UNION, N.J. — Michael Gilchrist displayed the full array of his skill-set Sunday before a packed house of 3,000 fans at Kean University’s Harwood Arena.
The 6-foot-7 Kentucky signee hit a 3-pointer, flipped in a runner and repeatedly attacked the basket en route to 25 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 2 steals as St. Patrick, No. 2 in the ESPN Rise Fab 50, downed in-state rival St. Benedict’s, 73-65, in the marquee game of the Scholarship for Inner City Children Festival.
“Mike Gilchrist plays so hard and he does so many things,” said New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski. “He’s a warrior. If I were a coach, I’d love to coach him.”
“He’s a tough player, man,” added St. Ben’s coach Roshown McLeod, the former St. Anthony and Duke standout who played briefly in the NBA. “He’s got a motor that a lot of high school kids can’t even fathom.”
Even though Gilchrist picked up his fourth foul with 2:19 left in the third quarter, he attacked the basket throughout.
With Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua watching, Gilchrist shot 6 of 13 from the field and 12 of 14 from the line.
“It was a good win,” Gilchrist said. “It was just my teammates. We just got the win.”
St. Ben’s (6-5) got to within 54-49 early in the fourth period, but St. Pat’s rattled off a 5-0 run, getting 3 of 4 from Gilchrist at the stripe, to push the lead back to 59-49.
After a Tuesday tilt with Plainfield back at Kean, Gilchrist and St. Pat’s (7-0) will travel to Florida and take on Duke-bound Austin Rivers and Winter Park in their gym Friday (7 p.m., ESPN2).
“Austin Rivers is probably the transcendent talent in the senior class, but Michael Gilchrist is the best player because he plays every possession,” Konchalski said.
Celtics coach Kevin Boyle said that matchup could help determine the National Player of the Year award, but Konchalski said, “It shouldn’t, it shouldn’t.”
The clear implication was that Gilchrist deserves that honor.
Said Boyle: “You have the two best players in the country, I think clearly. Mike’s job is, carry your team to a T of C [Tournament of Champions] and a Top 3 national ranking. And it’s hard for them not to give it to him if he wins that game, if the season means anything.”
Gilchrist and Rivers could have met in the final of the City of Palms Classic last month in Florida, but Winter Park lost in the semifinals while St. Pat’s went on to win the tournament.
The two are friends who have competed on the AAU circuit and Gilchrist said he’s looking forward to Friday’s matchup.
“I can’t wait,” he said.
FREE THROWS
Rutgers coach Mike Rice, Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard and associate head coach Shaheen Holloway, Georgetown coach John Thompson III and assistant Mike Brennan, St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli, Wagner and former St. Benedict’s coach Dan Hurley and former Rutgers coach Fred Hill were on hand….Uncommitted St. Patrick senior guard Chris Martin scored 22 points, hitting 5 of 7 3-pointers. More on him in a later blog…6-8 N.C. State signee Tyler Harris of St. Ben’s played well in scoring a team-high 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while defending Gilchrist. St. Ben’s sophomore guard Tyler Ennis had 13 points, 4 assists and 6 turnovers in his second game with the team. McLeod said he’s drawn interest from Seton Hall, Rutgers and Florida, among others. George Mason-bound guard Vaughn Gray tallied just 1 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes.
IN OTHER GAMES
Seton Hall Prep downed Hudson Catholic, 63-53, behind Maryland-bound Sterling Gibbs’ 20 points and 6-6 junior forward Stephon Mosley’s career-high 28.
Stephon Whyatt had 13 of his 21 in the first half as St. Peter’s Prep routed defending T of C champ Trenton Catholic, 63-40.
St. Anthony routed St. Joe’s of Montvale, 76-44, to give Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley career win No. 992.
Lucious Jones had 17 points and 7 rebounds and Kyle Anderson added 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Rutgers-bound point guard Myles Mack added 10 points and 2 assists.
Kentucky, Georgetown, Rutgers and Seton Hall were all on hand to watch the 6-8 Anderson.
Kyle Anderson Sr. said they planned to cut his list to eight or nine by the end of the high school season, and to five by the July live period.
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