Back 2 School Showcase 16 and 17 under Results

Ron Bailey, Publisher

August 25, 2008 – This past weekend Hoop Magic Sports Academy’s Back 2 School Showcase went off without a hitch, outside of one of the event’s 15 and under finalists not showing up Championship Sunday (their loss). Nevertheless, i95Ballerz.com covered the event, with both 16 and 17 and under results following. Be sure to check out our standout selections later.

16 and under championship

Nike Baltimore Elite 72 Triple Threat 57

(The official scorebook did not log stats, hence no scoring numbers for this game).

Nike Baltimore Elite used cohesion and purpose to build a 20+ point, second half lead, with its backcourt of sophomore Ronald Williams and junior Denzel Walker the prime reasons why; Walker scored from the perimeter and off the bounce, while Williams ran the show.

Team Melo 16 and under championship.

Nevertheless, Triple Threat clawed back into the game, trailing only 68-56 with 2:26 to play. At this point, Williams more or less put on his cape and secured the win, not only creating a charging call by using his feet on defense, but later also finding an open teammate for a long jumper, basically extinguishing any Triple Threat comeback hope.

“I think it got us pumped” said the energetic Williams of his defensive play, which entailed beating an opponent to a spot on the baseline and drawing the foul. “I’m trying to be a leader”.

“I’ve been trying to win a championship all summer” continued the diminutive point guard who is big on heart and skill. “This is our first one all year”.

17 and under championship

God’s Glory 81 Hoop Magic 75

“I just wanted to get work for all the kids” said God’s Glory head man, Mike Harmon, of why his team almost surrendered a 14 point lead, mid-way through the second half. “That’s what God’s Glory is all about, development”.

Harmon’s crew got a good lesson in how to deal with late game fouling strategy, which Hoop Magic employed with success.

God's Glory 17 and under crew.

Junior Phil Hawkins, a two sport standout guard/quarterback dropped 21 for God’s Glory, much of it early. He was aided by 16 from juniors Antonio Jennifer and Zamichael Harmon, a swingman and point guard respectively.

Hoop Magic also seemed to pick up their tempo in the second half, which also assisted them in narrowing the score 77-73 with 32 seconds in regulation. Senior Justin May and junior Curtis Symonds logged 15 points apiece in their team’s valiant effort.

TRANSFER NEWSFLASH

Several members of the God’s Glory team are moving to new schools, with junior swingmen Antonio Pittman and the aforementioned Jennifer now attending McKinley Tech (Washington, DC). Jennifer, a good shooting, athletic player formerly attended Progressive Christian Academy (MD), while Pittman, known for his solid all around forward game, was a student at Bishop O’Connell (VA).

Added to the list is Hawkins, now enrolled at Eastern High School, after leaving St. Johns (DC). Phil, was starting to emerge on many high major football programs’ radar scopes, but will forgo the gridiron this year, focusing instead on his scholastic transition to Eastern as well as hoops.

The DCIAA boy’s basketball league will be jumping this winter.

Harmon, who has worked with this group since around the age of 10, and resultantly is loyal to them. “We try to stick with the kids” and not engage in many personnel changes he said.