Tilton Takes Tournament of Champions

November 28th, 2011
New England Recruiting Report

Niang averages 20+ points per game while Noel captures MVP honors at State Farms Tournament of Champions in Illinois.

The Tilton Boys Varsity Basketball team recently returned from Peoria, Illinois where they competed in the State Farms Tournament of Champions.  After wins against Sunrise Christian Academy of Kansas and Trent International of Texas, Tilton faced off against Huntington Prep of West Virginia in Saturday’s championship, in a match-up of two of the top five programs in the country. 

The name of the game was defense for the first 16 minutes but the Rams were able to build a 23-18 lead going into halftime.  Tilton caught momentum to start the third quarter, going up by as much as 13 before securing the 53-48 win. 

Sophomore, Wayne Selden topped Tilton's scorers with 16 points while also adding 4 assists and 2 steals.  Georges Niang, who had a strong tournament, went for 15 points and 8 rebounds.  Nerlens Noel (8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks) and Goodluck Okonoboh (8 points, 11 rebounds) were forces to reckon with in the paint. 

Niang was the team's scoring leader in both opening round games, going for 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a win over Trent International, and following that up with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists against Sunrise Christian.  Kevin Crescenzi also came up big in the semifinals, slowing down Oklahoma bound guard Buddy Hield and making a couple big shots of his own down the stretch of the 47-42 win. 

Niang and Selden were named to the All Tournament Team and Noel was honored as the MVP for the event.  The win improves the Rams' record to 4-0.  They return to action next Sunday against South Kent at Marianapolis Prep as part of the Hoop Mountain Prep Classic.