Ballou - There's a First Time for Everything

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Ballou (DC) wins first DCIAA crown.

March 2, 2009 – Saturday Ballou High School (DC) achieved something not done previously; the Knights, coached by Jenkins Dormu, won their first DCIAA championship with a 59-52 victory over McKinley Tech (DC). Another relative first was the standout play of Marquise Gentry.

Gentry dropped 14 points - which he's done before - but it was the surety of his play that was most impressive; when the Knights needed an interior bucket, rebound, or block, Gentry, a sophomore, obliged. His fourth quarter block leading to junior Donte Thomas' open court pull up and nasty alley oop supplied in no look fashion by the same Thomas, not only had Coolidge High School's athletic facility rocking but were key plays in the contest.

"It wasn't his best performance" noted Dormu afterward, while his team basked in the glory of victory. "But it was his most clutch".

Thomas, named the game's MVP with 23 points was his usual self in terms of scoring and finding open teammates. Regarding the centrality of his presence, Dormu said "Dante is the centerpiece of what we do".

McKinley never trailed by more than six points and tied the score several times, including at 42 early in the final quarter. Part and parcel to their doing so was the usage of a 1-3-1 zone, which according to their coach Eric Brockenberry allowed the Trainers to "slow them down, change the tempo".

Ballou's players celebrate with Dormu after the historic win.

Also assisting his team, led in scoring by junior Antonio Jennifer (13 points) and senior Anthony Myers (11 points), was full court pressure and attacking Ballou's defenses, including an fairly effective 2-3 matchup, on the baseline.

But this wasn't about X's and O's as much as it was as was about individual plays being made, and Thomas stepping up in primetime fashion, made the most, including 10 fourth quarter points and a number of assists. His was truly an electric performance.

According to a joyous Thomas afterward, his play was self- inspired. "I decided to take over on my own, because we needed it" he responded, when asked if Dormu insisted he do so.

With a key core returning and Gentry showing he can indeed be the force many have long expected, there is a good chance the fans at next year's DCIAA championship game could once again chant afterward "Southeast, South-Southeast" in commemoration of Ballou, its location in the city, and another title.

Notes: One man with a rooting interest in both teams was Mike Harmon, God's Glory (AAU) founder and coach. You see, Harmon has coached a number of players on Ballou and McKinley Tech including Thomas, Gentry, Jennifer and others for years on the spring/summer circuit.

To say Harmon cares about these kids is an understatement, as he expends not only time and energy in their development and well being, but personally funds much of the team's game playing efforts as well. His family is also involved in the enterprise, as Harmon's son Zamychal (a junior at Bishop O'Connell) participates, as does another, Zion, a talented under-eight year old player that is the team's defacto mascot.

Dormu put the importance of what Harmon does with God's Glory and the young people who participate in it well: "They learned the game from Mike Harmon".

Be sure to check them out this summer. It's unsure whether they will be once again part of the DC Assault organization, as occurred last year, but whether sponsored or solo, God's Glory will be a team to reckon with. Again.