Oak Hill Controls Mater Dei

Seven-foot center DeSagana Diop isn’t the only Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy player who appears ready for the NBA.

Might as well make room for shooting guard Rashaad Carruth too.

The Warriors, led by Diop’s inside presence and Carruth’s three-point shooting, made previously unbeaten Mater Dei look very average Thursday night as they defeated the Monarchs, 66-55, to win the Millennium Cup division of the Holiday Prep Classic.

The matchup between Oak Hill, the nation’s top-ranked team according to USA Today, and No. 3 Mater Dei was expected to be much closer. But the Monarchs (9-1) were too tentative and the Warriors (13-0) possessed too many weapons, especially Carruth, who made five of his seven three-pointers in the second half.

“Every time we made a little run, he answered with a big three,” said Mater Dei guard Cedric Bozeman, who led the Monarchs with 20 points on eight-of-24 shooting.

Shooting wasn’t a problem for the Kentucky-bound Carruth. The senior, who last season made eight three-pointers in a game, said he’s used to big-time performances.

“But I think this is the one I’m going to remember the most,” said Carruth, who finished with a game-high 25 points and was selected the tournament MVP. “This is a big confidence booster for us.”

The Monarchs will remember the game for their poor shooting--they shot 31.4% from the floor in the second half and 33.8% for the game--and inability to find a rhythm.

“We were too pumped up and we rushed too much and got out of our game,” said Mater Dei guard Ricky Porter, who made five of 14 shots. “They’re a good team, but I think we could have given them a much better game.”

Oak Hill took a 6-0 lead and never trailed as the Monarchs were scoreless on their first four possessions. Mater Dei was hesitant on offense, passing up a number of good looks at the basket as it moved the ball around the perimeter.

Center Jamal Sampson neutralized Diop (four points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks) for most of the game, but he took only seven shots and failed to provide the offensive force the Monarchs needed. Sampson finished with eight points and 11 rebounds.

“Jamal needs to be more offensive-minded,” said Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight. “I’d rather see him put up a jump shot or a turnaround than kick it back out.”

The Monarchs, who trailed, 33-25, at halftime, opened the second half with consecutive baskets by Sampson and Bozeman to trim their deficit to four points.

But that’s when Carruth started his barrage of three-pointers.

“Our game plan was not to let him get the ball,” McKnight said, “and we didn’t do a good job of it.”

As for the Monarchs, they need to do a little regrouping before starting play next week at another prestigious tournament, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Despite winning its first three games of the Holiday Prep Classic with ease, Mater Dei didn’t play like Mater Dei when it mattered most.