The Mecca HS Showcase Recap: Game by Game Standouts

A number of teams flocked to the Bronx over the weekend for the famed Mecca HS Showcase, and that included some of the best in New Jersey. In the first of our articles about The Mecca HS Showcase, here’s a recap of what the Garden State representatives did on Sunday. <strong><em>St. John Vianney 75, Blair Academy 58</em></strong> There was one lone game between two New Jersey schools, those being the undefeated Lady Lancers of St. John Vianney (15-0) and a competitive program in Blair (12-3). SJV was down 20-18 after the first quarter as it was a close game in the first quarter. However, the Lady Lancers behind a combined 52 points from [player_tooltip player_id="134626" first="Madison" last="St. Rose"] and [player_tooltip player_id="134644" first="Zoe" last="Brooks"], took a five-point lead into the half and then proceeded to put the game away for good with a 20-5 third quarter. Ally Lovisolo led Blair with 20 points in the loss while [player_tooltip player_id="134756" first="Jaylin" last="Hartman"] had 10 and Tara Johnson had 11. <strong><em>Winston-Salem Christian 48, Paul VI 44</em></strong> [player_tooltip player_id="134645" first="Hannah" last="Hidalgo"] had another strong performance for Paul VI (13-2) against WSC, scoring 20 points along with seven steals and five rebounds. However, the Eagles just couldn’t hold off the scoring attack of Winston-Salem, who used a 14-6 third quarter to separate itself enough from PVI. Despite a strong comeback in the fourth quarter, it was too little, too late. Sara McShea had nine points in the loss and Shariah Baynes had eight points and three rebounds for the Eagles. <strong><em>Rutgers Prep 48, Staten Island Academy (NY) 39</em></strong> The Argonauts (12-1) had a balanced scoring attack against Staten Island on Sunday as six different players scored in the win, along with a team-high 13 points from [player_tooltip player_id="325201" first="Mikayla" last="Blakes"]. [player_tooltip player_id="321576" first="Katie" last="Ledden"] led Rutgers Prep with six rebounds along with nine points. [player_tooltip player_id="319013" first="Antonia" last="Bates"] also had nine points, hauling in five rebounds and recording a block. [player_tooltip player_id="325188" first="Zahra" last="Alexander"] led the Argos with two blocks on the day. Rutgers Prep went into the half tied at 26-26, before outscoring Staten Island 22-13 the rest of the way. <strong><em>Montclair Immaculate 50, Capital Courts (Canada) 46</em></strong> Three players scored in double figures for Montclair Immaculate (10-4) in a close four-point win over Capital Courts and [player_tooltip player_id="325200" first="Tayla" last="Thomas"] had her seventh-straight double-double as well, with 10 points and 13 rebounds. It was her 11th of the season overall. Tiara Bellamy had a career-high 15 points in the win and [player_tooltip player_id="134648" first="Tyonna" last="Bailey"] had another solid game, with 12 points, seven rebounds and one block. Montclair played a complete game and held off an impressive fight from Capital. <strong><em>Putnam Science (CT) 62, Life Center 53</em></strong> It was a tough ending for Life Center, who led Putnam 32-22 going into the half. They were out-scored by 19 points in the second half, and nine points in the fourth quarter for their second loss of the season. LaShanda Smith, who recently joined the 1000 point club earlier in the month, led Life Center and all scorers in the game with 22 points, earning the game’s Sportsmanship Award. The Lady Warriors fell to 4-2 on the season with the loss.