Oak Hill Academy forward Braxton Key. (Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
Who: No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) vs. No. 6 Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.)
When: 5 p.m. ET, Friday
Where: Christ The King, Middle Village, N.Y.
TV: ESPNU
POLL: Who wins the DICK’S Nationals?
RELATED: Rusty Oak Hill (Va.) moves on to semifinals
RELATED: Sleep-deprived Alterique Gilbert leads Miller Grove (Ga.) semis
About Oak Hill: The Warriors have a handful of players that have signed with high-major programs: 6-7 Marion Kegler (#33 in the ESPN 100) with Mississippi State, 6-7 Braxton Key (#54 in the ESPN 100) with Alabama, 6-11 Rodney Miller with Miami and 6-9 Khadim Sy with Virginia Tech.
Coach Steve Smith opts for a three-guard attack with junior guards Matt Coleman (#21 in the ESPN 60), Ty-Shon Alexander (#44 in the ESPN 60) and Lindell Wigginton (#50 in the ESPN 60), with the long Sy and bouncy Key up front.
About Miller Grove: The early Cinderella story of this year’s tournament, the Wolverines are buoyed by UConn-signee and McDonald’s All-American Alterique Gilbert (#28 in the ESPN 100) and a sensational backcourt. The duo of Gilbert and senior point guard Aaron Augustin — whose game-winning floater earned the Wolverines an upset win over Findlay Prep — have exceptional chemistry. On the wing, 6-3 Aidan Saunders has a solid handle and 6-4 transfer Colin Young is a 3-point specialist. Miller Grove’s 6-3 junior Naquante Hardy contributes as a dependable scorer.
What to expect: In what should be a size vs. speed contest, Oak Hill can overpower and undersized Miller Grove team with its gigantic forwards (three players listed at 6-9 or taller), whereas the Wolverines’ average out around 6-foot-3 across the roster. The Warriors are a battle-tested group in this tournament, and are likely hungry to win it all after back-to-back runner-up finishes.
