VT Recruits Meet On The Hard Court

Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, VA) dropped a 106-104 decision to St. John’s Northwestern (Delafield, WI) in December in the Best Western Shootout.  The two talented teams — each roster contains major D1 recruits, including future Hokies Donte Clark (Guard, Hargrave) and Trevor Thompson (Center, St. John’s) — squared off once again on Wednesday night, but this time it was the Tigers that came out on top, 90-86.

St. John’s showed very well for the first part of the first half, taking a 29-22 lead before Hargrave unleashed a 32-13 barrage to capture a 54-42 advantage at halftime.  The Tigers played much of the first half without Clark, who sat for about 15 minutes with two personal fouls.  A.W. Hamilton’s team also played without Louisville-bound guard Terry Rozier, who was sidelined due to academics.

The Lancers came out inspired in the second half, posting 14 straight points before Clark answered with a driving lay-up.  He was also fouled, and the 3-point play gave Hargrave a 1-point lead.  The rest of the game was nip and tuck, with no team gaining a firm grasp.

Down one in the closing minutes, Kansas State-bound point guard Jevon Thomas stole the ball from Clark and sprinted down the court for a big-time dunk, giving his team a 1-point lead.  Hargrave answered with two 3s, the second from Louisville-bound guard Anton Gill, who nailed a straight-on trey with three seconds on the shot clock and 34 seconds left in the game.  Gill’s triple gave Hargrave an 88-83 lead, and the Tigers held on for the 4-point win.

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