Ballou Evidences Existence of a Different Path

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Longtime friends and teammates, players arrive at SE school, seeking opportunity.

March 13, 2010 - Today's City Title Game, pitting the DCIAA's Ballou Knights (30-4) versus DeMatha Catholic (29-3) of the WCAC has many in D.C.'s hoops community abuzz, as the replay of last year's City Title contest is thought to be the DCIAA's best chance for victory since the middle of last decade, when Cardozo took the crown. It also is illustrative of much more, including redemption and opportunity.

The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is nationally considered one of the most competitive, routinely sending players to top programs across the country. Look at conference finals yesterday for proof: Georgetown has the trio of Jason Clark, Austin Freeman and Chris Wright, of O'Connell, DeMatha and St. John's respectively, that faced Johnny Flowers (St. Mary's Ryken) in the Big East's championship game. Kansas State boasted one time Carroll Lion Rodney McGruder and former teammate Jamar Samuels (though both finished at other high schools) in the Big 12 tourney's final game. Recruiters know to troll the league for talented, well schooled future college ball players.

Donte Taylor (left) and Zalmico Harmon go at it in pre-season pickup ball.

Currently dozens of WCAC players are headed to, or being recruited/evaluated by, NCAA Division I programs. And that doesn't consider those players destined for smaller schools.

But there's a flip side to all the success, accolades and attention, as the WCAC dream - playing one's way into a major college scholarship, or at least a full or partial ride somewhere- doesn't visit every young man who laces them up for one of the 10 league schools that offer boys basketball as a sport.

"The whole thing is about the inner city kids, giving them a similar opportunity as those of a higher socio-economic status, they have different challenges" opined Mike Harmon, an assistant coach at Ballou this week, when asked about the experience of some young entrants into the blue-blooded WCAC.

He should know, as Harmon, via his God's Glory AAU team, has witnessed it first hand, with his players eventually ending up at Ballou or other schools.

"When they were around 12, I started putting all of them in the Catholic school, Assumption" recalled Harmon, who has been equal parts coach, mentor and friend to his God's Glory players. "Phil (Hawkins of Eastern) went, my son (Zalmico Harmon), Antoine Pittman and then Christian (Leach) also went to Assumption. I knew the public school system to me was failing the kids so much and not preparing them educationally".

"What ended up happening was, Phil ended up gong to St. Johns, Zalmico and Antoine went to O'Connell, and Christian to St. Johns" continued Harmon. With the exception of the younger Harmon, "It was really a challenge for them, because they weren't ready for that level of education".

On the hardwood, Harmon believes the guys didn't quite get an equal shake, whether that be due to grades, personality conflicts, or a lack of comfort level by the coaches with kids: "To make a long story short, with Zalmico, he was there and wasn't getting the opportunity to develop. Antoine got in trouble because of grades. Christian was good but was put on the freshman team, they treated him like a second class citizen. Phil, they told him they wanted him to just rebound".

He went on, noting of Ballou ballplayers, also God's Glory guys, "Dante (Thomas) and Marquis (Gentry) and I tried to do the same...Dante ended up at Ballou. Marquis actually ended up at Progressive Christian, and the very next year he wanted to go to Ballou. He felt comfortable there".

Harmon elaborated on why some kid's struggle in WCAC environments: "I just feel the experience of those kids going to the Catholic schools, and all the opposition and challenges they face going there, it needs to be publicized. Educationally, they are not really supported like they need to be. They have to get up early in the morning, catch the subway out there, face a rigorous educational program, and the coaches don't really care, they are going to work (on the court).

"If it doesn't really pan out for them, they kind of drop them off. Then the kid is behind in terms of their credits and their core (a collection of classes used for NCAA qualification analysis) is really low".

"It's a heavy adjustment process, educationally, socially and culturally" summed Harmon. "I feel like they have the tutoring, but at the same time there are so many other facets of bringing a human being from one environment to another environment. Others have been prepped for years. It's a real big challenge. ".

His kids have found success elsewhere.

God's Glory, circa 2008: (l)Doug Dorumu (asst coach), Antonio Pittman, Donte Thomas. (r) Mike Harmon, Marquis Gentry, Antonio Jennifer. (first row l. to r.) Loren Coates of Teddy Rosevelt HS, Zal Harmon and Phil Hawkins

"This year, Zalmico, Antoine, and Christian came over (to Ballou). Phil was going to, but stayed at Eastern (transferring there last year), where they really helped him (the talented two sport star's GPA has risen, but still lagged due to his St. Johns tenure)...Coming back to Ballou, it was really all about opportunity".

That doesn't mean, in Harmon's eyes, public schools should not be taken to task. "But something needs to be said on the other hand of the inner city schools. Something has broken down in our public schools systems...That's why the private schools are sucking all of our talent, leaving the public schools to warehouse the kids that aren't super smart or have challenges".

Where others see young people who transferred for whatever the cause, Harmon sees hope, a blueprint, if you will, for success.

"There's something to be said this year; these kids who started 8 or 9 years old, and tried to do the right thing, and to see them blossom their senior year. They were desired by the Catholic schools and determined not be be up to snuff" he said. "These kids have been fighting and fighting. The fight is really for opportunity".

Harmon, who faced similar challenges said of his background, "I had a good mother who continued to go to school after I was born...It was just by the grace of God I as elevated. I have to reach back and make a deposit.

"It was times when the kids were scattered out...No matter what society said, they are just as good as any kid. If you believe in them and give them opportunity and address their needs, they've proven they can compete with those given more. They will still make it eventually".

Of the City Title game and Ballou's team, Harmon closed by saying "Win, lose or draw, I hope they understand that with hard work, God is going to open up an opportunity. Their road may not be as clear as others, but it's still possible for them".

It couldn't have been said better.