Kentwood falls to Jefferson of Portland, 42-39 | Prep Boys Basketball

COVINGTON — The big-name players didn't disappoint. And neither did the big-time game.

Terrence Jones led Jefferson of Portland to a 42-39 victory over Joshua Smith's Kentwood team Tuesday night in the nationally televised Old Spice High School Basketball Showcase at Kentwood High School.

Both 6-foot-9 seniors are nationally ranked recruits by ESPNU, with Smith at No. 11 overall and Jones at No. 13. And each showed why in flashes.

With lights glaring and Kentwood fans blaring, Jones put together 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals for the Democrats (14-3, with one loss by forfeit due to weather). Jefferson is the only team to beat Federal Way — rated 24th in the country — this season.

The UCLA-bound Smith, still working to get into shape after missing 10 games with a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee, made his impact on defense with 11 rebounds and nine blocks to go with a team-high nine points.

"We know that Josh is a force inside," Jefferson coach Pat Strickland said, noting fatigue seemed to set in late in the game, which was televised on ESPN2. "He still had some flashes where he was still Big Josh."

Jones, who has yet to make his college choice, called it "an ugly win" but said it was a fun game.

"Playing with the bright lights on, everybody being here, everything was exciting about it," he said.

Kentwood (9-9) trailed 40-39 with 3:26 to play after Mikell Everette scored for Jefferson on a driving layin. But the Conquerors had four costly turnovers down the stretch and Jefferson came up with three clutch offense rebounds to play keep-away.

Kentwood found itself with too many fouls to give and couldn't get the Demos to the line until just 7.8 seconds remained. Jones missed the front end of a one-and-one and Smith grabbed the carom, but the Conquerors lost control at the other end. B.J. Jones sealed the victory with two free throws with 1.4 seconds on the clock.

"We got stop after stop after stop after stop," Smith said. "We just didn't pull it out."

Kentwood led 7-5 late in the first quarter before Jones started a 10-run that carried into the second. It was 17-9 when Kentwood sophomore Skyler Genger got involved and hit three consecutive jumpers that cut the gap to 19-15. A pair of baskets by Jones made it 23-15 before Kentwood's Tre Tyler connected on a three-pointer and the Conquerors were down just 23-18 at the half.

Jones had 15 at that point and was held to just five the rest of the way. The game was tied at 32 heading into the final quarter. Alec Wilson gave the Conquerors their final lead with a three-pointer to start the fourth.