Young Works Hard Across the Board this Spring/Summer
Ron Bailey, Publisher
(Page 2)
Garvey Young is a multi-skilled guard capable of playing both backcourt positions in high school and college. At Georgetown
As indicated before, Garvey felt he grew after participating. “It was great on and off the court” he said. In addition to the staff reinforcing to campers that “we can succeed” in life, Young thought P.L.A.Y. “taught us discipline. We were up at seven, and didn’t get to sleep until 11pm”.
As a player, Garvey feels he has increased his jump shot’s consistency, as well as his ability to play point guard and overall strength this spring/summer. Given his sinewy physique, many observers have indicated a need in Young to get stronger, and he has and is taking it to heart; despite being in down period in competitive basketball, Garvey not only performs skill drills, but works specifically on strength, everyday, including “Two sets of 25 pushups, morning and night”.
In the midst of AAU/travel team and camp commitments, Young also played with Georgetown Prep’s summer League team, when possible. He felt that the experience, though personally brief because of his other commitments, allowed the team “to jell better”. Garvey primarily played point guard and shooting guard for Prep this summer, and was voted to the Kenner League’s upperclassman all-star team for his exploits (no small feat, as that team league boasted more than 10 high major prospects this year)
Young’s coach at Georgetown prep, Dwayne Bryant, continues to be impressed by his star player: “He has been our leading scorer for the last two years and he has been able to do it in a lot of different ways. It almost as if he was built to play basketball. He has a knowledge of the game that goes beyond his youthful 16 years of age…you look at the box scores you see 18 points 7 rebounds 5 assist and 6 steals and you say ‘Man I didn't realize that’”. (Click here for previous i95Ballerz.com article on Young).
Dwayne Bryant (left), G'Town Prep's coach and Young prepare for the IAC championship last season.
This season, Garvey wants to improve upon last year’s 22-4 Georgetown Prep record. To effectuate that desire, Young will eschew soccer this fall, deciding instead to “concentrate on basketball”. Bryant plans to strengthen Garvey’s ball handling through performing “ball handling drills in game type situations”, using “cones, chairs, and whatever other aid we can come up with”. From a shooting perspective, G’Town Prep’s coach shared “The big thing is that he will be in the gym for the entire fall (as a result of giving up soccer) so we can get a good long look at his mechanics to make sure he stays consistent on every release”.
Young for one, stated “I just want to win” this season. Exhibiting the mindset that drove Bryant to opine “What makes him a very special player is that he is extremely unselfish”, Garvey sated “ I want to be undefeated if possible”, and “I’ll do whatever it takes”; whether that be scoring a lot, a little, or playing whatever position is necessary to secure victory.
This season, in addition to taking “Dr. Ochs”, the US History teacher he labeled “the hardest at Georgetown Prep” and one “everybody has to go through” to graduate, Garvey will once again lead the school in the perennially challenging Interstate Athletic Conference, in addition to out of league games versus Gonzaga, St. Johns, and Good Counsel – all Washington Catholic Athletic Conference teams. Prep also plans to participate in a high profile holiday tournament in Hawaii.
Expect Garvey Young to shoot, defend, and run the show again for Georgetown Prep this year.
While he is taking Dr. Ochs, traveling to and practicing for games, or leading the Prep attack on the floor, rest assured colleges will continue to evaluate him: It’s par for the course when you are 6’4”, can play multiple positions, defend, are unselfish, and have earned a good G.P.A. from a challenging school. During the interview, Garvey identified “Georgetown, George Mason, Boston College, and Notre Dame” as schools that have scouted him. His father, John Young, subsequently added Virginia Tech to the mix, as well as “Clemson, Penn State, VCU, GA Tech” and Richmond, while Bryant shared UConn has also shown interest.
Garvey does not have a leader in terms of college. He also stated “I don’t know when” a commitment would be made, given he is still gathering information about schools, and is “not in a rush”.
His father has put the responsibility on his son to make the best decision, as he’s confident in the job he and his wife, Felicia, have done. “I don’t have to go to the school” said the elder Young, then adding “Of course I’m going to recommend he visit it”, and monitor the recruiting process. According to Garvey’s dad, who also functions as Maryland Madness’ Manager of Basketball Operations and board member, his son will make a decision “As soon as he finds the right situation”.
Right now, in the lull between the end of spring/summer ball and the start of school, Garvey will continue to enjoy the pleasures of a high school student’s summer, including “Going to the movies”, participating in outings with his family, and even dealing with his sister Camille - herself a standout volleyball athlete - who he laughingly revealed gets on his nerves “all the time” (some what would state that is the purpose of sisters).
Being the level headed, intelligent young guy he is, Garvey will make the right decision, when it avails itself. Until that time, expect him to continue working hard in the classroom and on the hardwood.
The next time you hear someone bemoan America's young people and educational system, and the ineffectiveness of summer break, point them in the directrion Garvey Young. He is the antithesis of that position: Not only did he compete against high level competiton nationally and attend P.L.A.Y., but also spent two weeks at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN, earning two college credits in the process.
Check back with i95ballerz.com for updates on Garvey Young.