Local Stars Hold On for Cap Victory

Ron Bailey, Publisher

April 6, 2007 - The Capital All-Stars were able to hold on against a U.S. All-Star charge, to win the 34th Annual Capital Classic, despite letting a lead that reached 21 points in the first half dissipate. As a result, the Capital All-Star team walked away victorious 149-145, before an announced crowd of 3,127, at the University of Maryland’s Comcast Center last night.

According to Capital coach Mike Jones – the head coach of nationally ranked DeMatha Catholic High School who had two players in the game – that early lead was due to adherence of a basic formula. “In an all star game, and anytime you are able to take advantage of the transition offensively and limit the other team defensively, you have a good chance to win” said Jones, of his team’s early ability to push the ball after creating defensive stops. “We did a very good job of that, in the first quarter”.

The U.S. team started to chip away at the Capital lead in the second quarter, finishing the stanza on a 19-11 run, fueled by the guard play of Clemson University bound Terrence Oglesby (20 points 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal) and future VaTech Hokie Malcolm Delaney (31 points, 1 rebounds, 4 assists, 7 steals): Both shot the ball well, and found open teammates such as Virginia Caviler to-be Mike Scott (25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals).

Adrian Bowie (23) at the line, during the first half.

In the second half, enter the Capital team’s Deontay Twyman (16 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists), Jeff Peterson (14 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals), and Adrian Bowie (14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist). That phalanx of guards - of which Bowie will attend Maryland, while Twyman and Peterson both are undecided - took turns answering U.S. All-Star charges by scoring and finding teammates: The trio’s third quarter action, including Twyman’s windmill dunk, Peterson’s strong drive to the hole, and Bowie’s fast break dunk, attest to their effort.

They were not alone, as future Pitt Panther Darnell Dodson (18 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals) not only played great defenses resulting in at least one fast break dunk but scored key baskets in half court sets, and upcoming Hokie Gus Gilchrist (24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks) got to the foul line via strong inside moves.

Nonetheless, their team’s lead was cut to three late in the fourth quarter, before West Virginia University signee John Flowers (11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 blocks) hit a key three pointer with 1:40 to go. Further sealing the game was Anthony McClain’s (12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks) block of an Oglesby three-pointer soon thereafter. McClain will decided upon his college home soon.

34th Annual Cap Classic All-Star team: (l. to r.) Darnell Dodson, Deontay Twyman, Gus Gilchrist, Malcolm Delaney, Mike Scott, Terrance Oglesby.

To a man, the opportunity to play in this game was greatly appreciated.

“It felt pretty good, to play in front of my family and friends” said D.C. native and U.S. All-Star, future VaTech student-athlete Jeff Allen (16 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal). “But I would have liked to gotten the win”.

“It’s a good feeling to come out here and win” shared Capital All-Star Dodson, while his teammate, Mike Davis (10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal) – presently undecided on his college home – noted “we just wanted to come out and have fun, run, get highlights”.

So concludes another Capital Classic. Though community support was not what many anticipated it would be, the evening provided good ball around (including the preliminary game, which saw the District All-Stars come from behind to defeat the Suburban All-Stars 149-131).

See you in 2008.