Dec 27, 2011
HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational
Final: The Broughton Capitals advanced to the finals of the 4-team Randolph Bracket at the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational by hammering Rocky Mount 68- 56. Broughton jumped into a comfortable lead mid-way through the third quarter with a 9-0 run, that pushed the Cap advantage to 42-31. They simply maintained from there.
Rocky Mount made a very late charge, but it was too little too late for the Gryphons, as Broughton had built a comfortable lead. The Caps were led by James Hemphill and Devonte' Graham. Graham led the way with 21 while Hemphill chipped in 16. Broughton played a total team game with very balanced scoring. The Caps got points from 8 players on the night.
Rocky Mount got 25 points out of their senior forward Terill Hilliard, but Broughton's defense really tightened down on him int the second half, as they held him to just 10 points in the final two stanzas.
Broughton advances to take on Chapel Hill in the Championship Game of the Randolph Bracket which will be played on December 30th at 5:40 p.m. at Broughton's Holiday Gymnasium. Rocky Mount falls to the consolation finals, where they will take on Clayton in a game to be contested at 11 a.m. on December 28th at Broughton.
End 3rd Quarter: Broughton has seized control of this contest as the Caps lead 53-37 starting the fourth. Terrill Hilliard went quiet for most of the third quarter and Broughton went on a 9-0 run mid-way through the period to stretch out to a 42-31 lead. That lead would gradually expand as the Caps continued to pour it on, while the Gryphons struggled to get anything going from the field. Broughton really took Hilliard out of the game in the opening minutes of the third quarter, as he spent the majority of the time outside the arc without the ball in his hands.
Hilliard seems to be the most lethal when he has the ball with his back to the basket on the low block, but James Hemphill of Broughton did a good job of pushing him away from the area he is most comfortable in, and preventing him from getting many touches on the ball. Hemphill also has 16 points to lead the Caps attack.
Halftime: Broughton leads Rocky Mount 28-25 at the half. The Gryphons went on a 6-0 run to open the second as Terrill Hilliard scored all 6 of the Gryphon points to give Rocky Mount their first lead of the game at 19-18. The two teams settled into a nice back and forth with two ties and two lead changes. There have been a total of four ties in the game. Broughton hasn't had an answer inside for Hilliard who has 15 points to lead all scorers in the half. The 6'5" senior forward has been busy on the glass with five rebounds already and active in the paint, with the majority of his points coming off of offensive rebounds or post moves. He is 6 for 9 from the field including a single 3-point attempt.
Rocky Mount is beating the Caps on the boards as well. The Gryphons have an 18-12 advantage on the glass, and that could be worse given the athleticism the Gryphons are capable of putting on the floor.
Broughton has had very balanced scoring as six different players have tallied points in the first half. No scorers in double-figures for the Caps in the first half, but they are led by forward James Hemphill who has seven along with Devonte' Graham who has dumped in 7 as well.
Halftime stats: Broughton: Devonte' Graham 7 pts.; Chris Corchiani 5 pts.; Justin Coleman 4 pts.; James Hemphill 7 pts.; Cameron Gottfried 3 pts.; Chris Brickhouse 2 pts. Rocky Mount: Tevin Taylor 2 pts.; Mason Hines 2 pts.; Terrill Hilliard 15 pts.; Lavon Brutus 2 pts.; Dante Battle 4 pts.
End 1st Quarter: Terrill Hilliard has the last five Rocky Mount points, as he is keeping the Gryphons in this game early. Broughton leads 18-13 after one quarter of play. Devonte' Graham leads the Caps and all scorers with 7 points, including a beautiful three-point play off of a steal as he finished a lay-up and converted the ensuing free throw to give the Caps a five point advantage. The two teams started out on a torrid pace but things have slowed down considerably as the two teams started to feel each other out a little bit. Rocky Mount has a little bit more ability to get off the floor and make plays happen above the rim, but Broughton is hanging tough on the glass.
Pregame: Broughton makes its' 23rd appearance in the HighSchoolOT.com Holiday Invitational as they take on Rocky Mount in the first round of the 4-team boys Randolph Bracket game. The winner will take on Chapel Hill for the Randolph bracket championship on December 30th at 5:40 p.m. at Broughton.
The Caps played in the first Holiday Invitational in 1972. Broughton's roster shows just 3 seniors and a single sophomore to go alongside nine juniors. Devonte Graham is a junior to watch for the Caps. The 6'0" guard can be a difference maker for his squad. Graham is currently receiving interest from schools including Appalachian, ECU, and Elon. James Hemphill also is a guy to watch, as the 6'5" wingman can attack the basket well, and fits into the Broughton up-tempo system nicely.
Rocky Mount won the first Holiday Invitational, the Gryphons are back for the second time in four years. UNC legend Phil Ford helped Rocky Mount win the inaugural Holiday Invitational. This year's Gryphons are led by backcourt players Tevin Taylor and M.J. Gainey.
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