God's Glory Keeps Pushing Forward
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Unsponsored 17u travel team boasts talent and racks up wins
July 21, 2009 - In travel team ball, many people focus on the well known teams, squads that are sponsored (read financially assisted) by shoe companies, as they travel to mostly big time events, and have players that are typically highly recruited. It is what it is.
But to solely focus on the name brand organizations is flawed, as good players exist throughout the travel team world. A crew you've likely overlooked is God's Glory.
Comprised of players that are mostly from D.C.'s inner high league and coached for years by Mike Harmon, God's Glory is similar to a family.
"I've had most of these guys for years" said Harmon of his bonds to to the team. "I've coached my son, Zalmico all his life obviously, and coached the others for many years": Donte Thomas, Lauren Coates, Phil Hawkins, and Marquis Gentry, along with of course Zalmico have been with him in some cases since the kid's were nine years old. They are all currently seniors in high school, or fourth year juniors. Other players like Antonio Jenifer came later, but are central to the team's success.
Donte Thomas can fill up the twine, and has been coached by Mike Harmon for years.
And God's Glory has managed much of that the last two years. "I don't think people give us the respect we deserve, we've won a whole lot" said Harmon, who also functions as mentor/advisor to his team. "Last year, we made the final four of West Virginia (a Hoop Group event), and the finals of the September Jam. We made Pittsburgh's final four, and did really well in the Fall Jamboree. We also won the Back 2 School Showcase and finished in the quarter finals of the Super Showcase.
"This year we got to the championship game in West Virginia, made Pittsburgh's final four, and the quarterfinals of the Southern Invitational, where we lost to CP3 by only four points, when they were blowing everybody out. We also made the finals of the Summer Classic and won the Montrose Christian Challenge".
"Our body of work for an unsponsored team is formidable", continued Mike, before noting the team will spend the end of July in Orlando, Florida, competing in the Super Showcase and AAU Nationals.
There has been much personal sacrifice and effort to keep the team viable on Harmons' part. To say he's committed to the effort is an understatement.
Why do it? "Because basically I grew up in the inner city and know how hard it is" said Harmon. "It became part of my life, and I couldn't sit back and allow these kids to get consumed by the streets".
Of course as with any team it comes down to the players, how they perform and receive coaching. Some of God's Glory's primary performers are:
Donte Thomas - 6'3", 185 lbs, G, Class of 2010, Ballou HS (DC) - Likely the best scorer in the Washington, DC area, Thomas likes to slash to the hole, increasingly pull up from deep, and find teammates as well.
According to Thomas "Hawaii, San Jose state and Rutgers" have offered, while the likes of St. Bonnaventure and Tulsa, amongst others are interested. Given his plan of attending prep school next year, Donte noted "I'm not going to make a (college) decision for a minute".
Zalmico Harmon - 5'11", 180 lbs, PG, Class of 2010, Ballou HS (DC) - Formerly at O'Connell (VA), Harmon has transferred to get playing time at his natural position, point guard, help lead Ballou to another DCIAA championship and enjoy the team's chemistry, a point he values. Already qualified by NCAA standards, Harmon plans on testing again "Just to try and get a better score". Per Zalmico, "American is interested" along with fellow Patriot League school Lehigh, plus "Mount St. Mary's, Niagara, and Maryland-Eastern Shore".
Harmon is a floor leader whose jumpshot improves as he is allowed to shoot more in game situations (a previous issue in high school). Solid defender and accepts coaching.
Gentry calls for the ball in Lemond League play
Marquis Gentry - 6'8", 200 lbs, C, Class of 2011, Ballou HS (DC) - "San Jose State, High Point and Maryland-Eastern Shore", along with St. Bonnaventure and others are monitoring Gentry, a mobile player that likes to finish around the tin, according to his coach.
When focused, Marquis can be a game changer, as displayed during the DCIAA championship; Gentry finished hard on the break, while also rebounding and scoring around the tin. Going forward, Marquis needs to be more consistently focused and to get stronger, which could happen in prep school after this season.
Phil Hawkins - 5'10", 190 lbs, G, Class of 2010, Eastern HS (DC) - A talented quarterback and defensive back, Phil can also play roundball; he can attack the rim and pull up from deep. Possessing unquestioned talent, Hawkins must decide to run his team consistently, which could lead to domination.
On the gridiron, Phil is getting looks from Clemson, West Virginia, North Carolina and Virginia Tech", while hardwood related interest is being received by Maryland Eastern Shore and other lower Division I programs. Harmon said the ideal school will "offer an opportunity in both sports which will broaden his opportunities".
Antonio Jenifer - 6'6", 180 lbs, F, Class of 2010, McKinley Tech (DC) - Schools like "UMass, VCU, Toledo" and others are interested in him, said Jenifer during Lemond League play recently. The first two schools have offered scholarships.
Jenifer scores from inside and out, but must get stronger and more aggressive to dominate in college.
Lauren Coates - 6'1", 185 lbs, PG, Class of 2010, Theodore Roosevelt (DC) - Coates excels in the open floor, where when he is clicking teammates are found with regularity for easy scores. Sometimes it seems as of Lauren doesn't trust his jumpshot, which he needs to do.
Binghamton and Morgan State have expressed interest in Coates, who for his senior year will return to gridiron and play football as well.