Mikey makes statement: 42-point performance highlights Nick Herrmann Memorial Showcase
The last time Mikey Williams participated in an event honoring Nick Herrmann, he shook off an off shooting night by hitting a pair of iconic shots to seal a comeback win in this year's Creme of the County.
Two months later, the San Ysidro senior needed no such warm up, as he caught fire early against Carlsbad and finished with 42 points in the Cougars' 78-70 win to cap the six-game Nick Herrmann Memorial Showcase.
Williams scored in every way imaginable, hitting 8-11 threes and repeatedly scoring on drives into the chest of Lancers defender.
"I'm getting back to 100 percent," Williams said, referring to some injuries that have hampered him during the fall.
Not to be lost amid Williams' standout performance was the game effort from Carlsbad, which led for much of the game. Sophomore Jake Hall, a 6-3 sharpshooter who has Division 1 offers from Cal Poly and UC San Diego, hit 6 threes of his own to pace the team, which also got strong performances from 6-2 junior Tony Duckett Jr. and 6-1 sophomore guard Jett Kenady off the bench.
The Lancers led 33-25 with 3 minutes left in the half before the Cougars responded with an 11-3 run to tie the game at 36 at the half. From there, the teams took turns claiming the lead before Williams took over down the stretch, scoring his team's final 10 points and helping to stretch a 62-60 advantage into the final eight-point margin.
The showcase, which benefited Herrmann, the late Torrey Pines basketball standout who died Aug. 6 after a second battle against osteosarcoma, featured 11 of San Diego's top programs and one Inland program, Linfield Christian. Here are the other game results.
Mission Hills 54, Poway 38
The Grizzlies got up 24-9 early in the first half behind the hot shooting of senior CJ Hofmeister and junior Jack Jillson, and continued to build its lead to 19 at the break, 35-19. Mission Hills also got solid performances from senior wing Kyle Neff and its freshmen trio of Logan Vergenz, Jake Van Der Vorste and Mykah Simmons.
La Jolla Country Day 54, La Costa Canyon 49
In a game that could be considered an upset win for the Torreys, La Jolla Country Day rode the early hot hand of senior guard Anthony Aruffo to take a 31-24 lead at halftime. The Mavericks countered with senior guard Christian Brown, whose strong start to the second half briefly gave his team a 36-34 lead. But sophomore point guard Chris Carrillo and junior guard James Wei made critical plays down the stretch to outlast LCC. The Mavericks got good support minutes from seniors Caden Pearlman and Ben Hoier.
Del Norte 36, Vista 24
In a game that can best be described as a "defensive struggle" Del Norte jumped out to a 12-1 lead and held serve, building its lead to 29-11 before the Panthers mounted a small surge. Senior guard Jaden Herrera led the Nighthawks with 18 points. Vista got a solid performance from sophomore wing Cody Myers, who helped the Panthers stay within striking distance in the second half.
Mission Bay 54, El Camino 49
Mission Bay outlasted a game effort by a Wildcats team that was down 3 starters and an assortment of reserves (flu). The Bucs got a spirited defensive effort by its back court - sophomore Atreju De La Cruz and juniors Kumari West, Marcos Korch and Isaah Whitehurst all took turns playing stellar defense against El Camino's standout guard Euan Davis - and timely scoring from junior forward Charlie Hutchison and senior Thomas Metcalf to take what appeared to be an insurmountable 51-41 lead with under 1 minute to go. (And actually led 47-31 with 4 minutes to go)/ But a series of miscues by the Bucs led to clutch buckets on the other end, allowing the Wildcats to cut the lead to 52-49 with the ball and a chance to tie the game, but a late turnover by Davis gave Mission Bay the win.
Linfield Christian 52, Torrey Pines 39
The Lions controlled the game throughout using its ball-hawking pressure defense to force the Falcons into turnovers and quick shots. On the other end, Boston University commit Michael McNair dominated as a scorer and facilitator, as Linfield got a strong effort from its supporting cast - sophomores Julius Brower and Xavier Cox and seniors Calem Costello and Shepard Cope all had strong outings.
