“They are a very talented team and we didn’t play our best today. We were a little short, ”said John Marshall coach Ty White.

Judges’ winger Dennis Parker, Jr. led the game with 26 points. The quick passes and multiple shooting options kept the score close, but with the ball in John Marshall’s hands with a few seconds remaining, an all-field shot failed.

Tremayne Parker, a 6-2 goaltender, led Vertical with 22 points.

Despite the loss, White said playing at VSU had an impact on his team.

“It’s always a good opportunity to take our kids out of their comfort zone and show them a new experience,” White said. “This is what we are looking for. It’s more important than winning and losing. It’s about putting our children in great, meaningful situations.

Petersburg and Landstown played the tournament opener, and it was a close end as well.

Landstown, a Class 6 school in Virginia Beach, has a four-star prospect in Donald “DJ” Hand, Jr. The 6-5 point guard announced his engagement at Boston College in September.

Chris Fields, Jr., leads Petersburg in scoring, and coach Ryan Massenburg has described senior point guard Clarence Claiborne, Jr., as the driving force behind the team.