Sportsgroove/i95Ballerz.com Baller of the Week – Garvey Young

Ron Bailey, Publisher

February 19, 2007 – Based on a weekend in which he led Georgetown Prep (MD) to a 79-58 Independent Athletic Conference (IAC) Tournament semi-final win over Episcopal (VA) Friday, and subsequent league championship sealing, 57-53 vanquishing of arch-rival Bullis (MD) a day later, Garvey Young has earned Sportsgroove/i95Ballerz.com Baller of the Week honors. It’s a fitting high school end for the 6’4”, 180 lb guard forward, who hails from Northwest Washington, DC.

As Prep’s foremost scorer, rebounder, defender and leader, Young abundantly displayed all those attributes: Versus Episcopal, Garvey supplied 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals while dominating the game defensively, and when facing Bullis he chipped in 10 points – eight in the first half –, five rebounds and two steals, again displaying the ability to strap up.

Young’s impact recently and generally was acknowledged by all involved – he won the tournament’s MVP award - including his sophomore teammate, Markel Starks, and coach, Dwayne Bryant.

“It was a big win for us, we wanted the conference championship” said Starks after the IAC’s title game. “Garvey played well, and got us off to a great start”.

Garvey Young and father, John Young.

“Basketball has never been the main thing for him, that’s why he came to Georgetown Prep” opined Bryant, before noting of Young’s overall development “As a player, he’s matured over the years; no longer does he just rely on his offensive ability. He’s became our best defender, he became our best rebounder”.

Having lost to Bullis twice during the regular season, Young, a two time conference tourney winner who over his career also secured a regular season IAC title, displayed maturity in leading Prep.

“I knew it was tough beating a team, three times in a row” recalled Young, who told his teammates “to strap down on defense” with the goal of holding Bullis to under 60 points, a barometer of success for Prep as when they did so, “we won every game”.

Attending Vermont next year, Young is understandably excited, and communicated his faith will “pull me through” whatever experiences encountered. To prepare himself for matriculation, which will occur this summer, Garvey shared “I’m going to work on my body, and get stronger and faster” with the hope of securing playing time next year.

Hats off to Garvey Young, a teenager who through hard work, familial support, and overall focus, has great things ahead of him.

There is no doubt IAC foes respect him, but are glad he’s moving on.