MD Invitational Champions
Ron Bailey, Publisher
September 17, 2007 – Charlie Weber’s Maryland Invitational concluded last weekend, with travel teams from as far as Canada traveling to the University of Maryland’s campus to compete. Though the event was not particularly large in scope, it did provide an opportunity to witness top notch high school age hoops action.
The event’s champions follow:
15 and under – GC Ballers/C.I.A./Team Bounce 53 Team Melo 46
The victors, a talented, big, bi-national GC/C.I.A./Bounce team hailing from Toronto, Canada and Buffalo, NY, wore down their spunky opponents from Baltimore, MD, via a balanced attack predicated on dribble penetration, cutting to the basket, and strong rebounding.
Leading the way to the win for coach Jeff Bishop was sophomore guard/forward Travan Prince (11 points) who played all over the floor, and sophomore swingman Kofi Mensah (11 points), a slasher of great athleticism and skill.
The GC Balleras/C.I.A./Bounce 15u squad.
Team Melo was paced by high flying sophomore Keith Jackson (12 points) and do everything freshman forward Jared Jones (7 points).
“I think we played well” opined Bishop of his team’s performance afterward. “It’s the GC-Canada team (highlighting this squad’s unselfishness). “I’ve been saying for awhile there is a lot of talent in Canada”.
Bishop went on to share the partnership between GC and the Canadian organizations C.I.A. and Bounce, will continue, with the long time GC Ballers coach using his broad experience in travel team ball to provide exposure and advice to the Canadian crew, while the Canucks will be able to expand their games in high level competition and receive excellent counsel.
Youth hoops world, watch out. They are coming.
16 and under – DC Assault 63 Pittsburgh Storm 58
(OT)
“It was a good team win”, noted Zach Suber after his DC Assault team’s extra period win over the Pittsburgh Storm. His analysis was right on target.
After achieving an 11 point, second half lead, the Storm crawled back into game via the play of junior guard Chris Klinchock (17 points) and junior guard Jeff Yunetez (13 points). Klinchock, the coach’s son, was electrifying penetrating to the basket and making things happen, either off layups, jumpers, or foul shots generated through contact.
Assualt's 16 and under team, in front of Maryland's Final Four floor display.
It was just such a play, that almost won the game for the Storm: With mere seconds remaining in regulation and after previously tying the ball game at 58 with a nice drop step move, Storm seven-foot junior center Zeke Marshall (7 points) rebounded a Klinchock miss – one generated by a jumper via dribble penetration – but missed the put back.
In overtime, Assault pressed on to grind out the win. Sophomore guard Ced Lindsey (12 points) was particularly effective in the open session, as he displayed offensive aggression, penetrating constantly. Suber shared afterward Lindsey’s penchant for driving to the cup is a constant, as “he always goes hard”, and that Ced benefited from “a little extra motivation” for this game, which paid dividends.
Throughout the contest, sophomore frontcourt performer Josh Hairston (19 points) was outstanding, not only battling Marshall tooth and nail, but finishing in fast break situations, pulling up for long jumpers, and passing the rock. He was joined by the sophomore backcourt tandem, of Tyler Thornton (9 points) – who played virtually the entire game running the show, directing traffic - and Blake Bozeman, (15 points) a young man who not only dropped his trademark outside shots, but made work hard for Klinchock down the stretch by applying good on ball defensive pressure.
This win proved not only should this Assault team, recently moved up from the 15 and under classification, should be a force next year; not only are they talented, but are a squad of team-oriented young guys.
“The MVP goes to the team” said Suber when asked to identify his best player during this tourney.
Sometimes, the strong just continue to get stronger.