High School Basketball

There have been times in LeBron James' legendary career when he needed his teammates to pick up the slack to earn a victory.

Tuesday brought one of those games for his son, Bronny.

Bronny James and the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers improved to 12-1 on the season with a narrow 51-48 win over Pembroke Pines in Tuesday's semifinals of the 'Iolani Classic in Hawai'i. James scored just one point, but Ramel Lloyd Jr. led the way with 23 in an impressive effort.

He also turned in the biggest highlight of the game with a key dunk:

Mike Price provided the secondary scoring with 12 points.

Bronny James and Sierra Canyon continued to cruise in the 'Iolani Classic with a 66-49 win over hosts 'Iolani.

James, the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, scored only four points, but he still showcased his skill set as a passer and finisher around the rim.

His strength allowed the guard to finish through contact (0:48):

It's part of the reason the 4-star player is considered the No. 38 prospect in the 2023 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Foul trouble was still an issue for James, forcing Ramel Lloyd (20 points) and Kijani Wright (14 points) to step up for Sierra Canyon.

'Iolani surprisingly kept pace with the California powerhouse in the first half, earning a 31-29 halftime lead. Freshman JJ Mandaquit scored 18 points to lead the Hawaiian squad.

Sierra Canyon was simply too much to overcome while pulling away in the third and fourth quarters.

The path to a championship will continue on Tuesday in the 'Iolani Classic semifinals against Pembroke Pines (Florida).

Bronny James traveled to Hawaii and put on a shooting exhibition.

The son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James helped lead Sierra Canyon to a 63-39 win over Punahou in Saturday's opening round of the 'Iolani Classic. The Trailblazers are now 10-1 overall and 1-0 in Gold Coast play.

James finished with 14 points, 12 of which came via three-pointers.

While Sierra Canyon head coach Andre Chevalier said the son of NBA royalty "plays hard every night, and he's only going to get better," he wasn't exactly pleased with his team's overall play.

"There's no excuses," he said, per Paul Honda of Hawaii Prep World. "We have to be better. We came over here to compete and give everybody our best effort, and we didn’t do that today. We might have had decent ball movement. We didn't finish shots today. We didn't come out ready to play. I think they're excited about being in Hawaii and did not come ready to play."

There is apparently room for improvement even in a blowout win.

Owsley County (Kentucky) sheriff Brent Lynch was arrested on suspicion of assault on Thursday after allegedly striking a player at a girls basketball game. 

Per TMZ Sports, Lynch, who coaches a girls basketball team in Owsley County, is accused of hitting a girl in the face after running onto the court during a game on Dec. 3 in Perry County, Kentucky, when both teams got into a physical altercation. 

A video included in TMZ's report showed the skirmish began when two players went to the floor attempting to take possession of a loose ball. Lynch is among several adults who intervened, running in from the other end of the court, but it's unclear from the footage what happened when he got into the swarm of bodies. 

According to TMZ, Lynch was formally charged with fourth-degree assault and faces up to one year in jail and a fine if he is convicted. 

Jonathan Jett, Perry County Schools superintendent, issued a statement to NBC 10 News in Lexington about the situation:

On Friday, December 3, 2021 there was an altercation between the Perry Central Lady Commodores and the Owsley County Lady Owls basketball teams. The teams were separated immediately and one player from each team was ejected from the contest by the KHSAA basketball officials working the game. It is my understanding that there has since been an investigation opened by the Kentucky State Police related to the incident. Out of respect for the Kentucky State Police and their investigation, I have no further comment at this time.

Dr. Tim Bobrowski, Owsley County School District superintendent, told NBC 10 that Lynch has been suspended for one game amid the investigation and they are "fully complying" with recommendations by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. 

The Owsley County sheriff's department arrested Lynch on Thursday. TMZ noted he is currently in Three Forks Regional Jail. 

There were plenty of full-circle moments for the James Family when Bronny led Sierra Canyon to a 71-53 victory over St. Vincent-St. Mary on Saturday.

He just so happened to be playing against his father's alma mater at Staples Center, where his father is leading the Los Angeles Lakers on their championship pursuit. Bronny also revealed what LeBron James told him after the game.

"It felt special playing on the same court as he's played," Bronny said, per Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. "I'm getting a lot of confidence from that, and it was a really special game for me. Afterwards, he just said he liked everything I was doing, with my poise and my pace for the game."

