McGriff sparks Clark to Legacy basketball tourney 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.

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

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.