Jahki Lucas turned in a pair double-digit scoring performances as UPrep downed South Park and Middle College of Section VI in the Park High School Thanksgiving Tournament. (Photo: RON KALASINKAS)
By PAUL GOTHAM
Last season, Jahki Lucas rightfully played in the shadow of another teammate. Early returns show the junior point guard is ready to accept a more prominent role with the UPrep Griffins.
Lucas scored in double figures twice as UPrep won the Park High School (VI) Thanksgiving Tournament with wins over South Park (VI), Saturday and Middle College (VI) on Sunday.
Lucas scored 22 points and handed out eight assists in the Griffins’ 63-59 victory on Saturday. He followed with a 17-point, 10-assist performance in Sunday’s 71-49 triumph.
“He took a back seat role because he had Jeenathan and all those seniors,” UPrep head coach James Reaves said referring to former star Jeenathan Williams. “People don’t know. Jahki is a player. He can really go.”
Junior forward Kani LaGree notched a pair of double-doubles on the weekend scoring 10 and grabbing 10 boards in Saturday’s win followed by a 10-point, 12-rebound effort on Sunday.
“We surprised a lot of people there,” Reaves noted. “They were counting us out because we lost Jeenathan and four seniors. We got something for them.”
Fellow junior forward Jabez Thomas scored eight points and hauled in 12 rebounds in Sunday’s contest, but Reaves pointed to the efforts of guards Elroy Clark (10 points), Quinton Sanders (18 points in Saturday’s game) and James Strothers (15 points).
“People would think he would be our focal point, but he is not,” Reaves said referring to Thomas. “He’s a big guy and good presence to have, but we have three talented guards who are just waiting their turn. It’s just going to be their turn.”
UPrep hosts Niagara Falls (VI) Saturday night at Roberts Wesleyan College before welcoming Greece Athena on Wednesday, December 6th.
“If you want to be the best, you got play against the best, Reaves said. “The goal is to put our kids in situations where they can get the most exposure. You got to play against the good teams to get that.”
Reaves added former teammate Demond Stewart to his coaching staff. Reaves and Stewart played together as members of the Niagara University Purple Eagles and Rochester Razorsharks.
OTHER WEEKEND SCORES
Friday:
WARSAW TOURNAMENT
Pavilion 68
Byron-Bergen 55
Warsaw 77
Red Jacket 45
BRADFORD TOURNAMENT
Alfred-Almond 23
Avoca 61
Avoca’s Ladre Stanford netted 33 points to go with eight rebounds and six steals. Evan Reppert chipped in with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Bradford 46
Hammondsport 35
Nick Bailey led Bradford with 11. Steven Spina had 10.
RED CREEK TOURNAMENT
Red Creek 55 OT
Hannibal 53
SATURDAY:
WARSAW TOURNAMENT
Red Jacket 44
Byron-Bergen 45
Lucas Stucchio and Cameron Shenk scored 14 points apiece to lead Byron-Bergen. Chase Rizzo had 16 in a losing effort.
Warsaw 54
Pavilion 41
BRADFORD TOURNAMENT
Alfred-Almond 24
Hammondsport 31
Bradford 51
Avoca 68
Ladre Standford poured in 31 points for Avoca. Evan Reppert chipped in with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore Blaze Machuga led Bradford with 14 points.
RED CREEK TOURNAMENT
Red Creek 42
Phoenix 71
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