Junior
Michael Grant powered the Ranger lineup with a 24-point performance, while a returning
Caleb Steger provided an additional surge for Jesuit Dallas in a 73-53 win over Regis (N.Y.) in the first round of the Cookie Garcia Jesuit Invitational, held on Wednesday night in Tampa, Florida.
Grant hit 11-of-13 shots to close out the bout with 24 points, adding a team-high eight rebounds and four assists. Steger racked up 13 points on the night, as senior
Justin Kemp picked up 11 additional points for the Blue and Gold, hitting a trio of shots from three-point range. Jesuit's scoring lineup was completed by six points apiece from junior
Ethan Mahowald and senior
Alec Piotrowski, five points from senior
Hank Gramlich, four points from junior
Kevin Butera, three points from sophomore
Cade Kirby and a converted free throw by sophomore
William Alexander.
Alexander would secure six rebounds in his varsity debut, and Gramlich led the team with five assists. Kemp and Piotrowski each secured a pair of steals as Jesuit finished the contest shooting 68 percent from the field (17-of-25), hit 11 three-pointers, and out-rebounded Regis, 37-30.
Jesuit will advance to take on host Tampa Jesuit in the tournament semifinals on Thursday evening. Tip-off is set for 6:45 p.m. CT (7:45 p.m. ET), and will be broadcast live by Tampa Jesuit. The winner of Thursday's match-up will meet either St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) or St. Ignatius (Ohio) in the tournament final on Friday.
