Triple Threat Grinds to Impressive Victory

Ron Bailey, Publisher

September 25, 2007 – The newly promoted 17 and under Triple Threat boys travel team added another feather in its cap this past weekend, by capturing the Crab City Classic’s tournament title. The crown was secured via a 65-49 victory over perennial powerhouse DeMatha Catholic.

Triple Threat’s coach, Ron Winbush, was happy with the final game’s outcome. “The championship went well” furnished the coach, who also serves as an assistant at Washington, D.C.’s, St John’s College High School. “The team was ready for the challenge of playing a local icon in DeMatha. It really doesn’t matter when or what type of event it is, teams are going to rise to the occasion to try and beat them. Fortunately the kids came ready to play, and they were really pleased with their effort. I was too”.

The 17 and under division has been good for this group of players, as since the majority of them were promoted from the 16 and under ranks, they’ve garnered two consecutive titles in back to back events; Hoop Magic’s Back To School Showcase and the Crab City Fall Classic.

Winbush shared his feelings why: “The 17 and under team works extremely well together. The collection of players on this team makes the time you pun in worthwhile, because they listen, they want to be coached in that they want to get better and more importantly, and they want to WIN! There is no selfish aspect to this team in anyway”.

DeMatha was paced by newcomers junior guard/forward Najee Hibbert’s 16 points, and sophomore guard Josh Selby, who dropped 8. Leading Triple Threat was 24 points from junior center, Deonte Boyd, while junior guards Erick Green and Mo Creek provided 12 and nine respectively.

Winbush agreed with this writer, that Creek was his team’s MVP over the course of the tournament, before adding “He is a really fine player with remarkable skills. Everyone knows what Mo brings to the table on offense, but what most don’t know, but will soon find out, is he takes more pride playing defense than the does offense”.

All in all, the Crab City Fall Classic was a memorable event, as it provided many younger travel team players an opportunity to play older competition, while high schools were afforded the chance to compete against travel teams - widely believed to be more talented as they pull from a much wider talent pool.

Arize Ifejika, Tournament Director at Hoop Magic Sports Academy and in integral part of the Crab City Fall Classic, was pleased with the tourney, stating “It was a very competitive tournament with a lot of upsets”, before adding “I enjoy volunteering my services for a tournament because I do it for the kids and not the money”.

Which can be said for the vast majority of adults involved with young basketball, including Crab City Fall Classic organizer, Carlton “Bubb” Carrington”, and the litany of coaches, managers, and parents involved with travel team hoops generally and this tourney specifically.