Young has banner night in IAC semi win

Ron Bailey, Publisher

February 16, 2008 – Garvey Young, a 6’4”, 185 pound senior guard headed to Vermont to play for that school’s basketball program next year has had a stellar career for Georgetown Prep (MD), impacting the school on and off the court. As his tenure their winds down, it’s apparent he’s intent on leaving with a bang.

Witness his performance in last night’s Independent Athletic Conference (IAC) playoff semi-final, 79-58 win over Episcopal (VA) last night as proof: Young was dominant, logging 31 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals, while also guarding one of the best, emergent juniors in the Washington area, Given Kalipinde.

“His defensive performance was most important” said Prep’s coach, Dwayne Bryant, when asked to assess Young’s impact (Kalipinde finished with 22 points, much of which was scored when the game was determined). Everybody knows Garvy’s a scorer, but what he gave us defensively was key”.

“I was just trying to play tough, man to man defense and pressure the ball early” noted Young, who was unfocused on his scoring numbers, responding earnestly “I did? I didn’t even know” when informed he set a career high in points produced.

From the outset it was apparent Young would probably put on a show, answering Kalipinde’s dunk with one of his own, then subsequently producing a steal that generated a nice fast break score.

Later, with the score a slim 17-13 Prep advantage, Young dropped in a three-ball and soon thereafter completed an and-one opportunity, which with the play of senior Alvin Tucker (14 points) and super-sophomore Markel Starks (19 points), helped the team to a 25-16, first half ending run.

Episcopal would never get closer than 13 points, as the onslaught continued; by Young’s third quarter-closing teardrop, Prep was up 65-44. Both teams ended up clearing their benches around six minutes later.

Any period to bask in the glory of defeating Episcopal, a team they split with in the regular season, is fleeting, given the Lil’ Hoyas’ (now 17-6 on the season) impending IAC tournament champion showdown with Bullis (the game is a 7:00 tip at St. Alban’s). That contest, and preparation for it was on the ‘Prepster’s minds.

“Yes, sir, that’s a big game” noted Starks of the contest which will serve up the league’s crown, one which is intensified as “Bullis beat us twice this year”.

Young took a different motivational tack, saying “I play hard every game we step on the court, the past is in the past, I just want to win” when asked if being swept by Bullis in the regular season further fueled his competitive fires. “I’ll be ready”.

While players such as Young shared they will return to campus, rest, and get ready for today’s match up, their coach, Bryant and his staff must be the ones who equip the team with the tools to win. As such, the former Georgetown University standout revealed his day will start “at seven (AM), when the staff “will get in and watch some tape of our games with them”, an act which will enable them to “put together a scouting report”.

From there, the team will convene around eleven or twelve, receive the coaching, return to their dorms and rest, before boarding the bus and arriving at St. Albans around five o’clock – truly no rest for the weary.

“We’ll be ready” said Bryant, who with a twinkle in his eye continued “I know for a fact they will be prepared” as that ultimately is what a coach can, with certainty, control.

There’s no doubt the ‘Prepsters will be both equipped to win, and based on Young et al’s performance, little concern the players won’t be dialed in to compete.