The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IT WAS a highly anticipated meeting and top high school basketball recruit DeAndre Ayton did not disappoint matched up against fellow Bahamians in Lawrence, Kansas.

Ayton delivered an historic performance with 52 points, 33 rebounds and 10 blocks in his Hillcrest Bruins’ 71-67 win over the Sunrise Academy Buffaloes at the Lawrence Hoop Duel Saturday night.

Fellow Bahamians Rashad Davis, Godfrey Rolle and Charles Bain are members of the Sunrise team.

Ayton, the top recruit in the Class of 2017, continues to be a dominant force for the Bruins, out of Arizona, as they continue to gain national recognition appearing in tournaments across the US.

He has played himself to rave reviews at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, Mustang Madness and the Grind Session series of tournaments in various locations. “It was personal,” Ayton said. “They were talking trash out there, and I tried to show them, you know, we’re gonna win this game, this is who I am, stuff like that.”

The Buffaloes continue their tradition of having a strong Bahamian presence on its roster with the latest trio.

Sunrise is also the alma mater of current Division I players Buddy Hield (Oklahoma), Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr (Michigan State), Nathan Bain (Stephen F Austin) and Leashja Grant (Texas Tech).

Davis has been the most vital contributor of the group and has played his most productive basketball of late.

The former CC Sweeting Cobra and Hugh Campbell MVP was the player of the game in a 54-46 win ofer Twenty-Two Feet Academy with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He followed up with 15 points in a 71-30 win over CYM.

Rolle starred locally with Agape Christian in Abaco, while Bain made the move to the United States initially with LaLumiere Academy in Indiana before making the transfer to Sunrise.