Tip-Off Classic Day 2: Samuels, St. Ben's Rolling

Playing in their first game since stunning Oak Hill Academy, the No. 1 team in the nation, St. Benedict's of Newark routed Bloomfield, 83-28, in the Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic Sunday at Seton Hall.

Louisville-bound forward Samardo Samuels was named MVP after scoring a game-high 26 points on a variety of dunks and post moves and grabbing 6 boards.

Because St. Benedict's is not a member of the New Jersey state athletic association, the team is playing for a mythical national championship. Last year, it missed out by losing one game, to New Jersey rival St. Patrick.

"That's our main goal, that's what we're playing for, to win a national championship," Samuels said.

St. Ben's, No. 3 in the ZAGSBLOG Top 10, is now 5-0.

Junior forward Greg Echenique had 13 points and 6 rebounds with several coaches watching, including Villanova's Jay Wright, West Virginia's Bob Huggins, St. Joe's Phil Martelli and Penn's Glen Miller.

6-8 sophomore Tristan Thompson had 4 boards and 11 points on a series of dunks and athletic forays to the basket. Tamir Jackson, who poured in a game-high 29 points in St. Ben's 68-62 upset of Oak Hill on ESPN on Thursday, had 7 points.

Echenique said he improves every day in practice by playing with and against Samuels.

"Sometimes when the prep team is away, it's only us and I go against him," Echenique said. "So that really helps me a lot. I don't know what I'm going to do next year when he leaves."

Villanova's Wright and Penn's Miller and assistant Mike Martin are here for Echenique, who said he also hopes to visit Miami this week when the team travels to Florida.

"I want to make that call today to (associate) coach (Jorge Fernandez) and see if I can go because we don't have a game on Wednesday," Echenique said.

St. Joe's Martelli has offered a scholarship to Linden junior big man David Bruce, whose team is now playing St. Joseph. Huggins is here for West Virginia-bound G Darryl "Truck" Bryant of St. Ray's, which plays Paterson Catholic next.

Jackson picked up an offer from Houston after the ESPN game, and his father said Clemson, South Carolina, Miami, Virginia Tech and Alabama-Birmingham have offered and Memphis, Kentucky and Boston College are also interested.

St. Ben's has a home game Monday against White Rock Christian of Canada and then travels to Fort Meyers, Fla., for the City of Palms Classic, where Coach K is expected to watch Echenique.

"That should be a good tournament," Samuels said.

Speaking of Oak Hill, UNC-bound big man Ed Davis hit them with 25 points Saturday night as Benedictine handed the Warriors their second straight loss, 72-69, despite 40 from Arizona commit Brandon Jennings.

"Ed Davis called me up," Samuels said.

LINDEN 51, ST. JOSEPH 49

Houston-bound guard Desmond Wade had 14 points, including the 1,000th of his career, and 7 assists and 6-9 junior David Bruce had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers, No. 4 in the ZAGSBLOG Top 10. St. Joe's coach Phil Martelli, who has offered Bruce a scholarship, was on hand.

Wade's 1,000th point came via a free throw in the fourth quarter to put Linden up 38-32.

With the win, Linden rebounded from a 70-66  overtime loss Friday to Plainfield, No. 10 in the ZAGSBLOG Top 10.

6-2 senior Hakeem Williams led St. Joe's with 21 points and Marvin Fulford added 10 points and 6 boards.

St. Joe's takes on Elvin Morales and Passaic on Thursday in what should be an interesting game.