Huffman and the Doutrives dominate; Hepa suffers ankle injury
Brandon Huffman
Facing off against fellow UNC-commit Coby White of Greenfield, the 6-foot-9 center delivered huge numbers in a 97-68 victory with 27 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks.
Huffman, of West High fame, signed with the Tar Heels last month and is expected to be in Chapel Hill this fall.
He ranks as the No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina and eighth in the North Carolina/South Carolina/Virginia region, according to Phenom Hoops.
In Los Angeles, California, the bus was late to pick up Birmingham before the game. But the Doutrive brothers from Anchorage were right on time at the finish.
Devante Doutrive
Senior Devante Doutrive netted 23 points to lead Birmingham and junior Devonaire Doutrive had 19 points.
The bus was late to pick up the Patriots, which explains probably why Birmingham dug itself a 15-point hole in the first half.
“We were not as physical,” Devante Doutrive told the Los Angeles Daily News. “We tried to not give up too many easy shots in the second half.”
His defensive pressure on Oak Hill’s top scorer made a big difference down the stretch.
So did Devonaire Doutrive’s four free throws in the closing moments.
Birmingham will face perennial power Mater Dei in the next round.
Kamaka Hepa
The 6-foot-9 junior transfer blocked four shots and scored 11 points before leaving early in the third quarter with a high left ankle sprain. He was on crutches after the game, according to The Oregonian.
Hepa, of Barrow High fame, is a nationally ranked player who has half the Pac-12 chasing him.
“Arguably the best player in the state of Oregon,” Jefferson coach Pat Strickland told the newspaper.