Tuesday, January 21, 2020
On Friday, Jan. 17 and Saturday, Jan. 18, MPS Athletics continued its tradition of primetime basketball with the sixth annual City Review at Marquette University's Al McGuire Center!
The City Review is now a cornerstone piece of MPS Athletics, as it not only recognizes several of the top teams in the City Conference, but also because it emphasizes the importance of extra-curricular activities for the city, the district, the schools, and the students. Participating in City Review is a highlight for everyone involved - players, coaches, parents, referees, fans, and sponsors - and it is the perfect event to showcase MPS Athletics' role in molding the next generation.
Read our recaps of each game below and see our full photo album here!
Riverside 75, Vincent 36 (Girls)
The Riverside and Vincent girls kicked off The City Review on Friday evening with a frenzied, fast-paced battle, as both backcourts frequently looked to push the ball and beat the defense down the floor. The Vikings (1-11, 0-6 City Conference) kept the game close into the first media timeout, but a late Tigers run to close out the first half, paired with another RUHS flurry after the break, officially put the game out of reach. Arlaysia Braggs finished with a team-high 21 points for Vincent, while Jaiden Claypool (21 points) and Sidney Scruggs (16 points) led the way offensively for Riverside (9-5, 5-1 City Conference). Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Jan. 21 and Tuesday, Jan. 28, as Riverside squares off with Milwaukee School of Languages and Rufus King, the other top contenders for the City Conference-Gold division crown.
Bay View 70, Bradley Tech 60 (Boys)
In what was the most competitive game of the event, Bay View (6-5, 4-0 City Conference) continued their strong start to conference play, holding off a late Bradley Tech push to remain atop the City standings. The Tech Trojans (2-7, 1-2 City Conference) were buoyed by a boisterous fan contingent at the Al McGuire Center, and went back and forth in the first half with the Redcats. Tech, led by 44 combined points from Kenneth Dixon, Ken Norwood, and Learic Davis, mounted one final push to cut its deficit to four with a minute remaining, but Bay View squeaked out a couple late baskets to close out the contest.
Washington 65, Reagan 49 (Girls)
In what was a closer game than the final score suggests, Washington (5-10, 2-3 City Conference) bounced back from a heart-breaking one-point loss against MSL on Wednesday, Jan. 15 to knock off Reagan. Throughout the first half, the score was largely within one-possession, but the Purgolders bookended each period with an extended 18-0 run to take control of the game. Reagan guard Hailey Miranda led all players with 22 points on 9-10 shooting from the free throw line. Eight players tallied at least one point for Washington, highlighted by 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks for Tanya McNeal.
Rufus King 81, Washington 59 (Boys)
Rufus King spoiled the Purgolder party on Saturday evening, using a strong second half to pull away from Washington and dethrone last year's state runners-up. King (11-0, 3-0 City Conference) will be put to the test in the coming weeks, squaring off with Whitefish Bay in a road non-conference game on Tuesday, Jan. 28 before three February conference games against Hamilton, Vincent, and Bay View, the three other currently undefeated programs in the City Conference.
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, and good luck to all eight teams as they head towards the WIAA playoffs!