Former Apple Valley High School star Tyus Jones leads Duke comeback over North Carolina
2014-15 Duke Blue Devils high school highlights The first experience for Tyus Jones in one of college basketball's most storied rivalries was "unbelievable," he said.
Unbelievable because his Duke Blue Devils fought back from a 79-72 deficit in the final minute to force overtime against North Carolina.
File photo by Nicholas Koza
Tyus Jones
Unbelievable because Jones, a true freshman from Apple Valley (Minn.), led the comeback with 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
Unbelievable because Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski predicted it would happen — a Duke victory, 92-90 in overtime.
"Coach told us to believe," Jones said in his postgame interview. "We were down 79-72 and he said we were going back to win this game. We always believe and trust what coach says. So we never gave up. We battled back. I'm so proud of these guys."
Jones, a 6-foot-1 guard, never gave up at Apple Valley for coaches Zach Goring and Mike Fritze. In a five-year varsity career, he set Apple Valley career records in points (2,909), assists (1,031) and steals (369).
He led his team to a 120-27 record in his career and a state title in 2013. As thrilling as that was, it couldn't have surpassed Wednesday's thrilling comeback home win before a national television audience.
"It was very emotional," he said. "It was up and down and I just tried to stay level. … It means a lot to me (to play such a vital role). All the credit goes to my teammates because they believed in me."
Jones wasn't the only former MaxPreps All-American to star for Duke.
Another true freshman, Jahlil Okafor from Whitney Young (Chicago) had 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Quinn Cook, from Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), also had a game-high 22 points and Justice Winslow of St. John's (Houston) contributed 16.
North Carolina was led by Kennedy Meeks of West Charlotte (N.C.) and Brice Johnson from Edisto (Cordova, S.C.), with 18 points apiece and J.P. Tokoto of Menomonee Falls (Wis.) added 15. Johnson also had a team-high 12 rebounds. 2014-15 North Carolina Tar Heels high school highlights
