Newman makes a return from last year’s tournament while Imhotep is considered one of the better teams in the country. It will be interesting to see how Newman’s young group handles an experienced team such as Imhotep.
Newman struck first with a driving score from 6’4 senior Chris Lockett. Justin Edwards, a 6’7 senior and Kentucky signee, answered quickly with a floater in the lane. The teams traded buckets and with just under six minutes to go the score was tied at 4-4. That’s when Imhotep took over. It scored six straight points to grow its lead and after a three by Newman made the score 13-7, Edwards converted a three- point play to give Imhotep a nine-point 16-7 advantage. Newman’s 6’7 junior Todd Jones scored inside but Imhotep hit consecutive threes to end the first quarter up 24-9.
Five straight points by Imhotep pushed their advantage to 29-9 with less than a minute gone by in the second quarter. Newman responded with five straight points but Imhotep scored a quick three to make it 33-14 with 4:32 left in the half. The teams would play evenly the rest of the quarter and at the break, Imhotep was up 41-23.
Truth be told, Newman never really threatened in the second half. The closest they got was at the end of the third quarter, 56-40. Imhotep steadily grew its lead in the final stanza to win comfortably 73-49.
For Imhotep, Edwards led the way with 25 points while 6’0 senior Rahmir Barno added 15 and 6’2 junior Ahmad Nowell tallied 10 points.
For Newman, Lockett scored 14 points while Jones added 13 points and 6’1 senior Canin Jefferson added 12 points.