Crusader Rally Falls Short, 57-50

HILLSBORO – It was almost the biggest upset in the 16-year history of the Les Schwab Invitational as Jesuit (8-1) fell behind Oak Hill Academy (25-0) by as many as 13-points early in the second quarter before fighting back multiple times – pulling within four points in the fourth quarter – but it wasn't meant to be as Oak Hill sank 11 of 13 free throws down the stretch to hold off the Crusaders rally with a 57-50 win for a record 5^th LSI Championship in six tries. Georgetown-bound 6'3 D'Vantes Smith-Rivera led the Warriors – from Mouth of Wilson, Virginia – with 14 second-half points on his way to game-high 23 points. Smith-Rivera sank 6 of 6 foul shots and Tournament MVP 5'11 Tyler Lewis was a perfect 4 of 4 in the final quarter as Oak Hill finally was able to shake the steady play of Jesuit's 5'10 junior guards, Khyan Rayner and Xavier Coleman, who finished with 11 points apiece. 6'1 senior Rick Maddock came off the bench to lead the Crusaders with 15 points.

In the nationally televised (ESPNU) contest Oak Hill came out ready to play - Smith-Rivera drove for a layup and drilled a three-pointer and UCLA-bound 6'5 Jordan Adams got two buckets – as the Warriors jumped out to a 9-3 lead after three-minutes. Oak Hill played tough defense, allowing only three baskets all quarter and Smith-Rivera got two rebound put-backs as the Warriors extended to a 17-7 lead at the break.

Both teams took their time on offense trying to work for good shots and each time Oak Hill would inch ahead, Jesuit would answer with a mini-run of its own. Burly 6'7 junior Max Rich provided some energy for the Crusaders by banging with the Warriors inside and making 4 of 6 free throws in the quarter. Rayner drilled his second three-pointer of the quarter from the left side and Maddock got a steal and layup in the final minute as Jesuit pulled within 28-21 at halftime.

Rayner, a diminutive 5'10 junior, held his own against the highly-touted Lewis, a N.C. State recruit. Rayner hounded Lewis all night with his on the ball defense and the player that electrified the LSI crowd for three games was held in check. Lewis had just 6 points before his late free throws and only dished out two assists while committing four turnovers.

Oak Hill jumped ahead again at the start of the third quarter, but true to form, Jesuit came roaring back by outscoring the Warriors 10-3 over a five-minute stretch to pull within 35-31 on a 6'0 senior Werner Nistler III three-pointer from the right wing. Nistler had just entered the game for an inbounds play, a great strategic move by Jesuit coach Gene Potter.

Smith-Rivera ended the quarter with a three-point play and Lewis drove for an easy layup to start the fourth quarter, but the Crusaders were still not finished. Maddock hit a three-pointer from the right corner and Coleman drove for a layup as the Crusaders again pulled within four points, 40-36. Smith-Rivera scored six points and Memphis-bound 6'6 senior Damien Wilson drove right at basket for two hoops as the Warriors clamped down on defense, holding Jesuit to just two baskets over a four-minute stretch for a 50-41 lead with under two-minutes remaining. Oak Hill made 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute to hold on as Jesuit kept coming; Rayner hit his third trey, Maddock hit a jumper and Coleman got two driving hoops as the Crusaders showed great heart.

Oak Hill had a huge advantage at the free throw stripe, making 16 of 20, compared to Jesuit's 6 of 9. Jesuit committed only 8 turnovers while forcing 12 Warrior turnovers and holding Oak Hill to just 4 assists as a team. Jesuit made just 6 of 25 from beyond the arc, while Oak Hill shot 44% from the field and 80% from the line. Oak Hill held a 33-24 rebounding edge.  Rich finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds while 6'8 senior Colin Spickerman had a game-high 7 rebounds with 3 assists for the Crusaders.