Big Shots DC Assault Grab Bag

Ron Bailey, Publisher

DC Assault headlined and dominated this event.

April 12, 2010 – This weekend’s Big Shots DC Assault Tournament was a solid travel team presentation, one boasting a range of teams spanning the 10-under through 17 under age groups. Action was heavy during the two day event.

Champions:

DC Assault took home the 17-under crown Sunday, with two of its teams facing one another in the championship game: DC Assault Britt, a squad that will compete this summer in 16 and under action yet played older competition this weekend defeated DC Assault Blue 17u. The younger team outlasted their older brethren 66-61.

Junior guard Tyler Hubbard led the way for Blue with 13 points, while junior Brian Okinkabe dropped 11 points for Ty Johnson’s team. Christian Leach, a junior guard, finished with 10 points.

Nate Britt III gets two of his 8 points.

DCA Britt, also known as 16u Gold, got 12 points from sophomore guard Jamal Lewis while freshman swingman DJ Fenner chipped in 11, and fellow frosh Kris Jenkins, a forward, contributed 10.

To hear Britt, provide in-game counsel to his team on defensive principles and focus, click here.

Jenkins noted afterward, “This is a big one for us”, and thought it would prepare Assault’s 16u Gold team for future events this summer; ‘playing up’ does have its benefits. Click here for his interview.

Of the win, Britt said “it was definitely a big emotional win for us and hopefully it can transpire into a step that will get us to play together…we are trying to push each other”.

Game of the Tourney:

Accompanying all the drama of a gunfight at the OK Corral, Big Shot’s 17 under semifinal pitting DC Assault Blue vs. DC Assault Gold was clearly the game of the tourney. Such is the case when highly competitive and talented players within the same organization, some labeled the first team (Gold) and others owning second squad status (Blue), go at it, in front of family and friends.

This one was a dozy, the action non-stop. During a game in which underdog Blue hung around with Gold, the former found itself up 58-51 after a Tyler Hubbard three ball (his third of the second half) with over five minutes to play.

Christian Leach came up strong in the second half against DC Assault Gold 17u. Here, Prince Okoroh defends.

During an ensuing Gold timeout, Blue coach, Ty Johnson, instructed: “Look at the score…we are in a one and one situation all the way, we don’t have to hold the ball but we don’t have to take another shot. They are going to foul us. But you all have to take care of the basketball”.

About a minute and a half later, Gold’s junior backcourt standout Quinn Cook answered with an old-fashioned and-one via the drive, reducing the team’s deficit to 58-54.

Cook would soon thereafter hit a three-ball, creating a 59-58 Gold lead in the process, but Blue would not only retake the advantage but extend it though foul line work, something of a shock as previously charity stripe attempts were missed. This time around, Christian Leach hit both his, while junior swingman Devon Morton dropped one and Hubbard came up big, nailing all four of his attempts.

Quinn Cook drives in an earlier game.

Their coach, Johnson, can be heard preparing his team for the inevitable Gold fouling technique. To listen to his counterpart, Singler draw up a late game play, click this link.

Following his directions, Gold got another three pointer from Cook, but Hubbard’s last two free throws, made with three seconds left, iced the 68-66 win.

“I just stepped up. Big time players step up in big games” said Hubbard afterward, upon being asked about his key, game sealing free throws. He also considered the game an upset, as DCA Blue is “basically the underrated team”. (Hubbard’s post-game comments)

Sophomore forward Jordan Goodman noted Gold needed to return to the gym and improve, while of the loss Cook agreed more work was in order for Assault’s flagship team, while also identifying “several plays I took off down the stretch” and an unnecessary foul he committed as “inexusable” .

His coach, Singler addressed his crew afterward, decrying a lack of early season commitment as evidenced by copious missed practices by team members. “I hope it’s a learning experience” said the ex-Kansas State coach, who repeatedly challenged his team to do more in his post-contest address.

Selected other Champs:
Hoop Magic – 16u division
VA Assault – 16u conciliation division