District All-Stars Fight Back for Cap Classic Victory

Coach Haniff Hill, of the victorious District All-Stars

April 14, 2006 – Last night, George Washington University’s Smith was the site of the 33rd Annual Capital Classic High School All-Star Game’s events. Those in attendance were treated to a high scoring preliminary game, in which the District All-Stars fought back from nearly a 20 point second quarter deficit to eventually prevail, 124-117 over the Suburban All-Stars.

The comeback came methodically after the Suburban All-Stars led 25-19 at the end of the first quarter, and extended their scoreboard cushion to 18 by the second quarter’s 5:38 point, primarily by scoring fast break baskets via leak outs. This included pull up jumpers by Joshua Brown (17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 steals) and Mike Lewis (13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 steals), as well Domonic Trawick’s (10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists) nice dunk.

During the second half, Coach Hanif Hill (Cardozo High School) primed his District All-Star team to come back, and they responded, eventually erasing a 13 point half time deficit. “I told them the game is played in the second half” he recounted. “We let them have their run in the first half, but and we just build our momentum in the second half”.

That momentum was built via advancing the ball rapidly up the floor. Hill revealed their plan was to “push the ball up” and the Suburban squad “would have trouble getting back (on defense)”. Evan Baker (18 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals) and Benjamin Thomas (19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks) were key to the effort.

Despite only scoring two points collectively in the first half, these two young guys came out after intermission ready to play. In fact, it was their highlight reel play with 4:52 that gave the District All-Star’s their first lead of the game at 66-64: Thomas emphatically blocked a shot, while Baker corralled the loose ball. Evan flew down court, only to deliver a nice pass to a lane-filling Thomas, who threw down a monstrous dunk. For their exploits, the two would be named to the 2006 Capitol Classic all-event team, being teamed with three players from the second game.

After the contest, Baker, when asked about his play, responded “I just knew I had to do, what I had to do. This was an all star game, so we were trying to have a fast paced game…I had a big man (Thomas) so I was dishing like crazy, and he was finishing”.

Suburban All-Star Chris Mast (12 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal) attributed the game’s second half turnaround to a lack of effort, in which his team “just slacked off and took them lightly”. He would admit the difference in play of his team between the halves “does trouble me” and said “I wish we could have just finished it off”.

Mast’s coach, Lewis Howard (Largo High School) agreed. He lamented this team’s letdown, congratulated Hill and his team, but also honestly shared his opinion of the outcome, saying “The best team doesn’t always win”.

Conversely, Thomas was pleased with his play, and appreciative of the opportunity to perform. “It was fun, I enjoyed it. I am glad I got selected to play” he said. Similar sentiments were expressed by Jean Cajou (12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists), who also got into the District All-Star’s fast break parade, as witnessed when he received a dish from Baker to score on a contested lay up, giving his team a 83-81 lead – one in which they would never relinquish and methodically expand.

Many of these young men will be playing somewhere next year, whether that destination is a college, junior college, or prep school. They are hardworking, talented young people who have represented themselves and their families well on and off the court in high school. That trend will definitely continue in college and beyond. Hats off to all the 2006 Capital Classic’s District vs. Suburban All-Star Game’s participants from i95Ballerz.com.

Chris Mast at the line

Coach Lewis Howard of the Surburban All-Stars