Chavez prevails in wild affair

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Last second shot secures sweep of Friendship Collegiate (DC) by Chavez (DC).

February 15, 2011 - Richard England Boys and Girls club was the site. Monday was the day, and Northeast, D.C. rivals Cesar Chavez and Friendship Collegiate locked horns. The scene was hot, as were were the chicken tenders and French fries being served. In the end, Chavez was just a little hotter, prevailing 66-63.

This contest was textbook rivalry, one where schools just go at each other; from the outset, both teams attacked one another on both sides of the floor. Defensively that included Chavez' 2-1-2 zone press, in which they routinely trapped from. That scheme was central in the Eagles leading Friendship 53-45 with little time expended in the fourth quarter.

Devin Shuler going up for a second half layup.

Friendship had a press of their own - all five players would pack the forecourt, scrambling and trapping - the end result being multiple Chavez turnovers. Within a minute left in regulation, senior Friendship guard DaQuan Vaughn's (20 points) three pointer made his school's comeback complete, as they led 63-61.

Drama then ensued: Chavez' senior guard, DiQuan Coleman (10 points) calmly sank a pair of free throws, knotting the score. Soon thereafter sophomore guard Devin 'Lil' Scrappy' Shuler scored his 17th, 18th and 19th points on a gutsy, if curious play, as he raced down the floor and with an unimpeded path to the rim, pulled up for three. As the clock read 7.5 seconds in regulation, the nets swished. Friendship's subsequent last second shot rimmed off.

"I just felt it" said Shuler of his shot. "I caught it and let it go". Devin also acknowledged he wasn't acknowledging time and situation when doing so. Later he confided to head coach Malcolm Battle an expectation of receiving coaching during film study, accordingly.

Speaking of Battle, who left the game due to shortness of breath and disorientation, the Head Eagle is okay, having been checked that night by medical personnel. Expect his bird of prey stare to remain a fixture on Chavez' sideline, as they host Atlantic Shores on Friday, after which the WISE 8 tourney beckons. Chavez is 15-7 on the year.

Friendship (16-7) also received 11 points from junior forward Bhapoto Sawi, while sophomore Byron Ashe chipped in eight. Ideal (DC) and Spingarn (DC) are next.

This year, Chavez swept Friendship, carrying away Northeast, DC bragging rights in the process.