Life at the Kingdom: Games From Day 2 & 4 at Vanguard High's "Kingdom of the Sun"

The Kingdom of Sun Holiday Basketball Tournament was full of competitive games fighting to be number one. Held in Ocala, Florida for the 43rd time, here are some highlighted games from day two & day four on December 28 & 30, 2016.

Game of Redemption: P.K. Yonge Blue Wave vs. Forsyth Country Day Furies

The Forsyth Country Day Furies (11-6) from Lewisville, NC faced Gainesville’s P.K. Yonge Blue Wave (8-6) in the second round. Both teams came up short in the first round, earning them a spot in the consolation bracket.

Tripp Greene’s star play and the size of the post players led Furies to a 75-54 victory over the Blue Wave. Both teams adopted a strategy that consisted of shooting outside the arc.

Byron Smith came out aggressive, bringing the fire on both sides of the ball to spark his team and be the leader that Head Coach Billy Blackmon relies on. Smith displayed his shooting ability by making numerous threes.

“I put a lot of work on the shooting machine and some teams don’t think I can shoot,” said Smith.

A monstrous block to close the first half helped Smith steal the momentum from the Furies. Israel Wilcox Jr. made a spectacular move slashing to the hole and making a basket in the final seconds of the first half giving his team a spark.

On the other side of the ball, Greene seemed calmed as he orchestrated his team’s offense and got players involved.

“I let the game come to me instead of trying to force stuff,” said Greene. “Get open, I will find you.”

Greene was also aggressive with his shot, knocking down a couple of jump shots and getting to the free throw line displaying determination to fight off the Blue Wave.

During the second half, the Blue Wave put on a show and went on a run that was ignited by a highlight dunk by Smith that was created off a steal. The score late in the third quarter was 37-38.

Greene and his teammates listened to Furies Coach Howard West and blocked out the noise for the final quarter, pulling away with a big lead to win the game.

“I like that we were able to get some fast breaks,” West said.

“This is a growing experience and we are a young team and they learning how to play together,” said Blackmon.

The Blue Wave is taking this learning curve to get better and to fight on to win games.

Key Players: Forsyth Country Day Tripp Greene 16 points; Brandon Mayhan 17 points; Ivan Milicevic 18 points, 12 rebounds

P.K. Yonge Byron Smith 16 points, Jevon Boswell 12 points

To Close for Comfort: GA-Peachtree Ridge vs. FL-Florida Prep

Peachtree senior guard Connor Heyward’s highlight of the night gave his team an edge in the first half. His pull up for a monstrous dunk boosted to his team throughout the second in a close 55-52 victory against the Florida Prep Falcons.

The Falcons (8-3) did not back down from the challenges Peachtree Ridge (9-3) presented with their guards. Florida Prep guard A.J. Johnson kept his team in the game with his offensive set.

Johnson hit a numerous of shots in the first half alongside partner in crime, junior guard Dejuon Small.

“I do everything, everybody says he’s one dimensional but I can get the rack if I need to and I can shoot the three, I try to help out whenever my teams needed,” said Peachtree junior guard Devon Vassell.

Heyward was inspired by Vassel, who made a large contribution with his scoring.

“They were big boys and we didn’t want to switch anything up to recreate the wheel, but coach emphasized rebounding and playing together,” said Heyward.

The focus was to rebound despite the size difference. The first half was knotted up at 24-24.

Late in the fourth quarter, Johnson showed why he is considered a star player for the Falcons. Down by four, the junior hit a huge three to bring his team within one.

Although, Peachtree was able to hold on and get the close victory.

“Coming in tournaments like this helps us get to the place we want to be at come February and March,” said Lions coach Keith Arrington.

Key Players: Peachtree Ridge Devon Vassell 16 points, Caleb Holifield 14 points

Florida Prep: AJ Johnson 17 points, Mbacke Diong 10 points

Day 4

FL-Ocala Vanguard High vs. GA-Suwanee Peachtree Ridge

Vanguard Knights (9-2) super freshman Leonard Manuel and senior guard Quez Clayton rose to the challenge to seize a 74-68 victory over Peachtree Ridge (9-5) on the final act.

Both teams came in this game plagued with injuries as Peachtree Ridge lacked junior guard Fred Payton and Vanguard was missing senior guard Phil Ortiz.

“Without Ortiz in the lineup, we have asked Leonard and Quez to do more for us and lead us more,” said Vanguard coach Phillip Small. “Quez had to be aggressive.”

