Kenner Quarters: Thursday

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Higher seeds hold up.

August 6, 2010 – Last night the 2010 Nike Pro City Jabbo Kenner League’s playoff season commenced, with a slate of two games on tap. If they are a harbinger of things to come, hoops fans will be treated to great college/pro level hoops action this weekend.

After a lengthy delay brought about by a flash, violent storm in the Washington, DC area, Team Takeover took the floor against Team Turner, albeit shorthanded and under-uniformed – just six players were available at the delayed tip off, and the squad was swathed in only grey tee shirts and various shorts. In fact, Takeover was not full strength – with either players and coaches - until less than 10 minutes to go in the first half. It was then that the squad was also fully clothed in Team Takeover’s orange uniforms as well.

Dino Gregory shoots thru contact in the first half.

Early on Team Turner seemed intent on using their early size advantage, pushing the ball down low (for the record, their roster swelled later also). But Takeover nevertheless withstood that charge, and by the 2:25 mark led 26-19 after back to back buckets from GW University sophomore guard Lasan Kromah (12 points).

In the second half, Turner (the 8th seed) attempted to use its trademark full court defense, but to no avail, falling 59-42. Takeover, which as the first seed held serve, got 12 points from G’Town junior guard Jason Clark, while Bowie State sophomore swingman Dwayne Jackson dropped eight.

Turner received ten points from Maryland senior center Dino Gregory. Givon Crump, a junior Fresno State transfer from Baylor, chipped in eight.

The nightcap was more anticipated and rightfully so, as A. Wash/Madness and DC Legends entered playoff seeding fourth and fifth, respectively. Madness, boasts a roster of pros and semi-pros was deep and has a lineup capable of playing multiple styles, while Legends was populated last night primarily with college performers, with a notable exception.

Madness ended up prevailing 80-75, but Legends should be commended for narrowing a first half, double digit deficit to two with under a minute to go in the contest. Georgetown senior guard Chris Wright led Legends with 22 points, 14 in the second half – it was there Wright had determined Legends would rise and fall with him offensively. His Hoya teammate, junior forward Henry Sims finished with 14 points, while George Mason senior guard Isaiah Tate had 15 himself, including seven free throws. Mark Tillmon, an ex-Hoya player from the eighties that now is a part of NCAA basketball television broadcast teams, tallied nine.

Chris Wright launches a shot over baseline defenders.

Legends suffered that insurmountable deficit due to early hot shooting from Madness, with current international pro Brian Chase leading the way (20 points, 12 in the first half, all three pointers). NBA player Donte Green scored 12, most from the perimeter. International pro Andrew ‘Spongebob’ Washington provided some balance, dropping 11 points by driving and/or getting fouled.

It was Chase that sealed the game for Madness: Up 73-71 and following a Legends bucket, the ex-Virginia Tech standout drove as the shot clock was winding down, releasing a high floater off the glass before the shot clock expired and just over the outstretched hand of Sims, with around 35 ticks to play. He would also hit two free throws later.

Tonight, Clyde’s takes on Hoop Magic/6th Man in a 2/7 seed matchup, while Tombs and Beyond Belief are set for a 3/6 battle. Action starts at 7:15p.