TIP-OFF CLASSIC: McGriff sparks Clark to title

Bryan McGriff believes Clark’s boys basketball team is on the verge of a breakout season.

The senior forward made sure the Chargers got out of the gates fast.

McGriff had 27 points and eight rebounds to power Clark to a 71-59 win over host Legacy in the title game of the inaugural Legacy Tip-Off Classic on Saturday.

“He’s terrific. You can’t imagine the improvement he’s made from Day One when we started working with him to now,” Clark coach Chad Beeten said of McGriff. “He’s a big-time leader, and everybody looks at him that way.”

The 6-foot-7-inch McGriff left the gym with a Most Valuable Player trophy after he keyed a second-half surge for the Chargers (3-1). He scored 20 of his game-high 27 points after halftime.

Legacy (3-2) pulled within 61-54 on a layup by David Jeffries with less than two minutes remaining.

But McGriff sank two free throws to give the Chargers a 63-54 lead, and Legacy turned the ball over on its ensuing possession.

McGriff hit two 3-pointers in the third quarter as the Chargers used an 18-5 run to expand their lead to 45-30.

“Coach called timeout, and we all got yelled at. That made everybody play hard because we didn’t want to lose,” McGriff said.

DeAndre Henderson had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists for Clark, and Sir Washington scored 11.

Beeten was pleased with the way freshman point guard Colby Jackson played in place of injured starter Kentrell Washington. Jackson had five points and four assists.

Kentrell Washington sat out as he continues to recover from an ankle sprain. Clark also won the title without 6-8 sophomore center Devin Burleson, who is waiting to become eligible after transferring from California.

"We were short handed," Beeten said. "If (Kentrell Washington) is not our best player, he's one of our best, and we did that with a freshman point guard playing 30 minutes. It's a great start."

Cardon Harris had 19 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots for Legacy. Zach Lane had 13 points and six rebounds for the Longhorns, and Chris Hughes grabbed eight rebounds.

In addition to McGriff, the all-tournament team included Agassi Prep's Kalinn Jackson, Bonanza's Ashton Howard, Cheyenne's Jamal Peterson, Clark's Diontae Jones, Durango's Tre'Vonn Wells, Legacy's Hughes and Mojave's Marcus Hines.

Agassi Prep 81, Durango 69 — Jackson scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to help the Stars pull away from the Trailblazers.

Terrell Kemp and Anson Williams had 15 points each for Agassi Prep, and teammate Demadjeo Simon scored 11.

Joe Tuss paced Durango with 23 points. Wells added 18 points, and Tyler Jones scored 13 for the Trailblazers.

Clark 83, Bonanza 51 — Jones poured in 21 points, McGriff added 18 points and the Chargers rolled past the Bengals.

Sir Washington added 11 points for Clark.

Howard scored 17 points for the Bengals.

Legacy 67, Mojave 31 — Harris scored 11 points and Jeffries added 10 points as the Longhorns routed the Rattlers.

Deon Walters led Mojave with nine points.

Cheyenne 71, Francis Parker (Calif.) 59 — Peterson hit four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points to lead the Desert Shields past the Lancers.

Khalid Banks added 15 points for Cheyenne, which sank 11 3-pointers.

Dalante Dunklin led Francis Parker with 19 points.

Durango 77, Cheyenne 72 — Wells and Tuss scored 20 points apiece to lead the Trailblazers to the win.

Paris Estrada scored 14 points for Durango, and Dartangan Rollins added 13 points.

Gary Stewart led Cheyenne with 18 points, and Peterson scored 15.

Bonanza 83, Agassi Prep 42 — Ashton Howard scored 23 points to lead the Bengals by the Stars.

Alex Arias scored 12 points for Bonanza, and Anthony Flores added 10 points.

Jackson scored 26 for Agassi Prep.

Mojave 74, Legacy JV 65 — Justin Smith scored 23 points as the Rattlers beat the Longhorns’ junior varsity.

Bryant Lewis had 14 points and Jason Wallace scored 11 for Mojave.

Jahlonn Williams led Legacy’s junior varsity with 22 points.