DC Metro Showcase’s Championship Day Doesn’t Disappoint
Ron Bailey, Publisher
March 26, 2007 – As the first AAU/travel circuit event of 2007 in the Washington, DC area, the DC Metro Showcase promised to not only allow teams from 15-under to 17-under a vital opportunity to fine tune their lineups in preparation for the upcoming season, as well as provided onlookers a chance to view and assess the team’s rosters.
It was successful in both endeavors. Following is a recap of the championship action.
15-Under Title – Westchester Hawks 53 MD Hurricanes 49 (2OT)
Butch Grave’s Westchester Hawks (NY) team was able to outlast a game and sharp shooting bunch of Maryland Hurricanes (MD), to eek out a double overtime victory.
Leading the Hawks were Paul Billbo (15 points), Patrick Walters (13 points) and Jordan Bronner (16 points).
“It was two to three points (difference) over the whole game. That team we played from Maryland played very tough” said Graves of his opponents. “Our guys gutted it out. We did well.”
Westchester Hawks' 15-under team
The Hurricanes saw Ricardo Gaddy (15 points) and Tim Smith (10 points) pace their team in scoring, along the way sinking key shot after key shot.
That the Hawks were able to prevail in such a hotly contested game should be of no surprise, as many members of this team competed together in the 14-under category last season, and as such are seasoned.
“We have played in close games previously”, indicated their coach, Graves, who went on to note “It’s the first in many tight games” during this long, AAU/travel team season.
16-Under Title – Triple Threat Blue 44 Jammers 39
Triple Threat’s Blue (D.C. area) squad prevailed in a low scoring affair against the Jammers (Montgomery County, MD). The team’s third year coach, Alex Goins, used his squad’s strength to secure the victory.
“We pressured them” he shared. “They couldn’t handle the ball under our pressure”.
Triple Threat Blue 16's and under team.
Devon Cole (10 points) and Delonte Boyd (7 points) led Goins’ team, while the Jammers enjoyed significant contributions from Arthur Bell (14 points) and Victory Gray (8 points).
Goins coaches, and his charges play, motivated basketball. “Our guys are underrated” he said. “They just get it done out there…and proved it today”.