2025 PIT Day 1 Recap
By Abigail Weiss
PORTSMOUTH, Va:- The 71st Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament completes day one, featuring some of the top NBA prospects of the 2025 class. Professional scouts across the nation gathered at the Churchland Highschool to witness games one and two of the P.I.T. The K&D Rounds Landscaping matched up against Sales System for the season debut, followed with Portsmouth Partnership against Norfolk Sports Club for game two.
Game 1 Recap
K&D ROUNDS def. SALES SYSTEMS, 74-73
Despite a 20-point first half deficit, the Sales System made a triumphant comeback to carry out a tight knit game down to the wire in a loss by one to the K&D Rounds. The K&D Rounds was led by Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla, posting 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Dayton forward Nate Santos was the team’s second leading scorer with 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Michigan State’s Jaden Aikens also finished in double digits for the K&D Rounds, tallying ten points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Belmont’s Johnathan Pierre contributed eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, along with Clemson’s Chase Hunter mirroring eight points. Xavier forward Zach Freemantle led all players with nine rebounds paired with seven points.
For the Sales Systems, Arkansas guard Johnell Davis led all players in a game high 22 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Ty Johnson from UC-Davis posted 19 points, four rebounds, two assists and hit four of seven from beyond the arch. Forward David Joplin from Marquette tallied nine points and led his team with seven rebounds.
The K&D Rounds embarked an early 15-0 run to start the quarter, topped with a three from Pedulla, accounting seven points within the run. The K&D Rounds hit five threes collectively in the first quarter alone. La. Tech’s Daniel Batcho and Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin initiated offensive momentum for the Sales Systems through high low action.
The K&D Rounds went on a quick 12-0 run in the second quarter, bringing the largest lead of the game (38-15), generated by a 5-0 run alone from Santos. Clemson’s Chase Hunter had a hot hand hitting a pair of threes consecutively. Pedulla finished the first half with 12 points alone, leading his team to a 44-30 advantage going into the second half.
Second chance point opportunities sparked the Sales Systems in the second half. Tenacity off the glass translated to an 11-4 advantage the Sales Systems for in second change points. Johnson owned the glass with six of seven rebounds in the second half alone. The Sales System went on a 12-2 run, with nine points alone from Davis. The margin was condensed to eight points going into the fourth quarter (58-50).
K&D Rounds attempted to pull away in the fourth quarter, carrying out a double-digit lead. A pair of threes in back-to-back possessions from David Joplin and Ty Johnson brought the Sales Systems to a five-point deficit with just over two minutes on the clock. Davis worked his way to the line, knocking down both free-throws before scoring a layup in the following possession to bring a one possession game (72-71) at 1:05. The Sales System continued their run as Johnson hit a midrange pull up off the key to bring the first lead of the game with 25 seconds left (73-72).
Pedulla gained possession and worked his way to the free-throw line off his own offensive board to reverse the lead, putting K&D Rounds up by one (74-73) with 12.6 seconds left on the clock. The Sales System could not find the rim in the final seconds resulting in a one-point win for the K&D Rounds.
Game Notes
Sean Pedulla displayed caliber point guard capabilities with standout IQ on day one of the P.I.T. despite spending the past season at Ole Miss as a primary scorer on a wing. He exemplified the ability to control the tempo of the offense in the transition game as well as in half court sets. The ability to make the correct reads in penetration, particularly off the baseline drive drift pass to hit the corner. Pedulla was efficient with ball reversal; always looking making the one more pass. With a one point deficit and 12 seconds left to go, the ball was in Pedulla’s hands down to the wire, where he managed to make his way to the line off a put back attempt from his own offensive rebound. He proceeded to knock down both free-throws, resulting in a win for the K&D Rounds.
Jonell Davis demonstrated the ability to create his own shot with a high efficiency off the midrange, shooting 9/17 from the field. He is a three-level scorer; demonstrated ability to absorb contact effectively and finding the seams with a specialty of snaking defenders and splitting ball screens. The ball was frequently in Davis’ hands when the team needed a bucket down to the wire as he a prominent scorer in bring the Sale’s System back to a one-point margin after a 20+ point deficit, cumulating 16 of his 22 points in the second half alone.
Ty Johnson was an offensive spark for the Sales System as he shot 4/7 from beyond the arch. His ability to hit momentum shifting threes to deflate the K&D Rounds scoring runs and generate runs on his own with consecutive threes was prominent for the Sales Systems ability to come back into the game in the second half. Johnson is a shooting specialist who can be depended on to hit shots in pivotal moments. He demonstrated a multifaceted arsenal in his three-point shooting capabilities, finding his shot off in several ways including in transition, dribble handoffs, screen and roll reads off the dribble as well as in set plays, particularly in horns flare and floppy action.
Game 2 Recap
PORTSMOUTH PARTNERSHIP def. NORFOLK SPORTS CLUB, 101-94
A balanced attack from both teams resulted in multiple players finishing within double digits and several lead exchanges throughout all quarters. Portsmouth Partnership’s fourth quarter vengeance pulled a victory over Norfolk Sports Club in game two.
For the Portsmouth Partnership, East Carolina Guard RJ Felton led all players with 22 points, shooting an efficient 9 of 13 from the field and 4 of 6 from beyond the arch. Miami Forward Matthew Clevland was the second leading scorer with 20 points, five rebounds, three steals, and shot 7 of 11 on the floor. Ace Baldwin Jr. from Penn State was the only player in both games to record a double double with 10 points, 11 assists and led all players with four steals. Indiana center Oumar Ballo was one rebound shy of a double-double, recording 16 points and nine boards paired with three blocks. Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack contributed 13 points and
shot a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arch.
