USA/CAN/GER – Young talent on show at Madison Square Garden

NEW YORK (Jordan Brand Classic) - North Carolina's prize recruit Harrison Barnes and Duke-bound Kyrie Irving will be rivals over the next four years when they go into battle in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

And everyone got a sneak preview of what to expect on Saturday at Madison Square Garden when the two squared off in the Jordan Brand Classic, a game featuring the leading high school players in North America.

Barnes poured in 20 points to fire the West Team to a 129-125 triumph over Irving and the East Team. A 6ft 8in small forward from Ames, Iowa, he also had 15 rebounds.

Irving, a 6ft 2in point guard from New Jersey, also excelled with 22 points and seven assists.

The two players were named the game's Co-MVPs.

A number of star players have taken part in the Jordan Brand Classic and been voted MVP over the years, including NBA stars Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, LeBron James and Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Canada connection

A couple of Henderson Findlay College Prep stars who will represent Canada's national team in the very near future, Tristan Thomas and Cory Joseph played for the West team.

Thompson finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds while Joseph had 14 points and handed out seven assists.

Thompson will play for the Texas Longhorns while Joseph is undecided on where he will play college basketball.

Both were members of Canada's team at last year's FIBA U19 World Championship in New Zealand.

Earlier in the day, the third annual international game - which features players aged 15 and 16 - was held and standout performances were turned in by German Malik Muller and Canadian Duane Notice.

Muller had 21 points and five rebounds while Notice, a member of the Canadian cadet national side, finished with 23 points and eight boards.

Both players should be representing their respective countries in this summer's FIBA U17 World Championship for Men.

Two other players from Ontario, Kevin Pangos and Anthony Bennett, took part in the international game.

FIBA