Golden Child Again Meshes Caring With Hoops

Ron Bailey, Publisher

June 9, 2008 – Yesterday at D.C.’s Trinity College, the Golden Child Award Foundation Annual Charity Basketball Event concluded, bringing philanthropic support and basketball together. The event, a Washington-area staple for eight years and the brainchild of Bill Wright, generates financial support and awareness for a young person facing life altering challenges – this year’s designee being Olivia Anderson, a ninth grader from Silver Spring Maryland who has faced 13 surgeries due to being hit by a car.

Between the hoops action, Anderson was provided a monetary gift, of which she greatly appreciated. “I feel very happy, grateful, and blessed” said the Blair High School (MD) student, of the support shown her personally and situation generally.

Rising sophomore Star Breezelove is on the radar of major colleges nationally.

Wright, the event’s tireless organizer was only happy to help. “It’s about giving back to the kids” he shared. “We will do it as long as we have the support”. That assistance was provided not only by customers attending the event, but sponsors as well. Wright thanked them all, including “our main sponsors Safeware and Coca-Cola” along with D.C.-based promoter/club operator Marc Barnes, who Wright noted “is always a Golden Child contributor”.

Sunday boasted three games, all of which are chronicled below. If as Wright suggested “we expect bigger and better things” in the future, this Washington institution will again be a must-see event.

Girls Game
HD Woodson 54 Hoop Booth 45

Utilizing patience and basketball intelligence/training, HD Woodson (DC), coached by Frank Oliver, Jr. adjusted to Hoop Booth’s (VA) second half deployment of 3-2 and 2-3 zones and went on a 15-8 run over about four minutes in the second stanza, sealing their victory,.

“In terms of making adjustments, we work on that” said Woodson’s coach, an alumnus of Florida A & M University who has created a culture within that team that has propelled the DCIAA public school into a national-level power. “We have a lot of experience, and we make sure they are learning the concepts of the game”.

The HD Woodson Girls crew.

The team was led by Bernecia ‘Bee’ Pinckett (16 points) a rising senior swing player coveted by Central Florida, St. Johns, Delaware State, St.Francis (PA), and Marymount, along with rising 10 grade standout Star Breezlove (16 points), a point guard receiving looks from UNC, UCLA, Rutgers, and a slew of other high major schools.

With the victory, HD Woodson repeated as Golden Child champs. (for 2006 coverage, click here).

Leading Hoop Booth, a travel team specializing in skill development and improvement, was soon to be junior Asia Richardson (8 points), of guard of which Howard is interested, and rising sophomore guard Ashley Lambert (7 points), who is getting recruited by the likes of Delaware State, Brown, Lehigh, and Dartmouth.

Boys Game
Madness 72 Largo 66

Up five at halftime, Madness withstood a strong Largo comeback bid, extending a slim one point lead with little over three minutes in regulation to a 10 point advantage, with under a minute left.

“We were missing easy shots, and even transition opportunities said Madness’ coach, Sammy Briggs of his team’s early performance before continuing “We’re meshing everybody together. This is only the second or third game together ” .

Madness after their win.

Andre Mattison, a rising senior at Coolidge High School (DC) led all scorers with 25 points and garnered MVP honors in the process. Mattison showed he has worked on his midrange skills, while still rebounding, blocking shots, and defending. With his good grades, there is no wonder Harvard has inquired.

Rising sophomore Bruce Littles (11 points), a teammate of Mattison at Coolidge, awed those in attendance with his high flying performance.

Leading Largo was Richaud Richardson, who provided 16 points, and Aaron Martin, who dropped 11 points, while also defending and rebounding. Both are rising seniors.

Pro Game
AWash 122 Madness 116

Many times summer games with professional and semi-pro players, are not the most exciting or well played affairs – too many times guys just try and ‘get theirs’ with the quality of play suffering.

Not here, as AWash, who recently has frequently taken losses to Madness, finally vanquished that particular dragon, and along the way displayed good pick and roll action, defense, and overall continuity.

Brian Chase and GCAF award winner, Olivia Anderson.

“This is the only team in tournaments we haven’t been able to beat” shared Brian Chase, a point guard veteran of several NBA franchises and the NBA’s Developmental League, after dropping 43 points in the win. For his perfomance, MVP honors were nabbed.

Chase, a D.C. native was unstoppable down the stretch, taking control of the game and willing his team to victory. “That’s what I wanted “said the soon-to-be member of the Atlanta Hawks’ training camp, of the responsibility heaped upon his shoulders. Chase not only displayed his trademark three point shot, but also drove and dished with aplomb.

A. Washington, also known as ‘Spongebob’, himself a veteran of international ball provided 28 points –scored mostly in transition or out of low post settings. Spongebob also provided vocal leadership.