This allowed junior guard Jalen Scott to step in and fill the role. Scott did not disappoint, helping the Knights put on an offensive show with two three-pointers in the first half and numerous free throws.

In the second quarter, it became clear who the star players were for both teams. The marquee matchup was Clayton and Manuel versus Peachtree’s Kris Collins and Connor Heyward.

The Lions were down to start the quarter. Collins stepped up to the task of controlling the offense. With Heyward’s defensive integrity and patience offensively, Peachtree tied the game at 26 with three minutes left in the half.

“I always push my team to be great and to get the win,” said Clayton. The Knights took the lead going into the half, 37 -33.

The second half saw Peachtree Ridge beginning to turn on the gas on offense through junior guard Caleb Holifield. He scored plenty of buckets, including a couple of threes to take a small lead in the second half.

Vanguard’s Shaz Molu came off the bench for Lions and gave the team a spark, scoring eight points. Manuel and Clayton leaned on their senior guard Tae Bynes to step up and deliver big plays that created momentum in the their favor.

“I stay humble, but also I try to show everybody that just because you’re a freshman, it doesn’t mean you can’t play with the big boys,” said Manuel.

Manuel held his ground as he matched up with Heyward. Even with excellent defense Manuel scored and did everything he could to get the win.

Down by six in the late second half, Bynes delivers three long range bombs to secure and give his team an edge to win the game.

“My coaches believe in me, my team believes me,” Bynes said. “So when I get a chance to shoot it, I’m going to shoot it.”

Coach Small made it clear that he wants Bynes to let the shots fly, more.

Heyward and Holifield came in clutch to tie the game. But a foul followed by a double technical against Heyward gave Vanguard six free throws with just a few seconds left in the game.

But, the heart Heyward displayed throughout the tournament did not go unnoticed.

“I thought he was one of the best guards here all week,” Coach Small said. “He fought his butt off.”

The win placed Vanguard third in the Kingdom Of The Sun Tournament.

Key Players: Vanguard Quez Clayton 23 points; Tae Bynes 15 points; Jalen Scott 14 points; Leonard Manuel 12 points

Peachtree Ridge Kris Collins 21 points; Caleb Holifield 21 points; Shaz Molu 8 points; Connor Heyward 6 points

Next Game Peachtree Ridge at Discovery (Lawrenceville, GA) Thursday, 1/5/17 Vanguard Knights vs. Lake Weir (Ocala, FL) Thursday, 1/5/17

Championship Game: WI-Madison Memorial vs. OH-Cincinnati LaSalle

The leadership of senior guard Logan Knecht and senior forwards Jake Ferguson & Chris Knight allow the Madison Memorial Spartans (8-2) to squeak by with a 43-38 victory over the LaSalle Lancers (6-1) in the title game of the Kingdom Tourney. The road was not easy for the Spartans, but they came together and won the championship.

The low scoring game started off with the Lancers jumping out to a lead led by senior guard C.J. Fleming. Scoring and forcing turnovers was a part of why they had been so successful in this tournament.

These two teams are similar in how they conduct their offense by passing with accuracy, scoring, and running the clock.

Fleming has been bright all tournament, but tonight, his stardom got brighter. With the help of his sharp shooting senior guard Tre Crigler and senior forward Joe Hartman, he made big plays to give the Lancers a 10-point advantage going into the half, 23-13.

Spartans head coach Steve Collins gave a wake-up speech at the half and decided to change up the strategy by relying on the length of the team. Senior forward Robert Bennett gave the Spartans an edge on defense providing length and speed.

This strategy worked in their favor until C.J. Fleming went crashing into the padded wall, injuring his shoulder early in the third quarter.

Knecht and Smith took advantage of the absence of LaSalle’s star player.

Smith and Bennett delivered monstrous dunks off steals to give the Spartans some hope.

LaSalle’s guards Crigler, alongside senior Tyler Richardson and junior Riley Haubner, made great plays but fell short with the absence of Fleming.

“This was really us growing up as a team and being able to come out, be down, comeback and win” said Knecht.

Adversity did not startle the Spartans who picked themselves up to win in this low scoring dog fight.

After the victory, Chris Knight was named this year’s MVP for the Sun Tournament.

“There so many great players in this tournament and to be called the most valuable player means a lot,” said Knight.

Next Game: Spartans resumes conference play, Madison Memorial at. Sun Prairie (Sun Prairie, WI) Today, 1/4/17 LaSalle Lancers at. Roger Bacon (Cincinnati, OH) Saturday, 1/7/17