Gold Division - New England Playaz (12th Grade Division Champions)NE Playaz & DC Assault win 2007 Fall Jam Fest
By Theo Rabinowitz (Ballers All-Star Report)The championship game of the 12th grade division at the Hoop Group Fall Jamfest at Rutgers University featured the NE Playaz, coached by former Celtics coach John Carroll, against the Jersey Shore Warriors, a team comprised of several quality outside shooters. The game was tight throughout, with the Playaz leading most of the way. The Warriors weren't able to get over the hump, as the Playaz made several key stops down the stretch en route to a 72-58 victory.
The Warriors were lead throughout the game by Dalton Pepper, a highly competent floor general who led his team in scoring with 18 points. Pepper a junior PG, boasts offers from the likes of West Virginia, Villanova and Virginia Tech. Junior, Will Barrett also contributed to the scoring attack for the Warriors, chipping in with 13 points, including 3 three-pointers.
Despite the efforts of Pepper and Barrett, the New England Playaz were able to use their height advantage to beat the Warriors with their low-post game. The major contributor was Eric Murphy, who finished with 22 points, most of which came within 8 feet of the basket. Nate Lubbick, who also did damage in the low post, contributed with 16 points. 11th Grade Championship Game:The DC Assault were able to top the Playaz Basketball Club in a close match to win the 11th grade championship game 78-73. Joshua Hairston, a sophomore for the DC Assault scored a team high 24 points. The Playaz Club, comprised of players from the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area were lead by Fuquan Edwin, who also led his team with 24 points.
Daryl BryantMVP Daryl Bryant (above) recorded 24 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists to lead Usual Suspects to an 88-85 victory over Team Hersh in the championship game of the Funsport Brooklyn HS Classic at Jefferson HS.Usual Suspects expanded their 39-35 halftime lead to double digits when Kemba Walker swished a left-corner three- pointer that made it 54-44 with 2:28 left in the third quarter. Team Hersh quickly recovered as David Coley scored 10 points in a 19-8 run that carried over to the fourth quarter. Eric Troche climaxed the spurt with a driving layup and Team Hersh suddenly had a 63-62 lead with five minutes remaining.
Patrick Jackson got that one back with a layup at the other end for Usual Suspects, who then regained control and rebuilt their double-digit margin at 80-70 on a three-point play by Jackson with 2:45 to go. Team Hersh would start another comeback but they simply ran out of time as Erving Walker and Bryant ran down the clock.Erving Walker chipped in with 20 points while Kemba Walker added 18 points and Jackson finished with 15 for the winners, who posted their second straight triumph over an unbeaten pool winner, having stopped defending champ Starrett City 90-87 a day earlier in the semifinals. In that game, Bryant led five Usual Suspects in double figures with 20 points, followed by Jackson (17), Erving Walker (15 with 7 assists), Marquis Grant (15 and 12 rebounds), and Kemba Walker (13). Starrett City received 24 points each from Vance Kelly and Devon Elliott while Sam Obetoh added 18 points and 10 boards.Team Hersh's Coley, who established himself as one of the city's top rising sophs in this tournament, garnered Sportsmanship honors with his team-high 21 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Another soph, Joel Wright, tallied 16 points and 14 rebounds for Team Hersh, which also got 15 points from Keith Spellman, 14 points from Troche, and 13 points with 10 rebounds from Allan Marshall.
