The success of the New Heights 17U team this summer has never about one player or superstars of any kind. This week at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas was no different as the club reached its second straight major tournament’s televised final.
“We are going up against the best of the best,” New Heights coach Jerel Cokley said. “Every game is against kids committed to the Big East, ACC, to the Big 12, to the Pac 12. For our kids to step up and embrace that challenge every single time and now have those high caliber guys shows you what we are really made of.”
His team made it through grueling quarterfinal and semifinal wins over the Eric Gordon All Stars (Ind.) and the Mass Rivals (Mass.) to reach the title game of the Adidas Super 64 Sunday against the Michigan Mustangs, which was televised live on the CBS Sports Network. New Heights ultimately fell, 84-71, but the showing was a fantastic end to the July live recruiting period for a group that also made the final of the Adidas Invitational in Indianapolis earlier this month.
“Just like Indianapolis, every game that we had in Vegas it was someone different who stepped up to get us over the hunp and carry us offensively,” said Cokley, an assistant at Christ the King.
Against the Eric Gordon All Stars, it was Christ the King point guard Malik Harmon stepping in for Tyler Wilson, who also missed the finals with an eye injury. Stepinac’s Josh James scored over 20 points and Pathways’ Jordan Washington was a “beast” in the paint.
It didn’t get easier in the semifinals as the Mass Rivals led big at the half. New Heights buckled down defensively, especially Curtis forward Hassan Martin, the team’s most highly recruited player, and George Mason-bound Jalen Jenkins on top-ranked 2014 prospect Noah Vonleh. Mass Rivals scored just 13 second-half points and New Heights rode Washington to victory.
“He willed us to win that game,” Cokley said.
The defense didn’t carry over into the title game as New Heights fell behind again and couldn’t contain the Division I-bound backcourt of Monte Morris (Iowa State) and MVP Derrick Walton (Michigan), who had 16 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. New Heights pulled as close as four on multiple occasions and were within two at one point after falling behind by 16, but the Mustangs made free throws down the stretch and they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
Washington led New Heights with 14 points and 11 rebounds and Jenkins added 10 points and 14 boards. James and Jenkins were named to the all-tournament team.
“Hats off to them, but I’m still proud of my guys,” Cokley said. “They will always be champions.”