Steady Ivory leads Pemberton over Willingboro

I'Javion Ivory's best pass was a from-the-hip, no-look assist to teammate DeAngelo Hilton that traveled all of four feet.

Ivory's best shot was an eight-footer that settled softly in the net, a success that somehow silenced a home crowd still buzzing over his missed dunk on Pemberton's previous possession.

"Quiet, please," would be an appropriate sign for Pemberton fans to hold up when Ivory goes about his business for the Hornets.

A 6-foot-2 junior, Ivory didn't force a shot or make an ill-advised pass in the course of a fast-paced clash between archrivals Pemberton and Willingboro in a Burlington County League Patriot Division boys' basketball game on Thursday night.

Ivory still managed to generate 23 points with 14 rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocks in Pemberton's 73-57 victory.

"Poise," Pemberton coach Roy Heck said of Ivory's best quality on the court.

Hilton, a 6-foot-3 senior who was making his season debut after sitting out the season's first 30 days as a transfer from Medford Tech, added 12 points with 11 rebounds for Pemberton (5-5 overall, 3-0 in Patriot play).

Senior guard Antonio Parnell scored 21 for Willingboro (3-7, 2-2).

"The second half, we didn't execute," Willingboro coach Jeff Haddock said. "That team [Pemberton] has firepower. We don't have that kind of firepower. We have to win by playing defense and executing the game plan, and we didn't do that."

Ivory was 9 for 15 from the field and 5 for 6 from the foul line. He scored most of his points in the paint, although he also made a couple of jump shots.

"He has a nice little mid-range game, gets to the rim, gets a lot of rebounds," Heck said of Ivory. "He's a gifted kid, very athletic. He's playing basketball year-round and that's making a difference."

The most telling thing about Ivory's game is his control. He is one of those rare players who appears to stay calm in the raging storm of the competition, rarely wasting motion or forcing the action.

On numerous occasions, he caught the basketball in the lane against Willingboro's zone defense and kicked it out to open teammates.

"I love to get my teammates involved," Ivory said.

Last season, Ivory averaged around 15 points and eight rebounds as a complementary player. The Hornets were led by senior Shaun Brooks, a second-team All-South Jersey athlete who powered the team to the South Jersey Group 2 title game.

This season has been different. Ivory has been Pemberton's most productive player, averaging 20.6 points and 11.9 rebounds.

He also has developed into a vocal leader, according to Heck.

"He's taking over that role," Heck said.

Ivory said he started playing basketball in the fifth grade.

"Right in that other gym, learning the drop step," Ivory said of Pemberton's auxiliary gym. "I just kept playing and playing, getting better. I love basketball, love to play with my teammates."

Ivory's only flashy play of the night was his missed dunk. He made a steal near midcourt, raced to the basket with a defender on his hip and jammed the ball off the back of the rim.

But moments later, he settled himself, the crowd and the game with the kind of short, sweet jumper that is becoming a rarity in the sport these days.

"I wasn't even worried about it," Ivory said of his missed dunk. "I was just off to the next play. Always thinking about the next play."

Willingboro 18 9 12 18 - 57

Pemberton 20 10 26 17 - 73

W: Jeff Haddock 7, Antonio Parnell 21, James Alexander 10, Dalian Outlaw 8, Bryce Chapman 2, Isaiah Harrison 2, Buster Younis 2, Robert Augusto 5.

P: Taro Gaither 11, I'Javion Ivory 23, Jordan Heck 10, DeAngelo Hilton 12, Tyrae Johnson 12, Antoine Wilson 2, Dezmen Johnson 1, Shaunze Blackman 2.