Weber DC Hoop Fest Results
Ron Bailey, Publisher
April 22, 2008 – Sunday saw Charlie Weber’s DC Hoopfest conclude, with travel teams from across the East Coast competing and thrilling onlookers. If there was a state winner, undoubtedly North Carolina took the crown, with teams from that state taking two of the four titles. Washington, DC and Richmond-based squads took the other titles that day, at Gallaudet University.
For the 15 and under title, Squires Richmond (VA) nipped the Long Island Lightning (NY) 56-53, in a fast paced contest. The Squires were led by Quage (15 points), and super-quick point guard, Calen (6 points). Forward Murphy (13 points) and his teammate Luctoay (9 points) paced the Lightning (apologies to those players and our readers, as the media packet received did not include 15 and under team rosters).
NC Raptors Select took another title.
Such information was available for the 16 and under division, yet was somewhat unnecessary, given the NC Raptors becoming a household name in the D.C. area, having won the DC Metro Showcase recently. This event was no different, for the Raptors, coached by Tony Edwards mercy-ruled all their opponents, including Positive Image (PA) in a 59-38 thrashing (if a team faces a 20 point deficit late in the fourth quarter, the contest is stopped, or mercy-ruled).
Melvin Tabb, a 6’8” forward (14 points) again showed why he is a very promising sophomore, as he dunked, ran the floor, and defended. Freshman Dezmine Wells (13 points) also impressed by attacking the rim and sinking jumpers.
Positive Image was led by sophomore guards Kenny Johnson’s 15 points, and Warren Gillis III’s 14. Both are guards in the Philly tradition: tough, able to defend, and fearless.
“We had some guys to step up and hit some three point shots; we probably had 10 three pointers” mused Julio Williams, NC Raptors assistant coach of the championship win.
Now for the 17 and under divisions: First, another Tarheel State crew, the Chris Paul All-Stars, who defeated the Richmond Squires 63-48 in a very physical, intense District division final game. Chris Paul, a team marked by a deep bench containing many long, athletic players, used that depth to secure the win.
“We did feel like we had an advantage with our depth” noted Andy Poplin, the team’s coach. Resultantly, he would substitute anywhere from three to five players at a time, tiring a big, physical Richmond Squire crew.
Josh Pitman has gained a slew of attention from mid majors, and their high major counterparts are now calling.
Chris Paul’s scoring was consequently balanced, with junior guard Josh Pitman dropping 11 points, while 6’6” sophomore forward Tashawn Mabry supplied 10. Pitman, a crafty, sweet shooting guard and Mabry, an athletic slashing forward were also greatly aided by junior forward Kevin Powell (6 points), a 6’7”, 200 pound pogo-stick player willing to attack the rim against bigger, stronger players.