DCSAA Roundup: Bard and Banneker Bumped
To help initiate DC State Athletic Association boys basketball playoff action, Bard eeked an 63-60 win over Banneker, played at neutral site HD Woodson. It was a roller coaster and eventual rock fight, rolled into one. .
Bard jumped to an 18-2 lead, getting the ball inside and creating easy baskets via various pressures, leading to Banneker's 18-4 deficit at first quarter's end. Junior guard Steven Lamar (15 points), led all initial period scorers with six points in the first eight minutes.
The second quarter was largely Banneker's: By one minute, 46 seconds before intermission, the score stood just 24-20, Bard leading. Banneker's antidote to struggling was playing with a faster pace and finding shooters, particularly Class of 2025 forward Doran Clausell, who dropped 12 of his 15 points during the second stanza, including three trey-balls.
Carter Burley, Banneker's tough and quick Class of 2024 point guard confirmed his team's adjustment, saying "We attacked the rim with pride", leading to "draw and kick opportunities".
After starting as a 30-22 Bard advantage, the third quarter saw continued score and momentum swings, with their pressure holding sway. This of course was followed by Banneker surging; the score was knotted 54, a little less than halfway into the quarter.
Bard then returned on brand, deploying full court pressure defensive schemes. Banneker at this point largely handled the challenge, until they didn't: With 38.6 seconds, in full court pressure, senior guard DeAngelo Fogel (10 points) crept back, stealing an inbounds pass and immediately scoring via layup. The brilliant move drove Bard's score to an unconquerable 61-56 advantage, though Banneker never stopped competing.
Junior Banneker forward Jeremiah Shelton equaled Clausell's scoring output. Eleven was supplied by sophomore forward Mekhi Young.
Banneker's season has ended at 11-12. With it's bevy of young talented players, expect for DC talented and gifted school to be in the mix next year.
Bard, now 22-7, proceeds to DCSAA playoff semifinal competition versus IDEA, today, 6p at Georgetown University. Junior forward Nate Pondexter led all scorers for Bard via 17 points Seven of senior guard Marquel Thompson's 11 points were scored in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Recruiting Roundup
Nate Pondexter - 6'5", Class of 2024 forward, Bard (DC) - Strong NS aggressive, Pondexter loves mixing it up inside. Rebounds, defends, and is capable of receiving the dump down and scoring.
Doesn't have much recruiting interest right now. That should and can change, with time and becoming more comfortable on the perimeter.
Marquel Thompson - 6'2", Class of senior guard, Bard (DC)- If Thompson focuses on being consistently engaged offensively, more than Howard Community College will offer and schools other than UDC will show interest.
Thompson can pull up, drive and finish. Has decent length, and having lost weight demonstrated a willingness to work hard.
Pretty much a two guard now, Thompson going forward needs to transition towards combo guard, again to make himself more attractive to colleges, meaning being vocal and sharing the rock need to be focal points.
Doran Clausell - 6'4", Class of 2025 forward, Banneker (DC) - Sweet shooting when he gathers his feet, Clausell can also make shots off pin downs. Gets hot quickly.
Must get stronger going forward, as he will have to take and give bumps. More shake on his drives would help, as would conditioning training preparing him to move constantly around picks.
Makes smart plays, which tacks, as a source pegs his GPA at incredibly high.
Carter Burley - 5'9", Class of 2024 point guard, Banneker (DC) - Fast and aggressive, Burley uses both offensively and defensively. On the former, he speeds around finding teammates, the latter strapping on ball.
His left hand needs work, and Burley too often turns shots down meaning he has to become a more effective shooter. Add being more vocal to must-does for Burley.
Nevertheless, this intelligent near floor general is slept on by colleges in a major way, with only Brandeis showing in any love.
