Binghamton, N.Y. — New setting, unknown opponent, same old Justin Jenkins.
Everything, in fact, was different about Wings Academy’s matchup with Dixie Heights (Ky.) in the opening round of the STOP-DWI Holiday Classic in Binghamton, N.Y. It trailed by eight points early – its largest deficit of the season – and was even behind in the fourth quarter, a rarity so far this year.
The one constant – Jenkins – made sure the end result was similar. He scored a game-high 30 points, on 10-of-22 shooting from the field, in the Wings’ hard-fought 69-64 victory, its 10th straight to start the year.
“He steps up when the time is right,” said Wings teammate Jaquan Brown, who has known Jenkins since the two were kids. “I’m not shocked to see what he’s doing.”
He played off the ball and on the ball, set up teammates and created opportunity for himself. Simply, the uncommitted senior guard was unstoppable, finishing with over 30 points for the second straight game.
“I don’t know what college couldn’t use a kid like that,” Wings Academy coach Billy Turnage said.
Yet, Jenkins is still without an offer, though several mid-major Division I programs are looking at him. For that reason, this is a big couple of days for the 6-foot-2 guard.
“It’s another chance to prove myself against the best players,” he said.
When Wings (10-0) trailed 19-11, Jenkins scored four points in a row as Wings finally found itself. It was 47-all after three quarters, before Jenkins started the fourth with a 3-pointer and jump shot from the left elbow in transition. He gave Wings the lead for good late in the fourth, first with two free throws and then a contested deep jump shot and another free throw.
“I call those senior shots,” Turnage said. “He’s not gonna allow us to lose the ballgame.”
It wasn’t a completely one-man show. Steven Gomez scored 16 points and made several big shots in the second half and shut down Dixie Heights big man Parker Stanberry (17 points) after a big first quarter. Marvilio Berroa added 10 points, including four clutch free throws down the stretch. Turnage credited the defense of guards Jose Ayala (four assists) and Francisco Infante, forcing Dixie Heights (5-4) point guard Jordan Fox (12 points) into seven turnovers when he decided to go man-to-man.
“I like how they responded,” Turnage said. “This team has a lot of heart and grit. One thing I can say about them, they’re not gonna lay down.”
Turnage was thrilled to move on. The last time he entered Wings into the tournament, they lost on the first day. Holy Cross coach Paul Gilvary, who Turnage coached with for several years, has a saying about trying to stay away from the “Meatball Matinee” in such tournaments — the first game in the loser’s bracket.
“I didn’t want to repeat that,” Jenkins said.
He made sure history didn’t repeat itself, and as a result, it gets a shot at Christ the King, the two-time defending CHSAA Class AA city champion many think could be the best team in the state.
“That’s another test for my guys to see where they’re at,” Turnage said.