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Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic Day 2 Standouts (Dec. 30)

12/31/2016, 9:30am EST
By Jeff Griffith & Varun Kumar

Jeff Griffith (@Jeff_Griffith21)
&
Varun Kumar (@VRKumar8)
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The Pete & Jameer Nelson Classic continued into its second and final day on Friday, with six more games featuring a dozen regional programs.

Here are our picks for standouts from the action at Widener University:

Jhamir Brickus (2020/Coatesville)
The outstanding freshman who has drawn comparisons from his head coach Chuck Moore to younger brother Ronald Moore – an overseas professional – put up 14 points and five boards in his team’s close loss to St. Thomas More (Del.). Brickus, a 5-foot-10 guard, dropped in a couple of three-pointers, made some impressive drives to the basket and earned the rest of his points with . The freshman was a major instigator on defense, forcing the Ravens’ guards into multiple key mistakes, as he created four of his 14 points off of his own steals. Brickus was named Coatesville’s MVP following the game.


Episcopal senior Conner Delaney (above) has stepped up his game for the Churchmen this season. (Photo: Josh Verlin/CoBL)

Connor Delaney (2017/Episcopal Academy)
Delaney was lights out for the second straight day with his ability to score the ball. The senior floor general for the Churchmen totalled 20 points, which was almost half his team’s total in a loss, to Martin Luther King on Friday night. He once again scored on all three levels, hitting a couple of three pointers, as well as shooting six free throws that he drew by using dribble penetration. He also looked really comfortable as a distributor and was notably the assister in a Jack O’Connell three that got Episcopal back in the game late.

Mark Flagg (2017/Pennsbury)
Despite playing in what seemed like a game at Chester High, Flagg appeared unfazed by the generally hostile crowd and calmly collected 20 points against Chester. Flagg had an inside and out game, including notching several catch-and-shoot threes from all around the perimeter. In addition, he was effective as a distributor in the high post at times, drawing defenses in as a decoy, before kicking out to an open teammate.

Quade Green (2017/Neumann-Goretti)
It would probably have come as a big shock of Green didn’t make this list. The Kentucky signee, who made his return to the court after missing the last three with an ankle injury, played up to his usual standards, totalling 23 points, and had some of those plays that just wowed everyone in attendance, such as a tough teardrop as he was falling to his right. Green also got his teammates involved in the scoring column as he connected with longtime teammate Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree a few times. What won’t show up on the stat-sheet though, was Green’s senior leadership, particularly on the defensive end. He set the tone for his team defensively and extolled his teammates to bring the same energy and intensity to that side of the floor.


Elijah Kiah-El (above) was too much for a Nick Alikakos-less EA squad to handle on Friday. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL)

Elijah Kiah-El (2017/Martin Luther King)
Kiah-El only scored ten points in MLK’s win over Episcopal, but the senior forward was rugged in his play on the defensive end. He was able to use his strength and physicality to maintain position against an undersized and undermanned Episcopal team, while also using his length to get his hands on a few passes. The George Washington transfer was equally strong on the boards, snatching eight rebounds, and had a few big ones late, as Episcopal was looking to tie or cut the MLK lead.

Darius Kinnel (2018/St. Joe's Prep)
For the second game in a row, Kinnel made major contributions in the Hawks' win over St. George's (Del.), en route to a dominant win. The point guard – who had played the role of floor general in their previous day's victory with 17 points and nine assists – won MVP honors Friday for his 17 points and six assists. The 5-foot-11 junior proved the importance of his play for The Prep with the way he facilitated from the point, running a sound offense and finding his own scoring opportunities at the right times.

Jordan Money (2017/St. Elizabeth, Del.)
Finishing with a game-high 21 points, Money was one of the lone highlights for a St. Elizabeth team that lost 80-56 at the hands of La Salle. Money showed off his outstanding athleticism and abilities to handle the ball despite being guarded by long La Salle forward Konrad Kiszka. He dropped in a few triples, dazzled defenders with smooth handles and displayed strength and toughness as he continued to drive to the basket through contact. The senior also showed off a consistent mid-range jumper as a byproduct of his ability to create his own shot.

Eric Montanez (2017/St. Thomas More, Del.)
Montanez did it all for the Ravens in their win over Coatesville, including a key dunk in transition that gave his team the lead with 4:55 to play. The senior finished with 11 points to lead his team and was named their MVP after also tallying five boards and two blocks. Montanez scored in a variety of ways, including finishes around the rim, mid-range jumpers and layups off the dribble. He also made multiple key passes, including one assist to big man Elias Revelle that allowed the Ravens to open up a four-point lead late and force a timeout.

Sean Simon (2018/La Salle)
After hitting a clutch shot the night before to force overtime against Carlisle, the junior was lights out from beyond the arc, making all five of his three-point attempts. Simon could not miss, and played a large role in helping the Explorers open up a 20-point lead in the first half which would hold the rest of the way. His hot shooting, which earned him MVP honors, was contagious, as seven Explorers ended up combining 12 three-pointers. Simon finished with a team-high 20 points, matched only by Money’s 21 for St. Elizabeth, in the dominant La Salle victory.

Kyle Thompson (2018/St. Joe’s Prep)
For the second straight day, Thompson led the Hawks in scoring with 21 points in his team’s 67-49 win over St. George's (Del.). The junior had a couple of big threes – including two in a 90-second span to balloon the SJP lead to 53-36 in the fourth quarter – but also scored several of his points with a potent mid-range jumper. Thompson also finished with four rebounds to follow his 15-point, 10-rebound performance in the Hawks’ previous win over Bishop Shanahan.


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Tag(s): Home  Old HS  Jeff Griffith  La Salle College HS  Neumann-Goretti  St. Joe's Prep  Ches-Mont National (B)  Coatesville  Inter-Ac (B)  Episcopal Ac.  Public League A (B)  Martin Luther King  Pennsbury