DRAFFENVILLE - After watching our own Lady Marshals and Marshals play the first two games of Friday's opening session of the 2012 Hoopfest, basketball fans settled into their seats in the filled-to-capacity Reed Conder Gymnasium with their barbecue nachos and Happy Cow ice cream ready to watch the number one high school team in the nation.

The Huntington Prep Express tipped off against Memphis East following a rousing reception during player introductions for Huntington Prep's Andrew Wiggins (22) who UK fans hope to see in the royal blue and white colors next season.
Throughout the game, chants of "Go Big Blue" spontaneouly erupted hoping the encouragment for Wiggins could possibly help sway him in the Wildcat direction.
Loaded with senior talent, Huntington Prep has four committed seniors starting with 6'10" forward Dominic Woodson (12) who has signed to play for Baylor, 6'1" guard Travon Landry (3) who will play for the University of Tennessee, 6'9" Moses Kingsley (33) who has signed with the University of Arkansas and 6'4" Xavier Rathan-Mayes (11) who is following in his father's footsteps to Florida State.
Memphis East, the Class 3A State Champions last season, had the tall task of trying to slow down the Express but were no match despite a hot start from University of Memphis bound 6'7" Nick King (5) who scored 18 points for Memphis East in their 76-59 loss. Fellow senior Matthew Butler led Memphis East with 21 points, dropping in four three's and coming up with three steals.
Wiggins did not disappoint with his 29 point performance, pulling in 17 rebounds and blocking five shots, not to mention his high-flying dunks displaying the athleticism of the 17 year old sensation.
The two teams were tied 22-22 at the end of the first quarter but the Express began to roll out-scoring Memphis 35 to 15 in the next two quarters of play.
SCORING
Huntington Prep- Field Goals 28/54, 3 Point Shots 5/12, Free Throws 15/19, Total Rebounds 38, Fouls 11, Assists 8, Turnovers 10, Blocked Shots 9, Steals 3
Memphis East- Field Goals 21/54, 3 Point Shots 9/18, Free Throws 8/12, Total Rebounds 24, Fouls 20, Assists 7, Turnovers 8, Steals 4
Huntington Prep- Wiggins 29, Kingsley 19, Gill-Caesar 11, Rathan-Mayes 9, Landry 4, Woodson 2, Gabriel 2
Memphis East- Butler 21, King 18, Lee 12, Thompson 4, Robinson 4
MVP- Andrew Wiggins

Huntington Prep played Briarcrest Christian, another Memphis team, in the final game on Saturday of the 17th Annual Marshall County Hoopfest, who also fell to the Express 74-40 despite the efforts of University of Memphis bound 6'9" Austin Nichols (44) who scored 17 points in the game.
Once again led by Wiggins who scored 25 points, Huntington Prep held the Saints to single digits in each of the first three quarters of the game. Wiggins hit 3 of 5 attempts from 3-point range and was nearly perfect at the free throw line hitting 8 of 9 attempts.
Huntington Prep also controlled the boards out-rebounding Briarcrest 30 to 15.
Feeling the Kentucky love following the closing game of the 2012 Hoopfest, Wiggins sat in a front row chair seat signing autographs and posing for pictures for nearly 45 minutes.
SCORING
Huntington Prep- Field Goals 26/52, 3 Point Shots 7/22, Free Throws 15/18, Total Rebounds 42, Fouls 14, Assists 7, Turnovers 14, Blocked Shots 4, Steals 8
Briarcrest- Field Goals 14/49, 3 Point Shots 4/17, Free Throws 8/11, Total Rebounds 23, Fouls 13, Assists 5, Turnovers 13, Steals 6
Huntington Prep- Wiggins 25, Gill-Caesar 15, Rathan-Mayes 8, Strake 8, Woodson 6, Landry 4, Provo 3, Kingsley 3, Arroyo 2
Briarcrest- Nichols 17, Adams 6, Hodges 5, Carter 5, Pike 3, Clark 2, Woodard 2
MVP- Andrew Wiggins

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