In yet another close game, Northwood battled back with over 11 lead changes throughout the game including 4 in the final two minutes and came away with a much needed close win over a really intriguing Northwestern High School team out of Rock Hill, South Carolina after Travon Jackson’s lay in at the buzzer. Northwood was led by the dynamic duo of Josh Nickelberry and Jamahri Harvey, the two combined for 54 Points and 11 rebounds. Northwestern it was a balanced scoring effort with 5 guys in double figures, led by Zay Martin with 28 Points to go with 6 rebounds.
Josh Nickelberry lived at the line for Northwood going 15/17 from the stripe, but Jamahri Harvey was the catalyst late in the game, initiating the offense and finding Travon Jackson for a huge buzzer-beater late in the game. Ethan Young was excellent off the bench coming up with 12 points on 5/5 from the field in only 14 minutes of action. For Northwestern it was Zay Martin and Mason Grigg down the stretch, they each hit huge 3s in the closing moments, Grigg to take a three point lead with 1:22 to play and Martin to tie the game right before the buzzer beater from Jackson. It was a really fun game to watch where you are upset that one of the teams has to lose.
Three Stars of the Game:
1. 6’5 2020 Jamarhi Harvey: Northwood Temple (22 Pts, 4 Reb, 10/14 From the Field)
Harvey has been incredible the past few weeks and rebounded after his worst game in a long time last night with a huge performance that featured an incredibly clutch moment finding Travon Jackson for the game winner. He’s a versatile wing guard that can run your team if needed and as he continues to add confidence he should be a major name to watch for mid-major+ coaches within the entire country. He’s a star in the making and should see his stock rise in a major way over the coarse of the next 12 months.
2. 6’4 2019 Zay Martin: Northwestern High School (28 Pts, 6 Reb, 9/20 From the Field, 3/7 From Three, 7/8 From the Line)
Zay Martin was excellent in this one as an everlasting offensive presence that did a great job of keeping his team either in the lead or within striking distance throughout the contest. He shot it well from distance and made big shot after big shot late in the game, keeping NTA at bay until literally the final seconds. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind he’s a scholarship level talent with the capabilities of coming in immediately and providing an offensive spark at the next level.
3. 6’5 2019 Josh Nickelberry: Northwood Temple (32 Pts, 7 Reb, 15/17 From the Line)
Nickelberry was huge for Northwood Temple yet again, and despite not having his best night from the field he got to the line at a high rate and was extremely efficient at the stripe. He can just score it from absolutely anywhere within 30 feet, using triple threat moves, creating just enough separation to find his shot. He wasn’t super efficient, but he still had a lasting impact on this one finishing with 32.