All-Daz Shines in Arenas’ Return

Ron Bailey, Publisher

July 20, 2007 – D.C. hoop fans flocked to the George Goodman League – aka Barry Farms League – yesterday evening to witness the return of one of their adopted sons, Washington Wizards’ All-Star guard, Gilbert Arenas (6 points). Normally, the man known as Agent 0 is one of the most explosive scorers on the planet, but having recently undergone left knee surgery, Arenas lacked his typical physical prowess.

“He was telling me that was his first game back since the injury” noted Jeff Johnson, All-Daz’s coach and a veteran of the Barry Farms hoops wars. “He just wanted to come out and play, enjoy the atmosphere, and show up for the kids”.

Gilbert Arenas is seen dunking in layup lines, with the aid of the rim.

A major Arenas impact was unnecessary, as All-Daz still defeated the formidable Rare Essence team 95-74, before rain ended the contest late in the second half. The duo of Tre Kelly (35 points) and Brian Chase (30 points) made sure their team would not be denied.

Kelly, a recent University of South Carolina graduate, started his team’s scoring after an Arenas-fed layup, which he quickly followed first with a three pointer, then two additional layups, one generated by stealing the ball, the other after a nice spin in traffic.

Johnson praised Kelly’s overall skill set afterward. “He’s real fast with the ball” noted All-Daz’s leader. “He can drive and shoot. I’m surprised he’s not in somebody’s camp right now. He has a total game”.

As does Chase, the former VA Tech standout and recent Washington Wizard summer league team member who can drive and shoot. Following Kelly’s spin, Chase, as he would do all game long, sunk a deep three ball. In fact, over the next two and a half minutes, he would since two more long balls.

The combination of Chase, Kelly, and Arenas – who had a nice step back jumper after being defended well by Rare Essence’s single named player, Gerald (22 points), propelled their team to a 50-24 lead with 9:46 to play in the first half.

Former Dunbar (DC) and Univ. of South Carolina standout, Tre Kelly shoots a first half foul shot.

Though lacking the star power of All-Daz, Rare Essence is a perennial Goodman League favorite and preceded to show why, going on a 12-4 run over the next three and a half minutes. The defense-fueled scoring advantage, led by Gerald along with former Georgetown Hoya and present international pro Nat Burton (25 points), caused Johnson to call timeout; a tactic that worked, as his team went into halftime leading 65-48.

After intermission, Rare Essence – so named after one the most prolific Go-Go bands in D.C. history – again showed they were full of fight, narrowing their deficit via an 8-3 run, which was halted in part by the entrance of Mayor Adrian Fenty. After an introduction by league director, announcer, and commissioner, Miles Rawls, and some jokes made regarding his security entourage, Rawls issued his trademark call of “Move ‘em”, and game action continued.

Unfortunately for Rare Essence, they couldn’t move closer to the lead, before rain ended the festivities. This was in part due to All Daz’s star-studded team, which in addition to Arenas, Kelly, and Chase, included Wizard free agent Donnell Taylor (8 points) and D.C. legend Curt Smith (13 points).

Mayor Adrian Fenty takes in Goodman League action. Fans of the Barry Farms hoops tourney should be sure to press him for city support of the event.

A team such as this could compete on many levels, and begs the question, how does Johnson and the owner or All-Daz clothing stores and the team’'s sponsor, Curt Bone, compile it? According to Johnson, it’s based on contacts. “Curt knows a lot of people” he revealed. “From having coached Watts (a former league champion), I know a lot of people. And Curt Smith knows a lot of people. We just keep in touch with them, and they agree to play”.

Fans of Goodman League action need to be sure to keep in touch with Fenty. While exiting the court, the neophyte Mayor noted “It was a very positive”, before pledging to “work with Miles” on city funding. When pressed if this was a commitment of his, he replied, after pausing, “Yes”.

If you love the Goodman League, make sure you hold Mayor Fenty to those words. And if you love hoops, continue to come down and support the action. Unlike some politicians, it never disappoints.