HOLIDAY HOOPS: Mentor and Jackson meet in San Diego?

In the Surf N’ Slam Classic, Mentor overcame a 25-7 first quarter deficit to defeat Massillon Jackson nearly 2,400 miles away from home.

Mentor also had to rise above better than 50% shooting from Jackson and being outrebounded 43-21.

However, the Cardinals (7-0) outscored the Polar Bears 45-20 over the next two quarters to take a 52-45 advantage at the end of three.

Mentor stretched its lead to 66-54 before Jackson (6-1) roared back only to fall short, 70-67.

The Cardinals were led by senior Jaron Crowe who scored 25 points including five triples, while junior Cole Krizancic notched 21 points and sophomore Justin Fritts added 10 counters.

Mentor knocked down 13 triples including an astounding 38 bonus balls in the three games.

Kent State signee Mark Henniger led Jackson with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Akron signee Josh Egner and junior guard Michael Shull evenly divided 28 markers. Wheeling Jesuit signee Brad Dupont added 11 counters.

Cincinnati Woodward (7-1) captured the Gaslight Tournament in Louisville (KY) with a 53-50 triumph of previously unbeaten Jeffersontown (KY).

The Bulldogs were led once again by seniors Mervin Taylor with 15 points and Jeremiah Chancellor adding 14 markers.

Woodward is playing extremely well with two talented freshmen logging a plethora of minutes in Austin Grimes and Eric Trent Donald.

Cincinnati Moeller (7-1) fell in the championship game at the St. Pius X Tournament in Atlanta (GA) to very good Brother Martin (LA).

Moeller, who led most of the way, looked to have run out of gas in the 53-49 overtime loss.

It seemed as if Big ‘Moe had the game right where it wanted it in a low scoring, grind-it-out GCL South-type encounter. The Crusaders, who missed plenty of shots and free-throws, still found a way to lead almost the entire game by using its refuse-to-lose mentality.

It appeared Moeller was going to hang on, but Brother Martin finished with a late furry led by Pat Swilling Jr. to send the game to OT. Swilling, who finished with a game-high 23 points, is the son of former NFL linebacker Pat Swilling.

Xavier signee Griffin McKenzie did play and finished with eight points, but it was clear he wasn’t 100%.

Junior guard Charlie Byers led Moeller with a team-high 12 points and fellow classmate Shaquille Jinks tallied 10 lightings.

North Canton Hoover (7-0) finished 2-0 in the Motor City Classic in Beverly Hills (MI) by defeating Mattawan (MI), 88-34.

Junior point guard Nyles Evans led the way for the Vikings with a game-high 25 points in just over 15 minutes of play. Senior Cory Veldhuizen scored 15 points and Dan Daugherty added 12 counters.

Evans scored 55 points in the two games.