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Big Shots MLK High School Tourney Town Showcase: Game Recaps

By Big Shots Nation, 01/20/20, 8:00AM EST

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Here's a look at the recaps from the MLK HS Tourney Town Showcase.

Moravian Prep Regional vs. Salem Baptist Christian

Moravian Prep's Regional Squad got a big boost from 2025 guard Eli Ellis. Ellis set the bar early in the first game of the day with 48 points on 12 made 3-pointers in a 98-62 victory over Salem Baptist Christian.  Moravian Prep's Regional squad led 48-30 at halftime and their lead kept growing as the game progressed thanks to their sharpshooting seventh-grader. Ellis got going in the first half with 27 then caught fire in the fourth quarter, making six 3-pointers in the win for his team. He took home Game MVP honors as well. For Salem Baptist, 2021 forward Shad Thomas led the way with 23 points.

Winston Salem Prep vs. Piedmont Classical

In the second game of the day, the Winston-Salem Prep Phoenix squared off against the Piedmont Classical Bobcats. The Bobcats jumped out to an early lead 23-8 in the first quarter and never looked back, leading 40-28 at halftime. In the end, Piedmont Classical got an 85-73 led by 2021 guard Jamarii Thomas' 15 points. Unsigned seniors Trent McIntyre put up 14 points and Jalen Joiner put up 11 points as well.  Thomas took home Game MVP honors. It was a balanced attack that overcame 25 points from Winston-Salem Prep's Stephen Minor and 2021 wing TJ Mills' 24 points. Minor put up 21 of his 25 points in the second half.

Moravian Prep National vs. Faith Assembly

In their first stop of the day, the Moravian Prep National squad faced Faith Assembly before heading Kinston to face Word of God Academy.  NC State-bound forward Josh Hall came out hot to set the tone on offense for Moravian Prep. Hall opened the game with five-straight dunks and finished with 16 points while playing just the first half. Future teammate Shakeel Moore also put up 11 points as Moravian Prep boasted a 56-17 lead at halftime. In the second half, 2021 forward Tavis Bridges had his way a whole lot more, put up 15 of his 19 points. 2025 guard Eli Ellis picked up where he left off in their regional squad's game, putting up 15 points against Faith Assembly. In the end, Moravian Prep got the victory 93-24 and Hall took home Game MVP honors.

Westover vs. Eastern Guilford

The Westover Wolverines and Eastern Guilford Wildcats turned things up a notch in the fourth game of the day. Eastern Guilford jumped out to an early lead led by the offensive onslaught Kadyn Dawkins Jr. delivered, but the Wolverines responded to tie it up at 16 after one quarter.  At the half, things remained close with Westover leading 32-26. Dawkins put on a show in the second half, putting up 20 of his 33 points along with five 3-pointers to keep things close. In the end, though, Westover would hold onto the lead and seal a 69-64 victory thanks to the play of 2021 wing D'Marco Dunn. Dunn finished the game with 27 points, 14 of them coming in the second half to take home Game MVP honors. Unsigned senior Traymond Willis-Shaw also finished with 19 points. 

Salisbury vs. Reidsville

In another exciting game, the Salisbury Hornets and Reidsville Rams faced each other in the fifth game of the day. The Hornets came out firing on all cylinders early, opening the first quarter with 28 points led by nine points from unsigned senior Jaquez Smith, who made three 3-pointers in the quarter to open up a 28-16 lead. At the half, the Hornets led 47-34. After trailing by as many as 21 points, the Rams battled back in the second half led by 2021 guard Breon Pass. Pass would go on to score 32 points in the second half to finish with 50 points, including the game-saving block to secure a 92-90 victory. He would go on to take home Game MVP honors as well. For Salisbury, 2020 guard Zay Kesler led the way with 24 points while 2021 forward Nate Brown also had 23 points. 

Ben L. Smith vs.  Piedmont Classical

The Piedmont Classical Bobcats suited up once again for their second game of the day, this time squaring off against the Ben L. Smith Golden Eagles. It was a battle from beginning to end as Piedmont Classical opened with 25 points in the first quarter to lead 25-16 after 1. Jalen Joiner came out hot, scoring 9 points to jumpstart the Bobcats offense. The Golden Eagles responded in the second quarter though, scoring 28 points to trail 45-44 at the half. Things were tight in the third quarter as the Bobcats led by 61-59 heading into a decisive fourth quarter. Piedmont Classical went off for 31 points as a team to secure a 92-82 victory over the home team. Trent McIntyre led the way with 19 points, 11 in the second half. Unsigned senior Silas Mason led the way for Smith with 23 points. 

High Point Christian vs. Wesleyan Christian

In the final game of the night, it was a rivalry renewed as the High Point Christian Cougars faced the Wesleyan Christian Trojans. The Trojans and Cougars traded blows early and after the first half, the Trojans led 33-30. 2020 wing Kaleb Brooks led the Trojans' balanced scoring attack with nine points while Landon Sutton led the way for the Cougars with 15 points. In the second half, the third quarter became a hot one for 2021 guard Isaiah Ray, as he put up eight points to power a 21-point scoring outburst from the team. In the fourth quarter, he would score eight more points to power the Trojans to a 73-58 victory. Ray finished with Game MVP honors after scoring 21 points in the game as well. Brooks finished with 17 points.