VA Holds Its Own vs. Nation In Hoop Magic Showcase
Mark F. Gray, SportsGroove Radio Show and Media Personality
January 20, 2009 - Since Hoop Magic first opened its doors, Curtis Symonds and his team have been trying to bridge the gap amongst high school and AAU basketball teams from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. After the success of last summer’s Agent Zero elite AAU Tournament, Hoop Magic was finally able to attract 12 high school and prep teams “to the other side of the water” for its first high school showcase.
The NOVA vs. The Nation Showcase featured six games with 12 of the metropolitan areas blue chip prospects who have already signed with major college programs for an entire day of action. While Northern Virginia’s talent pool isn’t regarded nationally as highly as the hotbed that is Prince George’s County, the Commonwealth held its own by splitting the six games with more heralded teams from the District and Maryland.
“This just goes to prove that teams on this side of the water can play with those teams from D.C. and Maryland,” said Symonds. “Now when college recruiters start looking for talent in this area they better spend some time over here as well.”
During the day long event approximately 3,000 fans braved the inclement weather on a day where the NFL Playoffs were on television during the first full weekend of the New Year. However, fans got more than they bargained for with a fiercely contested schedule featuring games decided by an average of less than five points.
In the opener Eleanor Roosevelt started cold and trailed by as much as 14 in the first half to C.D. Hylton. However, the Raiders pulled close with a 10-2 run over the last three minutes of the second quarter behind senior Lasan Kromah. Kromah led Eleanor Roosevelt with a game high 21 points and jump started their 14-0 third quarter run as they took control and held on for a 64-61 win. The Bulldogs were led by Darryl Patterson who scored 19.
For Princeton Day Academy Coach Van Whitfield finding elite competition without benefit of a conference is a difficult task. However, the Storm took advantage of their opportunity by dismissing Word of Life Christian 74-62. Seniors Brandon Gibson and Derrious Gilmore were too much for the Ambassadors combining for 43 points with Gibson scoring a game high 24.
Arkansas bound Marshawn Powell led the Miller School from Charlottesville to Chantilly to face an Archbishop Carroll team that is still a work in progress. Powell, used his full repertoire – drives to the basket, pull ups, and explosive finishes off the fastbreak – as they held off a game challenge from Lions who fell 75-69. Sophomore Kemy Osse’ led Carroll with 17 though Powell was clearly the best player on the floor and the difference in the game.
Four major college prospects met at center court when Bishop McNamara carried the banner for the Washington Catholic Athletic Association into their matchup with Atlantic Shores from Chesapeake. The Mustangs were led by Pittsburgh signee Talib Zanna and George Mason recruit Rashad Whack who scored 18 points apiece. However, the Seahawks duo of Oklahoma bound Steven Pledger – who scored 26 - and Duke signee Andre Dawkins – who added 24 - were too much for McNamara who fell 69-61.
Erick Green, Jr. did his best to lead Paul VI but unfortunately none of his teammates followed against Riverdale Baptist. Green, who has already committed to Virginia Tech, scored 20 points but only Dominic Sanders joined him in double figures with a pedestrian 10 points. Meanwhile, Javorn Farrell – who has already committed to Massachusetts – scored a game high 22 and Brian Wilson added 18 to lead the Crusaders to a 57-54 victory.
As Woodbridge and Calvin Coolidge met in the event’s finale, the
teams got a crash course in NBA scheduling and tournament play. On the
second night of a back to back and in the midst of three games in three
days for the Colts, both teams were sluggish in the beginning. However,
the Vikings found their legs in the form of senior Raphael Putney –
who already committed to UMass – who led them with 20 points on
a variety of finishes in transition to lead them past Coolidge 64-62.
The Colts stayed close behind guard Jeremy Underwood who scored 15 but
Andre Mattison was absent finishing with just eight points.
Addendum:
A day after the event, Symonds commented further. "We had one of the best talent levels going on in the city". To that end, around 15 college coaches observed the precedings, including reruiters from ODU, Rutgers, JMU and other institutions, including Divsion II and III schools.
Expect more of the same next year, as Nova vs. The Nation will be operationalized as a yearly event going forward.
"We are going to show people we have the same level of players" as other jurisdictions, said Symonds. "Next year is being planned now".
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