We started out with DME Varsity taking on Winston Salem Christian Regional, taking part in the Ancore Invitational at Combine Academy. These two teams were back in action after Day 1 and it was WS Christian that turned it up a notch early on. They were able to get out in transition, create early turnovers, and really pressure DME which ultimately helped them earn the early edge 17-8 at the end of the first quarter. WS Christian Regional continued to amp up the pressure and create turnovers, which they were able to turn into points; it helped WS to maintain a double-digit lead to the start of the second quarter. DME started to find a bit more success inside and out, knocking down shots that allowed them to stay within striking distance at halftime but WS Regional continued to hold a 35-23 at the half.
DME continued to find some success but struggled with turnovers again to start the second half, which allowed Winston Salem to get out and run and get easy baskets. It is what allowed them to increase their lead to 52-34 by the end of the third quarter. From then on, it was pretty much cruise control for WS Christian Regional in maintaining their lead, eventually coming away with the Day 2 victory, 69-51.
Final: WS Christian Regional 69 – DME Varsity 51
Stats:
WS Christian Regional: CJ Vaughn 28 points/ Dontae Watson 11 points/ Caden Fitzgibbons 9 points
DME Varsity: Elia de Almeida Rosa 10 points/ Kris Kitenge 9 points/ Vincent Steward 9 points
Standouts:
2024 CJ Vaughn (WS Christian): Vaughn continues to show that he is a productive scoring guard on the floor. He plays with a great motor, seems to be all over the place on both ends, finds ways to create his own shot but also can find the open spot and knock down shots, and did a great job attacking the defense and in transition to score easy baskets. Vaughn is a player that schools should be looking at more with his scoring ability but also his athleticism and impact on the court.
Kris Kitenge (DME): Kitenge is a new name here in the state, coming from Congo. Bu when you watch him, you can see the flashes in his game and one thing you will get out of him is energy and toughness. He plays hard, gets after it on the boards, and can get downhill to attack and look to score. Raw but grabbed our attention.