New Jersey team tops Timpview

OREM — Facing a national high school power loaded with college-bound leapers, Timpview coach Perry Wildeboer would normally be happy seeing his team allow 21 3-point attempts.

But the long-range choice but kept the Gray Bees of St. Benedicts, N.J., in the game for three quarters. A little more poise than Timpview in the final minutes also helped the visiting team escaped with a 56-48 victory in the Ragu Classic Thursday night at Utah Valley State College.

The game was much closer than the final score. The Thunderbirds led for a good portion of the contest. The lead changed hands nine times and the game was tied six times. Timpview led after each of the first three quarters.

Still, the Gray Bees, coming off back-to-back 55-point wins, pulled away in the final minutes thanks to two crucial T-Birds turnovers and some clutch free-throw shooting.

"When we don't play well we find ways to win, and the main reason we didn't play well was they way their people played us," said St. Benedicts coach Danny Hurley.

The Gray Bees are one of the top 10 high school teams in the country. Forward Alex Galindo and guard J.R. Smith are rated in the top 50 players nationally. Smith, who signed recently to play at North Carolina, is the No. 4 high school prospect. Galindo will take his talents to the University of Texas El Paso next season. Hurley credited their poise and fourth-quarter foul shooting for the hard-fought win.

"When you have seniors that are big-time players like Smith and Galindo they step when they need to," Hurley said.

Wildeboer felt the game was there for the T-Birds to win. Timpview wasn't intimidated by St. Benedicts' athleticism and was the better team in the paint, despite the Gray Bees having five players taller than 6-feet 5-inches. All can jump out of the gym.

"A lot of people wondered if we can play with a team like this," Wildeboer said. "How good are we really on a national level? I think now we know."

The T-Birds took an early 11-3 behind the inside play of center Chris Miles who scored two quick hoops and blocked a couple of St. Benedicts shots. With Miles patrolling the paint, the Gray Bees were content on staying outside. Their first four hoops and all three of their first quarter baskets were 3-pointers. They hit nine for the game.