MNHC is Kingdom of the Pharaohs

Ron Bailey, Publisher

The squad from Rocky Top gets it done.

December 31, 2009 – One of the most successful teams in recent Memphis high school basketball, last night replicated their success in Upper Marlboro, MD, as Raleigh-Egypt downed host Wise High School (4-3), 74-67, in Maryland National Hoops Classic final action. The Pharaohs were led by the senior duo of Diere McElroy and Ron Brown, suppliers of 20 points, 18 rebounds, four rebounds, and 19 points, 14 caroms, respectively.

Raleigh-Egypt employed a 2-3 matchup zone for most of the second half, after toggling between that and zone, with much success; soon after deploying it in the third quarter their one point loss was turned into a six point lead. What’s interesting is that alignment was installed but three weeks ago in response to injury concerns.

Ron Brown gets to the cup in the first half.

Senior forward Rashad Harris (20 points, six rebounds, two steals) was very active during this period, slashing on offense and scoring in open court situations. Both Brown and McElroy were impactful then as well.

Daryl Traynham, Wise’s senior floor leader dropped 29 points, three rebounds, one assist and four steals, while also proving his court savvy once again: Traynham consistently drew fouls on Raleigh-Egypt players, including the fourth assessments on both Brown and McElroy. His play, as well as an effective 2-2-1 full court trap backed by a 2-3 zone, plus overall scrappy effort, allowed the Pumas to get within two at 58-56.

Raleigh-Egypt would not falter down the stretch hitting several foul shots to secure the title.

In the third place game, San Diego’s Hoover High School erased an early 10 point deficit, gaining its first lead with 4:45 to play in the third period. A 9-2 run produced a 42-34 advantage for the Cardinals, with pressure defense being a catalyst.

Friendly High School (3-3) didn’t fold, as the Patriots tied the game at 50, having an opportunity to win in regulation: Possessing the ball with around a minute and a half to go, Friendly decided to shoot the last shot, but executed badly. The sequence produced only a blocked shot by Hoover’s junior pivot man, Angelo Chol (12 points, five rebounds, four assists and eight blocks).

Angelo Chol posts early in the ball game.

During overtime, junior swingman Dame N’Daiye scored several times, including canning a three-ball and mid range shot, the last giving Hoover a 55-52 lead. He contributed 23 points and 11 boards overall.

Junior guard Sherrod Baltimore’s three pointer, his seventh point of the game, gave the Patriot’s a chance with 32.6 seconds left in extra time, as they then only trailed 59-57. Unfortunately the team would not score again. Final tally – 63-57, Hoover.

Junior Davon Morton led Friendly with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a pair of steals. Also demanding notice was Baltimore, who played despite recuperating from oral surgery Tuesday, medical intervention necessary due to an injury sustained on the Maryland National Hoops Classic’s first day. Four dimes were provided in addition to his seven points.

All MNHC

Per Classic organizers, the following players were tabbed All-MNHC

Angelo Chol, Hoover (CA)
Dame N’Daiye, Hoover (CA)
Antonio Harris, Jeb Stuart (VA)
Davon Morton, Friendly (MD)
Daryl Traynham, Wise (MD)
Antonio Smith, Coolidge (DC)
Ron Brown, Raleigh-Egypt (TN)
Diere McElroy, Raleigh-Egypt (TN)