In the 2011 Flyin’ to the Hoop finale, Huber Heights Wayne senior Travis Trice Jr. put on a show leading his Warriors to a 74-55 thumping of Chicago’s Whitney Young.
Whitney Young, who has talent on top of talent, won’t want to return to Ohio anytime soon. The Dolphins were destroyed by Dayton Dunbar at the event a year ago and lost later in the season to Akron St.Vincent-St.Mary’s.
The game started out with a lot of energy and certainly plenty of hype, but Wayne managed to seize control taking a 14-12 lead after a quarter of play.
6-foot-6 senior Markus Crider did a nice job of making plays for the Warriors in the 1st half, while Trice was struggling to get shots. Wayne led just 24-21 at the half.
In the 2nd half, for whatever reason, Whitney Young decided to leave its zone defense and switch to a man. Trice took a liking to the new defense.
The senior absolutely went off in the 2nd half eventually finishing his night with 30 points on 7-of-16 shooting including four bonus goals along with a perfect 12-of-12 showing at the line. The Michigan State signee added eight assists and five boards.
Trice used a series of pull up and spot up threes and drive-in baskets en route to his big 2nd half.
He was aided by the Providence verbal, Crider, who accounted for 18 points and eight rebounds.
The two teammates nearly out scored the highly-talented Dolphins on their own.
Ohio State signee Sam Thompson of Whitney Young had a good showing with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting to go with seven rebounds.
Guard Kwai Pearson added 15 counters.
Talented freshman Jahlil Okafor was a non-factor with nary a point and two rebounds.
Interesting to note, freshman Paul White was unable to play due to a concussion and 6-foot-8 junior Jermaine Morgan wasn’t even with the club in Kettering. Point guard Derrick Randolph was also out, but is expected to return in the next week.
Wayne out-scored Whitney Young 50-34 in the 2nd half. The Warriors connected on eight three-point goals, while the Dolphins were unable to make one in nine attempts.
