G L I D E H O Y A S: Kenner League Playoff Update 8/7/10

Former Hoya Mark Tillmon, Junior Burroughs (Virginia), and the Legendary Sherman Douglas in Kenner League action

GLIDE

It was indeed a great weekend of semi-final summer basketball at the Kenner League at Georgetown U with Team Takeover losing to A. Washington & Associates/Madness.73-66. A Wash, is team with more experience with international pros took advantage of the young Team Takeover. Team Takeover had a very successful summer league making it to the second round of the semi-finals A Wash, was led by Brian Chase (Italy), who played in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League for Golden State. Former George Mason Patriots/France pro Tony Skinn led A Wash with 14 points respectively. Hoya junior guard Jason Clark (12 points) led the charge for Team Takeover. Althought A Wash won the battle with experience the young Team Takeover show their hearts and courage and did not give up. The was great experience for the college players which they can take to the next level once their college seasons start.

The other semi-final matchup between Clyde's vs. Beyond Belief was another Kenner playoff classic with Isaiah Swann/Magruder, Oak Hill, Hargrave, Florida State, Israel putting down 38 points, with 12 three point bombs. Beyond Belief 70-57 over Clyde's. The young man was on fire and could not be stopped. The difference maker was former Maryland Terp star James Gist, who stopped through with defensive dominance blocking shots and scoring 7 big key points. Hoya senior big man Julian Vaughn came through with 14 points and many rebound on both ends of the court. Hoya sophomore Vee Sanford came away with 8 points in the contest. It was another great learning experience for the two Hoya players playing against the more experienced players. This will carry over with to the great upcoming season for the Hoyas.

It was Kenner Summer League championship Sunday with the high school divsion playing the first game DeMatha vs. Paul VI. DeMatha won 63-53 before a medium crowd at Georgetown's McDonough Gymnasium. The Panthers were hot early behind Stan Robinson (nine 1st half points ) and Jamal Robinson (6pts in the 1st half), who were able to help PVI jump out to an 21-15 lead late in the 1st half. In a game of freshman standouts, it was 6'7" BJ Anya (DeMatha), who would go on to steal the show. Anya followed a missed layup from James Robinson that ended in a huge putback slam over a Paul VI reserve. After that the Stags ended the 1st half on a 14-2 run and a boatload of confidence. Freshman guard Kelvin Howard (13pts) was almost as impressive, connecting on a four point play and shooting 5-7 from the field.

Anya who has a 7 foot 6 inch wingspan continued to impact the game on both sides of the court. When BeeJay (17pts) wasn't scoring , the 15 year old was altering shots , (5blks) and controlling the glass (9rebs). Anya is in great shape for his size, and looks as if he will be contending for the #1 spot in the 2013 Rankings , but we aren't sold just yet , on an undersized Paul VI opposition.

DeMatha vs. Paul VI

Kenner League High School Championship game

The Kenner League College/Pro Division game between A. Washington & Associates versus Beyond Belief was indeed a Kenner classic. With more than a medium sized crowd, it was hype atmosphere and the game went down to the wire with A. Wash/Madness winning on a last second shot by none other than who? Lazar Hayward from Marquette? Yes, that guy with the headband hit the winning shot in McDonough Arena. The score A Wash 70 Beyond Belief 67. Before the game I asked Lazar Hayward, "where's your headband man" he said he left it home, but he'll bring it next time.

After the game he dapped me up as he had done the night before when I saw him down at The Goodman League at Barry Farms, he was just chillin watching the game between the Goodman League All-Stars and the NYC All-Stars. He seems to be a nice young man, and I wish him all the success in the NBA. Oh, by the way he gave the Kenner League mad love. Okay Lazar, don't forget your headband next time, lol.

It was a battle of the the two most experienced teams in the Kenner League this summer. A Wash having pros such Donte Green (NBA), Tony Skinn, Brian Chase, Lazar Hayward, A Wash proved they were worthy of the championship victory. With Beyond Belief only having two notable pros Isaiah Swann and James Gist they proved just how scrappy they were all the way to the end. I had fun all Kenner summer year long and it was sad for me to see it end, but I can tell you one thing the James "Jabbo" Kenner Summer Memorial League started and ended with a bang!