coming off COVID, we didn’t get to travel last year. I called Gary Gulmer (Christmas eve) and said `Are we still playing?’ He said we were. Just a first-class event.”
Freshman Danny Carbuccia led the Crusaders with 15 points and became the first freshman in the 19-year history of the event to win MVP honors. Isaiah Alexander added 14 points and all-tournament selection Samuel Gibbs had 12.
Archbishop shot 51 percent in the second half and outscored Irmo, 21-8, in the third quarter to put the game away.
Irmo was trying to become the first South Carolina team to win multiple Classic championships. The Yellow Jackets won the Classic II title in 2010, their last appearance in the event.
Irmo advanced to the title game with wins over in-state teams Keenan and Lexington but faced a much tougher challenge in the Crusaders, who compete in the Catholic High School Athletic Association.
The Yellow Jackets played without one of the top players in Devin Binyard, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury suffered on Wednesday against Lexington.’
“Losing Devin Binyard is a huge impact on our team. We don’t have a huge bench to begin with and will have a hard time making up for that,” Irmo coach Tim Whipple said. “We have to get tougher and a lot smarter.
“But anytime you play in tournaments like this and are able to compete and put yourself in a championship, it is a major plus. Now, what we do with it from here on out, is up to these young men.”
Irmo has one non-region game left before starting region play next week against Richland Northeast.
Juice Kiett led the Yellow Jackets with 18 points and Brandon Crawford had 12. Dylan Williams had 11 and was named the American Bracket Most Outstanding Player. Williams also won the 3-point contest on Tuesday.
Prolific Prep wins National Bracket
Prolific Prep won its first National Bracket championship in record-setting fashion with a 71-44 win over Dream City Christian. The 27-point win is the largest in a CFA championship, breaking the mark of Oak Hill’s 21-point win in 2011.
Prolific held Dream City to seven percent shooting in the first half in leading 39-7. It was the Crew’s second win over Dream City this year. Prolific defeated the Eagles 53-50 on Dec. 5.
“I think we were ready to go and really proud how we competed defensively especially in the first half,” Prolific coach Billy McKnight said. “Holding a team to seven points is almost unheard of. We love being out here. It is such a great tournament.”
Prolific Prep’s MJ Rice was named National Bracket MVP. The Kansas signee scored 15 points. Mor Seck came off the bench to lead the Crew with 16 points. UCLA signee Adem Bona added 13 and also was an all-tournament selection.
All-Tournament Teams
National Bracket
GG Jackson, Ridge View; Daquan Davis, St. Frances Academy, Takai Simpkins, Liberty Heights, Milos Uzan Dream City Christian, Adem Bona, Prolific Prep
Most Outstanding Player: Baye Fall Denver Prep
Tournament MVP: MJ Rice, Prolific Prep
American Bracket
Cade Tyson, Carmel Christian; Dennis Parker, John Marshall; Cam Scott, Lexington; Tyrese Elliott, Grayson; Samuel Gibbs, Archbishop Stepinac
Tournament MVP: Danny Carbuccia, Archbishop Stepinac
Most Outstanding Player: Dylan Williams, Irmo
Chick-fil-A Classic Results
American Bracket
Keenan (SC) 47, River Bluff (SC) 45
K: Semajeh Echols 15, King 9, Chrissean Oree 15, Williams 4, Gipson. RB: Myers 5, Rodriguez 4, Preston Hearn 11, Caldwell 8, Whitt 4.
Consolation Championship
John Marshall (Va.) 72, Carmel Christian (NC) 68
CC: Krwaczyk 9, Kaleb Siler 13, Cade Tyson 22, Logan Threatt 17, Howard 7. JM: Quaye 4, Cordes 1, Damon Thompson 28, Dennis Parker 18, Steven Stinson 10, Bailey 8, Robertson 3.
Third Place
Grayson (Ga.) 54, Lexington (SC) 53
G: Ogelsby 6, Taylor 6, Tyrese Elliott 10, Caleb Blackwell 17, Gatlin 7, Christian 4, Fox 4. L: Maxwell 3, Figueroa 9, Washington 6, Coulter Bell 11, Cam Scott 24.
Championship
Archbishop Stepinac (NY) 79, Irmo (SC) 56
AS: Hogarth 7, Isaiah Alexander 14, Danny Carbuccia 15, Samuel Gibbs 12, Joel Baez 11, Little 2, Eisley 5, Gary 2, Braylan Ritvo 11. I: Brandon Crawford 12, Dylan Williams 11, Green 8, Juice Kiett 18, Summons 5, Collins 2.
National Bracket
Legacy Early College (SC) 56, Ridge View (SC) 49
LEC: Coen Carr 18, Zaylan Chaney 17, Hodges 2, Khalil Arnold 14, Sutton 4, Hawkins 1. RV: GG Jackson 28, Moultrie 8, Owens 5, Powers 6, Squirewell 2.
Consolation Championship
St. Frances Academy (Md.) 74, Huntington Prep (WV) 49
SFA: Johnson 3, Bryce Lindsay 20, Daquan Davis 16, Jahnathan Lamothe 12, Carlton Carrington 14, Scott 2, Robinson 6, Jackson 1. HP: Finkley 2, Ronald Jessamy 13, Dok Mourador 12, Trentyn Flowers 18, Ntambwe 4.
Third Place
Liberty Heights (NC) 90, Denver Prep (Colo.) 70
LH: Hedgepath 9, Stinson 11, Taj. Simpkins 9, Takai Simpkins 35, Wilkerson 6, Nelson 9, Dow 8, Torres 3. DP: Baye Fall 29, Assane Diop 13, Lewis 4, Daniels 5, Juanse Gorosito 17, Mitchell 2.
Championship
Prolific Prep (Calif.) 71, Dream City (Ariz.) 44
DC: Tubek 4, Green 4, Pickens 5, Milos Uzan 22, Quaintance 9. PP: Dabo 5, Adem Bona 13, MJ Rice 15, Pope 3, Tre White 11, Pate 4, Mor Seck 16, Sensley 4.
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 10:44 PM.
