Assault/God’s Glory Takes Fall Jamboree

Ron Bailey, Publisher

October 21, 2008 – Hoop Magic’s Fall Jamboree tournament jumped off last weekend, pitting high school and AAU/travel teams against one another. Fittingly, the varsity championship represented just such a match up, with Assault/God’s Glory (A/GG) defeating a game and talented Colts crew, made up of student athletes from Calvin Coolidge High School (DC).

The final score, 47-43, was not decided until Antonio Jennifer (14 points) of A/GG’s earned and one opportunity with 1:21 to play in regulation. Prior to that, Coolidge’s Dereck “Dirky” Washington (21 points) almost brought the Colts to victory through drives to the cup, three point jumpers, and deft passes to open teammates. A win would have ensured back to back Fall Jamboree crowns for the Colts.

Assault/God's Glory with the winning hardware.

“I don’t think we played with enough heart” said Washington afterward, who throughout the second half ran nice high pick and roll sets with Andre Mattison (6 points).

A/GG enjoyed stabilizing performances from two guards, Zalmico Harmon (8 points) and Dante Thomas (9 points); Thomas displaned poise in passing at the right moment out of post up scenarios, while Harmon grabbed his team’s controls down the stretch, running the show with aplomb, while also accepting the challenge of defending Washington.

“It was kind of everybody because we do a lot of talking” said Harmon, of his team’s obvious ability to withstand the Colt’s late charge. In terms of guarding the electric Washington, Zalmico noted “I wanted to check Dirky…When he hit two or three straight three pointers, my coach told me to”.

Loudon Elite's J.V. championship crew.

Junior Varsity Game:
Loudon Elite bested DC Vipers 61-49, leading by as much as 22 points in the first half. To their credit, the Vipers dropped 28 points in the second half.

Lukas Mihailovich and Zack Culver, both juniors at Potomac Falls (VA), distinguished themselves, along with Andre Evans for the Loudon Elite.

For upcoming Hoop Magic Sports Academy events, see www.HoopMagicSA.com.

Colts Recruiting Notes:

Andre Mattison, Sr. Forward, 6-6, 210 pounds – Will visit Florida Atlantic on the 30th of this month, and Dartmouth in November. Both have offered this smart, blue collar frontcourt man, who possesses a 3.9 GPA.

Budding big man Lou Stevens

Lou Stevens, Sr. Center, 6-8, 215 pounds – Howard, Bethune-Cookman, Hampton and Morgan State are recruiting Stevens, a long center with loads of potential.

Dereck ‘Dirky’ Washington, Sr. Guard, 6’0”, 160 pounds – Temple, Quinnipiac, Jacksonville, Kansas State, Morgan State and Florida Atlantic are presently expressing interest in Washington, a lightening quick combo guard that can both shoot and drive.