PORTLAND - In the final game of the PIL Showcase on the campus of Franklin High School, Jefferson rallied from a first-half deficit to defeat Grant, 61-50, in a matchup of 6A powers in front of an overflow crowd estimated at over 2,400 fans.
Jefferson (8-2) overcome a 28-23 halftime deficit with a big third quarter to take over the game, led by 6-foot-7 junior forward Nate Rawlins-Kibonge, who finished the night with 17 points, 14 rebounds and a pair of assists.
Grant (8-5) got off to a quick start behind senior Emanuel Steward, who scored eight points in the first eight minutes, as the Generals jumped out to an 18-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Grant continued to hold off the Demos as Erik Fraser scored off an assist from Tai Warner to give the Generals a 28-23 edge at halftime.
Led by MarQuis "Mookie" Cook, one of the most highly rated freshmen in the country, the Demos stormed back in the third quarter. A 21-point fourth quarter enabled Jefferson to pull away as Rawlins-Kibonge, a two-sport standout and 4.0 student, and 6-9 center Kamron Robinson were instrumental in the comeback. Cook finished tied with Rawlins-Kibonge for the team lead in points with 17, while Keshawn Hall added 13 points for Jefferson.
Warner ended up leading Grant with 14, while Steward finished the night with 12 points and Adrian Mosely had 10 points for the Generals.
The two teams meet again on January 31 at Jefferson.