Clemson center Viktor Lakhin and Boise State’s Tyson Degenhart led Norfolk Sports Club with 18 points apiece. LSU guard Cam Carter finished with 16 points, five assists, and shot a perfect 5 of 5 from the stripe. Missouri guard Tamar Bates tallied 15 points and seven assists. Devion Smith from St. Johns matched a team high seven assists, while Jahmyl Telfort from Butler finished with 11 points. St. Joes all-time leading scorer Erik Reynolds II and Appalachian State forward CJ Huntly chipped six points apiece.
An alley-oop dunk from Ballo followed by a no look dime from Smith to a dunk from Lakhin in the first two possessions of the game was foreshadowing what was in store to come for this match-up. Both teams exchanged buckets consecutively throughout the majority of the first half. With both teams evening out at 50 percent from the floor in the first quarter, the Norfolk Sports Club go hot from beyond the ach shooting 59.5 percent as a team, led by Bates and Degenhart who each shot a perfect 2 of 2 from the three. Bates led all players with 14 points at the half, while Degenhart racked up 11 points.
On the Portsmouth Partnership, Felton carried the team hitting all three of his three pointers and shot an efficient five of six from the field by the end of the second quarter. Clevland also helped carry the way with ten points leading into the second quarter.
The Norfolk Sports Club led 54-48 to close out the first half.
Portsmouth Partnership played from behind throughout the majority of the third quarter but maintained a four-point margin. Felton sparked a quick 4-0 run to tie at 75 with a quick behind the back finish to the rim, followed with a bucket from Kansas State forward David N’Guessman.
Reynolds II depleted the Portsmouth Partnership run with a midrange pull up. Felton attempted to generate another run for Portsmouth with a bucket, until Lahkin responded with a dunk down the lane to bring back a tie at 77. Felton yet again scored in the very next possession off a midrange pull up, but once again Norfolk Sports Club responded Smith feeding Lahkin with a shovel pass. Felton and Lahkin indulged in six straight possessions, exchanging buckets in maintaining a tie amongst both teams.
Mashack got involved and knocked down a three to shift the momentum, to take a lead for Portsmouth. Ballo came up with a dunk in the next possession to help pull Portsmouth away 84-81. Baldwin added an and one layup down the left lane to extend a 6-0 run Portsmouth Partnership with under four minutes left of play. After missing the free-throw, Baldwin secured possession and knocked down a three within that same time duration, putting Portsmouth up 89-81. Portsmouth kept piecing away within the final minutes of the game and pulled away with a 101-94 victory over Norfolk Sports Club.
Game Notes
Oumar Ballo is a functional and explosive 7’1 center from Indiana, with a profound court presence. Ballo saw a lot of success this past season in the low post area. He is well versed in screen and roll action, with high IQ when it comes to slips, as he thrives off receiving of the overhead lob. He demonstrated effortless dunking abilities, with long strides; he can take off to the rim from the elbow. Ballo also demonstrated having good spatial awareness, with an understanding of relocating to clear out a way for guards and not clogging up the paint through guard penetration. He saw a lot of action in transition due to his capabilities of running the floor. During the season he thrived off dump down reception, with success in his signature turnaround hook.
RJ Felton was a day one standout. He demonstrated the ability to score at all three levels and put the team on his back in times where they needed to pull away. Felton shoots the three with high efficiency, in several scenarios (transition catch and shoot, snatch back, dribble hand off). He is a versatile ball handler with the ability to pick apart defenders to find the rim. One of his unique attributes is his streakiness when it comes to scoring and the ability to prologue his momentum. This is through his illusiveness and ability to set up a move for possessions in advance, keeping the defense honest.
Victor Lakhin demonstrated versatility as a center, with the ability to also play off the perimeter and knock down threes, particularly at the top of the key. Lakhins IQ is exuberant when it comes to screen and roll play and connecting with his guards where he will also tend to get into a short roll and operate off the mid post. He demonstrated the ability to own the glass and generate second chance opportunities. Lakhin is also well versed in ball reversal, particularly in finding the weak side to deliver cross court pass off a post entry. He practices patience when getting into his moves. He has a large arsenal when it comes to rim finishes with the ability to dunk the ball effortlessly.
Matthew Clevland was imperative in pulling Portsmouth Partnership away within the fourth quarter, as he was a silent assassin as one of the top scorers of the day. Besides his efficiency from the floor, shooting 63.6 on the night. He maintained scoring consistency throughout all quarters, with a balanced 10 points split amongst both halves.
Scoring Leaders
Johnell Davis- 22 Points
RJ Felton- 22 Points
Matthew Clevland- 20 points
Ty Johnson- 19 Points
Viktor Lakhin- 18 Points
Tyson Degenhart- 18 Points
Cam Carter- 16 Points
Sean Pedulla- 16 Points
Oumar Ballo- 16 Points
Rebounding Leaders
Zack Freemantle- 9 Rebounds
Oumar Ballo- 9 Rebounds
Nate Santos- 7 Rebounds
David Joplin- 7 Rebounds
Assists Leaders
Ace Baldwin, Jr.- 11 Assists
Tamar Bates- 7 Assists
Deivon Smith- 7 Assists
Zeke Mayo- 6 Assists
Cam Carter- 5 Assists
Johnell Davis- 5 Assists
Sean Pedulla- 5 Assists
Steals Leaders
Ace Baldwin, Jr.- 4 Steals
Jaden Akins- 3 Steals
Matthew Cleveland- 3 Steals
Blocks Leaders
Oumar Ballo- 3 Blocks
Viktor Lakhin- 2 Blocks
Matthew Cleveland- 2 Blocks