“The Assassin” Blasts 29 but Travelers Fall in Overtime

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Augusta, Georgia was a happening place this past week. Three events covered the landscape and I did my best to see as many of the Tennessee squads as I could one way or another.

The Nike Youth Invitational was a viable alternative to the Peach Jam featuring the remaining teams from the EYBL in a quality tournament.

"The Assassin" Brock Rowan (Stone Memorial) busted loose for 29 markers but the Tennessee Travelers came up short 84-77 in overtime in the Final 8 of the NYI at Augusta State.

Rowan knocked down eight longballs and was joined in the scoring column by Justin Johnson (Kentucky) with 15 points, Burton "Big Money" Sampson (Knoxville Webb) with 12 and Jack Whitman (Kentucky) added 10 in the overtime defeat.

A great game with Rowan always keeping the Travelers one step ahead was tied at 68 with 26 ticks remaining on the clock. The Travelers got the look they wanted but couldn't get the finish and were forced into overtime where the lack of depth essentially caught up with them.

Miles Rice (Kentucky) was solid running the point and generally guarding the top scoring threat from the other team on defense.

Rob Marberry (FRA) was big on the glass and did a lot of the small things to help the Travelers make it to the Elite Eight of this nice new event. Look for more scoring next season from the rising junior from Nashville.

Alex "The Franchise" Fountain (Wartburg Central) provided quality minutes off the bench for the Travelers.