Top player thrills at New Year’s Bash

Tyreke Evans scores 39 in Eagles’ 91-44 win over Boca Raton

By Mario Sarmento
SPORTS EDITOR

American Christian (Pa.) senior Tyreke Evans is one of the top players in the country, and he didn’t disappoint in the Boca Raton High School New Year’s Bash Wednesday, scoring 39 points in barely more than three quarters to lead his Eagles to a 91-44 win over the Bobcats.

“You don’t see kids like that,” Boca Raton coach Manny Bloom said. “We told our kids, that’s what a one-and-done kid looks like. That’s LeBron-like, that’s that level that people don’t understand.”

Afterwards, Evans engaged in what has become commonplace for him this season, signing autographs and taking pictures with dozens of fans.

“This is a lot less than usual, usually it’s about an hour-and-a-half after each time,” Eagles coach Tony Bergeron said. “Usually if it’s just local we don’t do anything, we just funnel him out. But because he’s in Florida now, Manny’s (Bloom) a great friend of mine, let the kids enjoy themselves.”

Evans, the No. 6 senior in the nation according to Rivals.com, more than lived up to the billing with an array of jumpers, layups and two thunderous dunks before he was taken out of the game.

“He’s the best player I’ve ever gone against,” Boca Raton High senior Colby Wohlleb said. Wohlleb was second on the Bobcats with nine points Wednesday.

Evans knows all eyes are on him when he plays, but he said his main focus is the same as all basketball players.
“I’m just out there trying to do the best for my team and get a win, and try to listen to my coach as much as I can,” he said.
The gym was almost full capacity for the game, and when Evans threw down a one-handed dunk off a pass that caromed off the backboard, the crowd erupted in applause.

“The crowd wanted to see me,” he said. “If it was a close game, we would have run more of our offense.”

Bergeron said he’s brought his Eagles down to South Florida the last few years, and after the game he and Boca Raton Principal Geoff McKee were discussing a way to bring American Christian back next year.

Evans won’t be with next year’s Eagles though, as he plans to commit to a college after the McDonald’s High School All-American Game after the season.

Currently, Seton Hall, Texas, Louisville and Memphis are among Evans’ suitors.

American Christian was far from a one-man show though, as the Eagles created several turnovers that led to easy layups.

Lamont Jones offered deadeye shooting, and he finished with 25 points, including four three-pointers.

American Christian (16-1) started the game with a 20-4 run that the Bobcats were unable to recover from.

“We told them, if you cannot turn it over, you can hang,” Bloom said. “But if you turn it over, they just thrive off of that.”
Greg Westry led Boca Raton (9-5) with 10 points.

Grandview is 16-0
Grandview Prep improved to 16-0 with a 72-52 win over West Boca Raton High in the early game at the Boca Raton High School New Year’s Bash.

Isaac Sosa led the Pride with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

“We were kind of sloppy in the first half, and we made some adjustments at halftime,” Sosa said.

Grandview’s defense was outstanding, holding West Boca to just 19-of-58 (.328) shooting from the field.

“We just wanted to make sure we played great defense,” Pride coach Joe Dawson said.

Grandview played Boca Raton Thursday night, while American Christian faced American Heritage-Plantation in the other game. (Results were not available at press time).