NORCROSS — Miller Grove won’t have fond memories of its trip to the Marriott Invitational. It was where the previously unbeaten Wolverines’ hopes of finishing No. 1 in the nation died.
Dr. Krop of Miami led from the start and was up by 16 midway through the fourth quarter before securing a 70-63 victory in Saturday’s first game before a near-capacity crowd at Norcross High School.
Dr. Krop (20-2) came in ranked No. 24 by ESPN Rise, while Miller Grove was No. 3 in that poll and No. 4 in the USA Today rankings. But the Florida school was able to withstand Miller Grove’s superiority inside with its superb guard play.
Angel Rodriguez, who is going to Kansas State, had 16 points, seven steals and three assists, while Cody Mann had 16 points and five assists. Dr. Krop also got 16 points off the bench from Bryan Delaney.
Tony Parker had 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots for Miller Grove (16-1). But nine of his points came in the first quarter and the 6-foot-9 junior was just 5-for-10 from the foul line.
Dr. Krop jumped ahead 7-1 and then, after the defending Class AAAA state champs closed to 16-13 at the end of the opening quarter, built as much as a 15-point lead in the second quarter before the Wolverines cut the deficit back to 37-27 at halftime.
Parker had 11 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, but Miller Grove was 2-for-9 at the foul line. Mann had 10 points and Delaney scored nine.
Rodriguez had seven points in the third quarter and Dr. Krop went into the final quarter up 52-34. The lead was 60-44 with 5:40 remaining before Miller Grove mounted a rally to close to 66-60 with 1:04 left. Rodriguez iced the win on a pair of foul shots with 24.7 seconds remaining.
Miller Grove has a victory over defending Class AAAAA state champ Milton and won the Beach Ball Classic after Christmas
