Triple Threat Ascending to Elite Status
Ron Bailey, Publisher
(lft to rt) Mike Wiliams, Chris Braswell, Mike Jones, Adrian Bowie, Shane Walker (back)
April 23, 2006 – During last weekend’s Charlie Weber Easter Hoop Fest AAU tournament, Triple Threat’s 17 and under team garnered one of that event’s championships by defeating a scrappy and talented bunch of Bingo’s All-Stars, 72-71. In that game, as they had all tourney, Triple threat showed the depth, skill, size, experience, and coaching requisite to establish an AAU organization as one of the best in the nation. The AAU circuit better prepare itself for another DC based AAU juggernaut.
Against Bingo’s All-Stars, a tired yet resilient Triple Threat group used a breakaway lay up from junior Adrian Bowie with five seconds left, and subsequent strategic late game fouling to hold on for victory. But it was their 56-50 win over perennial east coast AAU power, Sam Rines that illustrated just how dangerous a club they are.
Sam Rines AAU team
Against Rines, based in Philadelphia, Triple Threat rode the scoring exploits of Maryland-bound guard Jeff Jones (19 points) in the first half, and Bowie’s (16 points) exploits in the second. Their coaching staff, including head man Keith Stevens and the Smith Brothers – Charles and Curt – received steady, physical interior play from sophomore Chris Braswell (4 points) and senior Jeff Allen (6 points) throughout.
That production was necessary to offset the Morris twins. Marcus (17 points) and Markieff (5 points) are twin forwards capable of dominating action as they did this year in Pennsylvania high school, leading Prep Charter to a high school championship as juniors. Marcus operated primarily on the wing, attacking the rim from a number of different angles including the fast break, while also showing a propensity to bang down low. Markieff, slightly larger than his brother (6’8” versus 6’6”) is primarily an around the basket performer who thrives in a physical environment, is relentless on the boards, and is better than most young men at blocking shots.
Marcus (lft) and Markieff Morris
Coach Sam Rines, the organization’s name sake, also received a significant contribution from DC-area native Mark Caviness (8 points). This 6’5” swingman, who attended Oxon Hill High School and now preps at Philadelphia Lutheran played excellent defense, attacked the rim, and displayed his ever increasing perimeter skills. That included bringing the ball up the floor, and setting the offense; a welcome evolution for a player once primarily deployed around the basket due to his athleticism.
Caviness (left) and Braswell prepping to jockey for position
Triple Threat went into intermission leading 31-19, and after shooting guard Marcus Ashton’s (5 points) lay up after beating a Rines press, the lead stood at 11. The squad from Philly continued to trap, receiving big plays from forward Chris Lighting (7 points) and Caviness, but could never get over the proverbial hump created by Triple Threat’s individual and team defense, as well as that team’s poise under pressure.
Keith Stevens coaching 'em up
Both teams will jell and make serious noise down the AAU season’s stretch. In post game interviews, both Stevens and Rines indicated their team’s were physically tired due to playing around six games in two days, and that practice time was needed from a team standpoint. As Stevens supplied, “We are still trying to get team chemistry…the hardest thing is getting into the gym and learning that”. That will improve for both squads, and when the second NCAA Division I recruiting session begins in the summer, they should be hitting their stride. For Triple Threat, that will mean joining the powerhouse AAU crews.