The high school basketball season is just starting to warm up in the turn of the new year. As teams begin to assert themselves for the stretch run in the regular season, many teams were tested in various tournaments across the Kansas City metro.
The North Kansas City High School Invitational was among one of the best tournaments being played. Rock Bridge (15-0) narrowly defeated Park Hill South 72-71 in overtime of the championship game. Rock Bridge Junior Guard Jamonta Black had 17 points including the game winning free throws after he was fouled while shooting a three pointer.
"They are a competitive team. They come out. they play hard against us," Black said. "It's going to be like that every year. If we play hard against them, it's going to be a fun game to watch."
Park Hill South (12-5) had every opportunity to knockoff the undefeated Bruins. However, they couldn't get it done down the stretch.
Oak Park (13-2) took 3rd place in the NKC Invitational by defeating North Kansas City 63-59 behind 32 points and 8 rebounds from Ochai Agbaji. North Kansas City (16-2) had a very good team effort despite the loss. T.J. Babikir scored his 1,000th point for North Kansas City in the loss. Despite not winning the game, he was certainly proud of the accomplishment.
"It's means a lot. It's a great milestone, a great accomplishment," Babikir said. "It's an accomplishment. It makes me feel good about myself. It makes me feel like I can score."
On the Kansas side, the Blue Valley North Lady Mustangs defeated Lee's Summit North in the title game of the Blue Valley North 2018 KA-MO Classic 65-49. Blue Valley North junior guard Ellie Kuckelman led all scorers with 24 points. Junior guard Chloe Kuckleman chipped in with 14 points. Lee's Summit North's Aniyah Johnson led the Lady Broncos with 19 points. Former Hy-vee 41 Five-Star Athlete of the Week winner Tiana Gipson chipped in with 12 points on the night.
Watch all of the action on the video above.