NORCROSS, GA - The Hilton Invitational is growing into being the destination event just before the end. Every year, the one-day showcase has had matchups that left people on the edge of their seats on Saturday.

This was no different as players, teams and basketball fans left host Norcross High impressed with the games. There were some game winners at the buzzer, individual performances and highlights that had people talking about what they just happen to see.

Here are the re-caps:

Patterson saves best for last

Avery Patterson has built a reputation as a player who refuses to lose. He delivered on that trademark performance in Wheeler’s 83-82 win over Wenonah High.

The No. 2 Hoopseen.com Power Poll Wildcats (17-4) trailed by one-point as time was running out. Patterson, a Western Kentucky signee, took the ball on the wing and drove to the basket with one thing in mind – to score. He shimmied through the defense and was met with defensive resistance at the rim. It did not stop him as Patterson absorbed the contact and finished at the buzzer. Patterson finished with 21 points.

Wheeler rushed the court to embrace the Patterson as Wenonah walked off the deflated. The Dragons (23-6) held a lead for most of the game. Justin Coleman, an Alabama signee, gave Wenonah a lead late with a three-point play. He finished with a team-high 26 points. At the time it looked like the Dragons would continue their winning ways in Georgia. Wenonah’s seniors are 12-3 in the Peach State. Marcus Williams had 23 points for Wenonah. Cedric McGinnis and Kameron Hardrick finished with 11 points apiece.

Jaylen Brown led Wheeler with a game-high 30 points. None was more emphatic than a baseline two-handed dunk. The junior forward finishing move above the rim had everyone looking at each other in amazement. Classmate Daniel Giddens finished with 10 points.

Spartans hot shooting keeps them undefeated

For one of the few times this season, Greater Atlanta Christian found trailing and trading baskets with a team that was not willing to back down. However, the Spartans never flinched or panicked late.

GAC, the top-ranked Hoopseen.com Power Poll team, went on runs early in the third and fourth quarter to help push them to a 72-64 win over Winston-Salem Prep. One of the main contributors was Cam Boyd.

The junior sharpshooter hit four three-pointers in the third quarter to get the Spartans (22-0) going. He was in such a good rhythm, which gave GAC a comfortable lead. Boyd finished with six three-pointers and a game-high 20 points.

His hot shooting gave the Spartans some bounce as they started playing their trademark basketball. Unsigned senior Troy Morrison and Virginia signee Isaiah Wilkins helped Boyd orchestrate the win. Morrison handled the pressure and found teammates in scoring position finishing with 11 points and 10 assists. Wilkins knocked down his fluid mid-range for 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds with four blocks.

WSP (13-4) refused to just fold up. The Phoenix continued to attack the defense and managed to cut the lead to 64-60 late in the fourth quarter. This was behind the effort of Mike Hughes. The Georgia Southern signee was hard to stop at either getting to the basket or knocking down shots. He finished with a game-high 25 points.  Aaron Lipscomb added 12 points. Coye Simmons, a Tennessee-Martin signee, had 11 points.

Knights fall short late

Providence Day School has the makeup of a team that will not get rattled by much.

The Chargers never panic despite being down double digits at time during the game. They just stay the course. A fourth quarter comeback propelled PDS to a 74-70 win over St. Francis.

Davidson signee Jordan Watkins and Jordan Howard led the Chargers (18-3). They shared scoring opportunities. Watkins was solid from beyond the arc. The senior guard knocked down three of his five three-pointers in the second half finishing with a team-high 21 points. While Watkins was filling it up from deep, Howard was getting to the basket for 15 points, most of which came in the forth quarter. He scored 15 points.

St. Francis (13-7), ranked No. 16 in the Hoopseen.com Power Poll, was not able to get into its up-tempo style. In the first-half, the Knights were all over the floor and causing the Chargers major problems. Leading the charge was Malik Beasley, who finished with a game-high 25 points. He also had eight rebounds and five assists. Kobi Simmons and Kaiser Gates poured in 16 points apiece.

Pinkett, Norcross defense rises up

Khalen Pinkett is known for being a relentless defender. He brings contagious energy to Norcross’ starting lineup few teams have the luxury of having. Against Christ School the Blue Devils defense fed off of Pinkett’s defense and offense.

The unsigned senior forced several turnovers and created scoring opportunities as Norcross raced out to a 65-46 win over the Greeenies. Pinkett led Hoopseen’s fifth-ranked Blue Devils take full control from the outset. However, it was athleticism that caught everyone’s attention.

On three different occasions, the 6-foot guard took flight for one-handed dunks. Several of his teammates called for him to dunk the first attempt after a steal, sending everyone the Norcross faithful into a frenzy. Harvard commit Andre Chatfield finished with a game-high 19 points. Unsigned senior AJ Farrar had 12. Pinkett chipped in with 11.

Alec Wnuk, a UNC Asheville signee, scored a team-high 19 points for the Greenies.

Hillgrove holds off Sparkman

Hillgrove High is looking to get back to the state finals from a year ago. The Hawks beefed up the schedule and has found themselves in some tough games. No one said the road back to Macon would be easy but Hillgrove is showing it still a team to contend with.

The No. 15 Hawks beat Sparkman High 70-63, despite losing a 20-point lead.

Kyle Castlin was going to make sure his team would not fall short against the Alabama squad. The Columbia commit finished with 27 points, most of which came in the Hawks (18-4) first quarter. Jourdan Julian added 15 points. BJ Brown, an unsigned senior, chipped in with 13.

Sparkman refused to fold after trailing for one-half quarters 22-2. The reason the Alabama team stayed in the game was behind the shooting of sophomore guard Jamal Johnson. He finished with a game-high 30 points, which included hitting four three-pointers.