by Alex Schwartz

The ESPNU game between Montverde Academy (FL) and Sagemont School (FL) was a nice tune-up between two top-tier teams, but it was the second game on Friday at FAU that was the major attraction. When Winter Park (FL) and Pine Crest (FL) took the floor for the 7:00 game to be televised on ESPN2, there was a buzz in the arena and the stands were packed with fans, including many Pine Crest students.

Winter Park, ranked #10 in my most recent National High School Top 25, came away with a hard fought 87-76 victory, but that was not the main story on the night. Rather, it was the scoring display put forth by two of the best players in the nation.

Brandon Knight '10 of Pine Crest, who is the #1 player in Northstar Basketball's Class of 2010 Terrifc 125, had a game-high 48 points, good for 63.2% of his team's offensive output. Not to be overshadowed, Florida-soft commit Austin Rivers '11 poured in 41 points for Winter Park. The top five junior accounted for 47.1% of his squad's point total.

At the start of the game, it looked like Knight would out-dual Rivers, scoring 10 points in six minutes to Rivers' two. At the end of the first quarter, Winter Park was up 20-19, while Knight led Rivers in points 12-5.

The son of the Boston Celtics' head coach, Doc Rivers, began to assert himself in the second period. Behind the play of the star junior, WP led 41-33 at the half. Through 16 minutes, Knight had 24 and Rivers had 18. For the majority of the half Knight was guarding Rivers, but the reverse could not be said.

In the third quarter, Winter Park slowly but surely began to take control of the game. By the time the period ended, it was an 11-point game, 59-48, in favor of the Wildcats. With about two minutes left in the third, Rivers overtook Knight in the points total for the first time all game, 27-26, but it did not last long. Knight had the upper hand, 30-29, entering the final eight minutes of play.

Brandon Knight did everything he could to keep the Panthers in the game in the fourth quarter, but WP continued to extend its lead. Both stud guards had their highest point totals in a quarter in the decisive one at the end. Knight had 18 in the fourth, to finish with a whopping 48, while Rivers added 12 more to end the game with 41. When it was all over, the winner was Winter Park, 87-76.

According to reports, Knight's 48 points came on 14/36 (38.9%) shooting from the field and 15/15 shooting at the line, while Rivers was 14/24 (58.3%) from the field. Rivers was clearly more efficient, hitting the same number of shots, but taking 12 less and shooting 15% better from the floor. Knight, whose 100% clip at the line was extremely impressive, is forced to take more shots than Rivers though, as his supporting cast is not quite as good.

Rivers displayed a fantastic handle and a great step-back dribble. He also demonstrated an uncanny ability to get to the rim regardless of who was defending him. Using a quick first step, good body control, and some nice moves, Rivers continuously got to the cup and finished most of the time. His shot, both from the stripe and beyond the arc, were both inconsistent, but he hit some tough threes, including two in Knight's face.

Knight won the battle between the two, but not by much. The sturdy senior guard hit two or three extremely difficult jumpers and also connected on a number of threes. He did have some trouble finishing at the rim, partially due to the contact he received nearly every time he penetrated. The uncommitted guard also needs to be commended for guarding Rivers almost the entire game, and still getting it done on the offensive end.

While Rivers and Knight were the players that every one came to see, they were not the only standouts in the game. Florida Atlantic-commit Brett Comer '11 was solid for WP, showing that he can handle the rock and run the offense in addition to shoot. He did get into some major foul trouble though. John David Swanson '10 was extremely impressive too. The junior shooter had 20+ points and hit six threes, including three in a quick span in the fourth quarter that helped seal the game. Robert Lovaglio '10 and Farifield-bound Adam Jones '10 played well too.

For Pine Crest, Traveon Henry '12 was solid, including a big-time fastbreak dunk that got the crowd into a frenzy. Henry is undersized as a two and is not a good enough shooter from now, but he is talented, has a great frame, and is still young. Matt Milk '10 and RJ Marcinkevicious '13 were stellar in the post for the Panthers. Tevin Westbrook '10 did a good job down low too, getting to the line and rebounding the ball, in addition to scoring, though he did have some trouble finishing.

I had a chance to interview Austin Rivers after the game, and I will have an article about my talk with the outstanding class of 2011 prospect coming soon.

Note- photo is of Brandon Knight and is from http://www.maxpreps.com/national/national.htm