Real Deal report

Haitian center returns

Playing his first games since November, Skal Labissiere has proven to be an asset for the Arkansas Wings Elite in its early games of the Real Deal in the Rock.

Labissiere, a 6-11 center originally from Haiti, scored 12 points in the Wings Elite’s pool play victory over the Memphis Magic on Saturday morning and he provided 14 points and seven rebounds in the Elite’s 63-53 victory over the Wings Select in the first round of bracket play later in the afternoon.

“I’m trying to get a feel for the game again,” said Labissiere, who suffered from a stress fracture in his back late in 2013 and was cleared to play just last week. “I’ve been anxious to get back on the court.”

Labissiere, who attends high school at the Evangelical Christian School in Memphis, has received offers from Auburn, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis and Tennessee.

“He’s an unbelievable talent,” Elite Coach Wes Swift said. “We just haven’t seen him enough to know everything he can do for us.”

WINGS SELECT A near upset

The Wings Elite almost had its Real Deal run come to an early end thanks one of its sister teams. The Arkansas Wings Select held a 32-25 advantage early in the second half before falling.

“Our guys were really excited to get a chance to play [the Elite],” Select Coach Chris Hughes said.

“There were some things we did really well. I’m very proud of their effort.”

Eric Moses, a 6-4 guard who plays for Southwest Christian Academy in Little Rock, and Ben Smith of Bentonville each scored 14 points for the Select while J.P. Perry of Mayflower added 12 points.

BOBBY PORTIS A man’s game

For the first time since the sixth grade, Bobby Portis played on a team that did not win a championship.

Portis, who just completed his freshman season at the University of Arkansas, played for four consecutive state championship teams at Little Rock Hall.

“I learned that college basketball is a grown man’s game,” said the 6-10 Portis, who watched several Real Deal games on Saturday.

“You can not be timid and be successful. There are a lot of ups and downs during the season. You have to have a ton of confidence and you have to learn to be mentally tough.”

Portis admits he still has plenty to learn.

“I could have played better,” Portis said. “And I certainly wasn’t satisfied, but I do think the best is yet to come.”

Sports, Pages 33 on 04/20/2014

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