Playing well against his father's alma mater is nothing new for Bronny.

He is now 2-0 against St. Vincent-St. Mary after notching a clutch steal and layup in crunch time of a 59-56 win in Columbus, Ohio, two years ago as a freshman. This year's rematch drew plenty of star power, with James, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Floyd Mayweather, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo and Jamie Foxx among those in attendance.

They were treated to 19 points from the young James, who has assumed more offensive responsibility this season with B.J. Boston and Ziaire Williams off to the NBA.

James was one of four Trailblazers to finish in double figures alongside Shy Odom, Ramel Lloyd and Kijani Wright. It was an impressive team performance even with star player Amari Bailey sidelined by an ankle injury.

Bailey is part of UCLA's 2022 recruiting class and is a 5-star prospect and the No. 2 overall player in his class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

"Bronny has, over the last couple of weeks, taken great strides and for him to show his ability, his confidence, his poise in a game like this was amazing," Sierra Canyon head coach Andre Chevalier said. "With someone like Amari [Bailey] being out, Bronny has stepped up and showed his leadership on the court."

As for James, he will attempt to follow his son's winning ways at Staples Center on Tuesday when the Lakers host the Boston Celtics.             

Carlisle High School basketball player Carter Prenosil was arrested Wednesday in Iowa and charged with a felony count of willful injury—causing serious injury after allegedly punching an opponent from Nevada High School during the postgame handshake line Tuesday night.

TMZ Sports reported Thursday that Prenosil's first court date in the case is scheduled for Dec. 13. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.

Court documents state Prenosil threw an "unwarranted punch" toward the Nevada player, Ty Dittmer, who suffered a concussion and required four stitches because of a cut on his mouth, per TMZ.

Carlisle student JayJay Noring, who attended the game, told KCCI the players had "traded insults" during the contest.

"He said something during the game that Carter didn't like so at the end, Carter went up and finished it. Which was a little way too beyond if you ask me. He didn't have to go that far," Noring said.

The superintendents from both school districts released statements to KCCI.

"This is without question an unfortunate incident that is not representative of the school culture that exists in Carlisle Community School District," Carlisle's Bryce Amos said. "I want to make it clear that this type of conduct is not tolerated at Carlisle CSD."

Nevada's Dr. Steve Gray added: "It was a very unfortunate and disturbing situation. Fortunately, it sounds like our student-athlete is going to be alright. I'm very appreciative of the response of our coaches and players, as well as the Carlisle administration, for quickly de-escalating the situation."

The Iowa High School Athletic Association is also investigating the matter.

Both teams are still tentatively scheduled to continue their 2021-22 seasons Friday night. Carlisle is set to visit North Polk High School, while Nevada is slated for a road game against PCM High School.

A high school basketball player in Iowa is under investigation after he punched an opposing player during the postgame handshake line.

Video shows a player rearing back and punching the opposing player in the stomach and then the face. The player who was punched staggers to the ground, while the one who did the punching is wrestled down by another member of the opposing team (warning: video contains violent content):

TMZ Sports noted the player who threw the punches plays for Carlisle High School, which lost by 25 points to Nevada High School in Tuesday's game.

"It's a very unfortunate situation," Nevada superintendent Dr. Steve Gray said, per TMZ Sports. "I'm happy they deescalated it. I thought our coaches and staff handled it well and got everyone out of there without it worsening."

Gray also said the player who was punched is feeling okay.

The Carlisle Police Department said it is investigating the situation. The player who threw the punch has not been arrested.        

The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association has launched an investigation into an allegation that a referee directed a racial slur at a 14-year-old STEM Academy girls basketball player during a game at Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Tennessee, on Wednesday night.

According to Cecil Joyce of the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal, TSSAA Executive Director Bernard Childress said the investigation is in its "very early" stages and is dealing with conflicting reports.

Childress noted that it isn't yet clear if it was a referee or another player who used the racial slur during the game.

After the game, STEM Academy chief executive officer Kristin McGraner wrote in a letter to the TSSAA that a "white male referee approached the 14-year-old Black female player in an aggressive manner and called her the N-word."

Despite the allegations, Joyce noted that the TSSAA reprimanded STEM Academy in three separate letters. The letters detailed a STEM fan being ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, two STEM players getting ejected and the STEM coach forfeiting the game and removing the team from the court.

