Joson Sanon’s 43 points lifts BABC team at Boston Shootout
QUINCY — It may be a challenge in a basketball game when you only have five available players.
But when one of those players is the caliber of Joson Sanon, you’re in pretty good shape.
The Fall River native scored 43 points in spectacular fashion to lead the BABC 17-and-under team to a 101-92 victory over the New Haven Heat in the Boston Shootout.
The BABC 16-and-under team also won in the game right after, 79-53, also over the New Haven Heat.
But it was Sanon who electrified the onlookers. He made five 3-pointers, and his left-handed, rim-rocking dunk in the second half was as good as you will see at any level.
“I always dunk with my left,” said Sanon, who prepped at Vermont Academy and will play at Arizona State next year. “I saw (the defender) coming up. At the beginning of the game, I had the chance to dunk with my left hand (but didn’t).”
Sanon was not concerned with the lack of bodies.
“I always play the whole game,” Sanon saidl. “That’s normal.”
But Sanon’s talent is not normal. BABC owner Leo Papile thinks Sanon is a lottery pick, and the 6-foot-6 wing will likely be a one-and-done at Arizona State.
“He’s built to play this game a long time,” Papile said of Sanon. “He’s 6-5. He’s athletic. He’s strong. One thing is we’ve had him here since his freshman year, is he can really shoot the ball. Today was not a great shooting game. He’s been 40 percent (from three) for us all season, which is a very high level in our league. A lot of people don’t know, because we talk about the mysterious NEPSAC guys. I wish more people could have saw him. He’s pretty good.”
He is, for sure. Oswin Erhunmwunse, who is going to Providence from Putnam Science Academy, scored 17 points, and Ben Ahmed added 20.
But BABC was playing with heavy hearts. One week ago, Rashawn Tibby’s father died in an automobile accident. He played on Fathet’s Day, and buried a clutch 3-pointer in the final moments.
“He’s our MVP, in my opinion, just for being here,” Papile said.
With the game still undecided, Sanon took over in the final minutes. BABC led, 82-79, and Sanon scored 12 points down the stretch to seal it. His dunk was elite, as he soared over a New Haven player and flushed it with authority. He also buried a triple.
In the 16s game right after, BABC pulled away in the second half. Alex Egbuonu of Lawrence Academy at 6-6 was a tough matchup for New Haven. He shot well from the outside and also played tough in the post. He finished with 24 points.
“Yeah, if need be, I can drive in, I can shoot the ball. I try to consider myself a three-level scorer,” Egbuonu said.
Sam Fleming of Wilbraham & Monson had 17 points, and Chase Geremia of Newman School had 16 points.