White Team Shoots its Way to Victory in the Greater NC Pro-Am High School Showcase

By Mark Carroll - Blog Coordinator

There was a great amount of anticipation surrounding the Greater NC Pro-Am Tournament Championship, but fans were in for a treat even sooner than expected when much of the young local talent gathered to participate in the High School Showcase.

Knightdale's Jalen Jones got things going early, leading the Black team to a 6-0 lead in the opening minutes, but his high school teammate and fellow class of 2013 prospect Deshawn Griffin hit a field goal to begin the scoring for the White team.

Word of God's Josh McNeal demonstrated his wide range of skills, finding success down low and later stepping out to hit a three pointer. McNeal turned in a solid seven point effort in the first half for the Black team.

While Jones and McNeal found first half success on the offensive end, Mount Zion's Sean Nottingham played excellent basketball on both ends of the floor for the White team. His ten points led all scorers at the break, and played a big part in gaining a 33-20 advantage at the half for the White team.

Ravenscroft guard and class of 2012 prospect Madison Jones heated up in the second half, fueling a 10-0 run for the Black team that cut the deficit to just four points.

Durham Hillside's Torian Graham had answers for the quick run and was not about to let the game slip away from the White team. Graham's second half baskets were crucial in helping his team regain a comfortable lead and hold on for the win. Jalen Jones made things interesting in the final minutes, hitting a free throw to convert a three point play, but Graham was successful in completing an old-fashioned three point play of his own with just under 30 seconds left on the clock. Graham received Most Valuable Player honors as the White team escaped with the win, 60-53.