One of the letters noted that the coach will be fined $500 for the forfeiture. The game was not completed and the scheduled boys game was not played afterward.

McGraner responded with a letter to the TSSAA, writing:

TSSAA chose to issue three letters of reprimand, financial and participation penalty against the players, and a parent who were dehumanized by the official's action. STEM Prep subsequently called the TSSAA office and Assistant Director Gene Menees directly to discuss this matter. No call has been returned. We demand that swift and decisive action be taken.

McGraner also alleged that the organization is responsible for "systematic racism" and asked for it to review "official screening and hiring practices, the code of conduct governing the behavior of all employees and contracted officials."

Prized basketball prospect Mikey Williams signed a multiyear endorsement contract with Puma on Thursday that will include future campaigns and product launches.

Williams, a 5-star prospect in the 2023 college basketball recruiting class, is one of the most well-known high school athletes in the country with over 3.3 million followers on Instagram.

"I am excited to join the Puma family this early in my basketball journey," Williams said in a press release. "Puma really understands how to mix hoops and culture, two things I am passionate about."

The 17-year-old guard, who plays for Vertical Academy in North Carolina, becomes the youngest member of a Puma Hoops roster that also features NBA stars LaMelo Ball, Deandre Ayton and RJ Barrett and WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Katie Lou Samuelson, among others.

"Mikey joining our Puma family is exciting news for our brand," Adam Petrick, the company's global director of brand and marketing, said. “His talent on the court and his ability to connect with young athletes and fans alike, will help drive hoops culture forward and inspire the next generation of athletes. He has a bright future ahead of him and we are proud to be a part of his journey."

Williams' first involvement will come as part of Puma's "Not Yet Rated" campaign looking at athletes on the rise who can "help inspire the next generation of youth athletes in a disruptive and unexpected way" through the use of social content.

Rumors about his endorsement deal with Puma emerged in September, when Shams Charania of The Athletic reported the sides were "close" to an agreement on a deal that would capitalize on the new name, image and likeness rights granted to student-athletes.

Most importantly, the new NIL laws ensure Williams will remain eligible to play college basketball if he chooses that route in 2023. He could also opt for a professional path during the gap year before he becomes eligible for the 2024 NBA draft.

An endorsement contract would have previously left an athlete in danger of being declared ineligible by the NCAA. It could still create a conflict if he joins a school with a pre-existing deal with another brand, though:

Williams' deal with Puma includes his use of the company's shoes, including the Court Rider, while he finishes his high school playing career.

Mikey Williams, a 5-star prospect in the 2023 college basketball recruiting class, is reportedly "close" to an endorsement contract with Puma.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Tuesday that Williams, who's the 10th-ranked recruit in 247Sports' composite rankings for 2023, is using the NCAA's new name, image and likeness (NIL) rules to secure the deal while still in high school.

Williams built strong name recognition before the NIL standards began changing over the summer—a process jump-started by the Supreme Court's ruling in June that barred the NCAA from limiting education-related benefits to student-athletes—by growing a massive following on social media, including 3.2 million followers on Instagram.

Although most of the focus has been on NIL deals signed by current college players, the rules have also benefited high school athletes, who no longer face to prospect of being declared ineligible for college sports because of previous NIL earnings.

Williams plays for Virtual Academy in North Carolina, while continuing to attend Lake Norman Christian School, where he previously played, for select classes.

No clear leader has emerged among the colleges that have offered him a scholarship. It's a group that includes Kansas, LSU, Memphis, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas Tech and USC, per 247Sports.

Williams is also a candidate to opt to take the professional route for the gap year between high school and the NBA. He can play a season either overseas or in the new Overtime Elite league, or take part in the G League's development program ahead of the 2024 NBA draft.

Mahlon Williams, Mikey's father, told ESPN's T.J. Quinn in June they planned to take a "wait and see" approach to see how OTE grew as an alternative to college basketball.

"This time next year, we might be talking differently," he said. "It might have the type of credibility and coaching and development where you have to think about it."

As a top-tier prospect with a major online following, Williams should generate enough off-court earnings to take the route he feels most comfortable with before his likely NBA arrival in 2024.

Terms of the reported Puma deal weren't immediately released.