DMV vs. Philly Challenge Yields Tie This Time Around
Ron Bailey, Publisher
[For player evals, see NBE Big East Report's DMV - PHILLY CHALLENGE, PART ONE and PART TWO]
October 13, 2008 – The DC/Baltimore and Philadelphia metro areas battled to a tie in Saturday’s DMV vs. Philly Challenge, leaving open the question as to which of the geographic areas owns high school aged, boys hoops bragging rights this year.
Over the course of the next several days, i95Ballerz.com and its partner, NBE Basketball Report will provide copious coverage of the event, which consisted of players in various high school classes competing against their counterparts from either Philly or the DMV (District/Maryland/Virginia).
Kenny Johnson, coach and principal of Team Takeover (DC), was instrumental in producing the DMV vs. Philly Challenge and expressed pleasure with the event, despite a number of logistical challenges. “One of my goals is to give back to the community” said Johnson of his motivation, which is also shared by Keith Stevens, also a Challenge co-producer as well as Team Takeover’s director. “It gives our players a chance to play with each other and against other good players without politics. It also gives people a chance to see many of these players for the first time” .
A shout out goes to the Capital Sports Complex, host facility of the Challenge.
Following are brief game reviews.
Freshman Game
Philly 46 DMV 45
Philly was able to pull away down the stretch, withstanding a DMV comeback. Leading the City of Brotherly Love guys was Maurice Watson, a 5’7” freshman point guard. Watson (Boy’s Latin), walked away with his the game’s MVP, and was joined by 6’2” wing guard Andre Horn (Roman Catholic) and 6’4” Damon Williams (Plymouth Whitemarsh), a forward, as the team’s top performers.
Maurice Watson could be headed for big things.
“What I try and do is early, get my teammates involved” said the slick passing Watson of his game plan. “Then I try and get to the line, and then I try and score”. Of motivating his teammates, as true point guards do, Maurice noted “You can’t get down on them all the time” as he provides both positive and negative feedback in team huddles.
The DMV was led by its MVP, 6’3” forward Joe Lundy (Friendship Collegiate), along with 5’10” Jamaal Brown (Sidwell Friends), a quick guard and 6’4” forward Kyle Locke (McDonough).
Sophomore Game
Philly 57 DMV 49
After a choppy, turnover filled first half, Philly forged ahead up with only one with around three and a half minutes to play. The culprit was largely depth, at all spots. Highlighting that point was the DMV’s Lundy, his freshman team’s MVP, having to suit up in this game as well.
Team Philly's Sophomore crew (John Johnson is first from bottom).
Game MVP went to Philly’s John Johnson (Girard), a lightening quick and athletic 6’1” guard. The phrase ‘he just makes plays’ more or less characterizes Johnson’s game. Joining him from the ‘Illadelph as standouts were 6’2” shooting guard Juanya Green (Archbishop Carroll), a slasher and scorer who can pat the rock, and 5’10” point gurad Joey Gripper (Abington Friends), a competitive, fast point man.
Leading the DMV and garnering its MVP honors was Mikail Hopkins (DeMatha), a 6’8” forward, who not only blocked shots but also ran the court well and displayed increased shooting proficiency. Kevin Smith (Freedom Academy), a tough, 6’2” offensive dynamo cannot be forgotten, as can neither the nasty fast break spin move he delivered. James Bourne (Bishop O’Connell) is rounding into a versatile 6’6” center/forward.