ROUNDUP: Battle, Brown star for Agassi

As he watched his team in practice this week, DeShawn Battle figured Agassi Prep could have a potent inside-outside combination.

On Saturday night, the senior swingman got every indication he was correct.

Battle scored a game-high 28 points, sophomore power forward Quincy Brown added 26, and the Stars opened the season with a 73-68 road win over Henderson International.

“He works the inside,” Battle said of Brown. “When that’s not working, we go outside. And if that’s not working, we go to the pick and roll, and we can definitely get something out of that.”

It was just about all working for Agassi Prep, which led by double digits most of the second half before the Wolverines rallied with a 29-point fourth quarter.

Brown, who had 12 rebounds, came up with all 11 of his field goals in the paint.

“Quincy Brown’s a real force under the basket,” first-year Agassi Prep coach David Claerbaut said. “DeShawn’s very tough on the wing. But one of the keys to our game is Aerontay Shepherd, the point guard, who really is a quarterback out there.”

Shepherd dished out seven of his eight assists in the first half, which the Stars closed leading 35-20.

“I thought that the (Agassi Prep) guards killed us more than anything because we didn’t stop dribble penetration,” Henderson International coach Greg Stephens said.

Senior forward Josh Young scored 23 points to lead the Wolverines, who got 18 points from Clay Tormey and 17 from Rhys Appleby.

Agassi Prep returns all five starters from last season, when it went 15-4 but was ineligible for the playoffs as a first-year independent.

Now, the Stars believe they are ready to make a run at the Class 2A postseason.

“They’re absolutely excited,” Claerbaut said. “They understand what’s at stake. They know the season doesn’t have to end Feb. 14.”

Findlay Prep 96, Centennial 35 — At Henderson International, Victor Rudd had 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Pilots over the Bulldogs.

Godwin Okonji added 10 points and eight rebounds, and teammate Avery Bradley scored 13 for Findlay.

Ben Vozzola led Centennial with nine points.