Team Workout Series: Ballou

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Ballou is ready to 'Do the Do' locally and nationally.

September 17, 2009 – Having come within seven points of winning its first ever City Title game last year, DCIAA champion Ballou has come into the 2009-2010 season focused and ready. Interestingly enough, the school’s program is doing so, while also changing and accepting new challenges.

First off, do the Knights feel pressure to repeat and garner its first City Title game (a contest that annually pits the inner high champion versus its WCAC counterpart)?

“We just continuously worked this summer, we don’t feel pressure” said fourth year assistant coach Doug Dormu, before a recent evening open gym (much of the team meets at 6:30a for cardio work also). “We added a few pieces to a group that have played together since they were eight or nine years old”.

Donte Thomas (dribbling) and Zalmico Harmon (defending) are pushing each other in workouts.

Those new student-athletes and Ballou’s existing core largely centers around the God’s Glory AAU team: Zalmico Harmon, Antonio Pittman and Christian Leach have all transferred to the Southeast, Washington D.C. school. Harmon (formerly of O’Connell) and Pittman (last year attending McKinley Tech) both played for God’s Glory on the travel circuit last year, while Leach, who attended Cooldige in 2008-2009 was one of the first God’s Glory players years ago, according to its coach and another Ballou assistant, Mike Harmon (Zalmico’s dad).

Dormu, whose brother Jenkins is Ballou’s head coach, went on to say of the group, “To be honest, if we had them last year, we would have beat DeMatha”.

The elder Harmon, buoyed by the experience, chemistry and talent Ballou’s roster boasts, indicated the Knights have upgraded their schedule, noting “We’re not thinking of (winning) the DCIAA (in terms of being Ballou’s primary goal). We’re focusing on preparing for a national schedule”.

If things occur as expected, the Knights will have put in major work before late February/early March, when the DCIAA convenes its playoffs and the City Title match up occurs.

“We open up with the DC-Baltimore challenge, then play KIMA (Washington charter school) on December 8th, and on the 12th we play City College at Hoop Magic” shared Harmon. Those games sandwich a contest at National Christian on the 10th.

“We leave to play on the 16th in the Mission Prep, pre-Christmas tournament in California” continued Harmon, before “going to Arkansas for a post-Christmas tournament”.

January jumps off with the Mayoral Cup in Baltimore (at Morgan State University), and DCIAA battles occur throughout that month. National Christian is seen again, this time being hosted January 29th. In addition to their league slate and playoffs, February sees the Knights match up with Riverdale Baptist away, and Montrose Christian at the University of Maryland.

A look at some of Ballou's players illustrates the staff's confidence in their ability to have success, competing in such a competitive schedule.

Donte Thomas, 6’3”, 190 pound senior guard – Probably the best all-around scorer in the D.C. area, when the Knights need a bucket, Thomas can get one. Rutgers, Hawaii, San Jose State, and Binghamton have reportedly offered Donte, while Xavier and West Virginia are interested. They’ll have to wait until after Donte attends prep school next year.

Zalmico Harmon, 5’10”, 180 pound, senior point guard – American, Lehigh, Niagara and schools in the Northeast Conference and Division II ranks are interested in Harmon. A solid pass-first point guard who loves to defend, Harmon is smart, has good grades, and is NCAA qualified. His spot up shooting has improved, and Zalmico is shaping up as a true team leader for Ballou.

Marquis Gentry, 6’8”, 220 pound, junior center – Gentry can block shots and score around the tin, which are amplified when he remains active, inclduding filling lanes. Headed to prep school next year, the likes of Xavier, St. Bonaventure, Arkansas, Arkansas-Little Rock, Drexel and others have shown interest. San Jose State has offered.

Christian Leach (patting), is here being guarded by Eugene Watkins. Both will have big roles for the 2009-20010 Knights.

Christian Leach, 6’2”, 200 pound, junior guard – Capable of scoring from the perimeter, driving, and finishing, Leach should be an excellent offensive complement to Thomas, as their presence will surely create opportunities for each other. Leach, who reportedly performs well in the weight room, is getting looks from George Mason, George Washington, St. Bonaventure and Ball State.

Antonio Pittman, 6’5”, 185 pound, senior forward – Pittman should also benefit from Ballou’s talented roster; he’ll be able to slash to the rim in addition to making the little plays, rebounding, and defending. Athletic, Pittman has drawn interest from Binghamton.

Eugene Watkins, 6’3”, 175 pound, senior guard – Since he now can provide minutes at both guard positions, Watkins has more opportunities to make plays all over the court, which is his wont. That includes shooting, shooting, dropping dimes, and strapping.

Anthony Livingston (shirt) is a load inside, and is being pressed by Marquis Gentry (left) and Antonio Pittman (right).

Anthony Livingston, 6’6”, 253 pound, junior forward – Livingston does all the little things, including clean the glass (when focused) and box out, but also possesses a nice shooting touch, one born from playing ball in his backyard growing up. In fact, this is only Anthony’s second year playing organized ball; his upside is tremendous. Maryland Eastern Shore and San Jose State have shown interest.

DeCarlos Baucum, 6’3”, 170 pound, sophomore guard – Probably the team’s wildcard, Baucum is already getting letters from St. Francis (PA), because he can score and is gutsy, including seeming to always be around the rock.