ESBC provides top level HS all star action

Ron Bailey, Publisher

All star action is coming to Verizon Center, Sunday.

March 15, 2011 - What if somebody told you there is now a high school senior all-star event in the D.C. area, one in which talented boys and girls in their final year of high school take the Verizon Center this Sunday after Washington's pro franchise plays. The response would likely be, enthusiastic, yet may sound too good to be true.

It isn't. Brace yourself for the Elite Showcase Basketball Classic, Sunday, March 20th.

“The purpose for creating the ESBC is to bring an annual national post-high school showcase event to our nation’s capital that has some of the premier players in the country participating" said ESBC President and founder of VA Elite Hoops, Thomas Gadson. He went on to note they have "partnered with the Verizon Center, NBA Washington Wizards and the WNBA Washington Mystics to provide a platform to showcase the game in the main gym".

On Sunday, the boy's game starts at 330p, while the girls take Verizon Center's floor at 4:45p. Tickets can be purchased through Maria Giovannetti at 202.527.7512 or mgiovannetti@monumentalsports.com by noon on Friday, March 18, taking care to mention VA Elite Hoops. Any ticket requests after that time must be purchased through Ticketmaster or by at the box office, the day of the game. Attendees to the preceding Wizard’s game versus the Nets will be afforded an opportunity to enjoy this contest for free.

Durand Johnson comes back home to the DC/B'More area for EBSC play.

In addition to on-court play, the inaugural EBSC will honor "former Harlem Globetrotter and American pioneer, Boid Buie" per Gadson, who also shared "Mr Buie was a graduate of Tennessee State University, member of the Harlem Globetrotters and later went on to own his on professional basketball team" .

The games' rosters follow, including name, height, high school and future college home.

Boys

(North)

Brandon Mobley, 6-9, St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy, Wisc., Undecided
Daniel Gomis, 6-9, Oak Hill Academy, VA, Oregon State
Darion Atkins, 6-8, Landon H.S., MD, Virginia
Durand Johnson, 6-7, Brewster Academy, NH, Pittsburgh
Gregory Lewis, 6-9, St. Frances Academy, MD, Rutgers
Jabril Trawick, 6-4, Abington Friendship School, PA, Georgetown
Jordan Omogbehin, 7-2, Atlantic Shores Christian School, NC, South Florida
Marcus Thornton, 6-3, Bishop McNamara H.S., MD, William & Mary
Nick Faust, 6-6, Baltimore City College H.S., MD, Maryland
Ryan McTavish, 6-4, South Carroll H.S., MD, Presbyterian
Shaquille Stokes, 5-11, Lincoln High School, NY, Undecided
Sim Frazier, 6-0, Maury H.S., VA, Howard

(South)

C.J. Barksdale, 6-8, Hargrave Military Academy, VA, Virginia Tech
Deng Leek, 6-10, Wesleyan Christian Academy, NC, Western Kentucky
Greg Whittington, 6-9, Oakland Mills H.S., MD, Georgetown
Jermaine Sanders, 6-4, Boys and Girls, NY, Cincinnati
Julian Debose, 6-4, Saint John's H.S., Washington, D.C., Rice
Keith Hornsby, 6-4 Oak Hill Academy, VA, North Carolina-Asheville
Kris Walden, 6-1, Henrico H.S., VA, Towson
Malik Nicholas, 6-4, Boys & Girls H.S., NY, Hofstra University
Marquis Rankin, 6-1, Hargrave Military Academy, VA, Virginia Tech
Shaquille Thomas, 6-6, NIA Prep, NJ, Cincinnati
Taylor Abt, 6-8, Georgetown Prep School, MD, Holy Cross
Treveon Graham, 6-4, Saint Mary's Ryken, MD, Virginia Commonwealth

(North)

Achiri Ade, 6-1, Seton Keough School, James Madison
Akilah Bethel, 6-0, Academy of the Holy Cross, MD, West Virginia
Cheyenne Brown, 5-9, Springbrook H.S., MD, Howard
Ciara Webb, 5-8, Patterson H.S., MD, Towson
Crystal Leary, 6-1, Lake Taylor H.S., VA, West Virginia
Erin Meador, 5-10, Centreville H.S., VA, Naval Academy
Jazmon Gwathmey, 6-2, Liberty H.S., VA, James Madison
Kiana Trice Hill, 6-3, Oak Hill Academy, VA, Virginia Commonwealth
Linda Stepney, 5-8, Lake Taylor H.S., VA, West Virginia
Mallory Jones, 6-0, Oak Hill Academy, VA, St. John's
Melanie Royster, 6-2, Elizabeth Seton, VA, Virginia Commonwealth
Taylor Brown, 5-8, Bishop McNamara H.S., VA, Georgetown

(South)

Alyssa Albanese, 5-8, Elizabeth Seton, N.J.I.T.
Ashley Lambert, 5-7, Riverbend H.S., VA, UMBC
Destiny Shearin, 6-0, Osbourn Park H.S., VA, Towson
Joy Caracciolo, 6-1, Stonewall Jackson H.S., VA, Boston College
Margaret Morrison, 5-8, Archbishop Spalding H.S., MD, Vanderbilt
Melanie Mocniak, 5-11, Saint Mary's H.S., MD, Mount St. Mary's
Meredith Mesaris, 5-11, Fairfax H.S., VA, American
Necole Sterling, 5-11, Stonewall Jackson H.S., VA, Indiana
Shaquila Curtis, 5-8, Archbishop Spalding H.S., VA, American
Siobhan Beslow, 5-11, Westfield H.S., VA, La Salle
Talisha Watts, 6-2, Brookville H.S., VA, George Mason
Zora Stephenson, 5-10, Oakton H.S., VA, Elon University

Come join the fun, see the stars of tomorrow and become part of the process.