From Pro City Kenner - Final
August 8, 2016 - This year’s Nike DC Pro City Kenner League has closed, producing Clyde’s as its champion. A team boasting two present Hoyas, sophomore guard Jahvon Blair and freshman forward Josh LeBlanc, along with Blue and Grey alum Rodney Pryor, Clyde’s led almost start to finish, eventually vanquishing Symonds 84-81.
To their credit Hoop Magic, down 47-33 at intermission, came storming back by pressing full court as well as feeding Hoya big man Omer Yursteven, who didn’t touch the ball much in first half play. Given his second half dominance, the G’Town transfer from NC State figured heavily into what Hoop Magic wanted to do with under a minute to go and down just a pair of points.
“We tried to get a back pick for ‘O’ (Yurtseven)” recalled head coach Curtis Symonds of what he dialed up, “a quick lob”. Clyde’s sniffed out the scheme, forcing Yurtseven to pass out, which ended as a turnover.
Following are player evaluations for Hoyas and selected non-Georgetown guys. For the former’s complete text, see Premium Court.
Clyde’s 84 Hoop Magic 81
Rodney Pryor – 6’4” forward, Clyde’s – Led all scorers with 22 points, dropped from distance and at the rim. Lefty can get by guys and finish. Must become a more attached defender.
Jahvon Blair - 6’3” 180 pound sophomore guard, Georgetown, Clyde’s – Finished with 20 points, most from deep mid-range or three-point land. Can spot up and shoot at a high level. Has to...
Josh LeBlanc – 6’6” 220 pound freshman forward, Georgetown, Clyde’s – Had a somewhat subdued game, tallying seven points. Defended solidly. Typically is a willing rebounder. Needs to shoot...
Tim Jones – 6’1”, 170 pound sophomore guard, Eastern Mennonite, Clyde’s – Applied good full court defense and distributed the ball. Scored four points. Must finish better. Again showed he can play with guys of all basketball pedigree.
Xavier Johnson – 6’2”, 190 pound freshman guard, Pitt, Clyde’s – Shot, drove and finished along his way to 13 points. Drove left – a former weak point – but needs to trust that left hand more. Had a few turnovers, which can’t occur as floor leader. Needs to be more vocal. Athletic and aggressive.
Korey Cooley – 6’2”, 180 pound guard, Clyde’s – A stalwart at Virginia Union last year, Cooley continued his Pro City Kenner play of scoring, driving and dishing. Put up 16 points. Being more of a vocal lead guard will help Cooley when he tours China soon.
Omer Yurtseven – 6’11”, 260 pound junior center, Georgetown, Hoop Magic – All of his 19 points were logged in second half play, partly the team’s fault, somewhat attributed to a lack of demand by him. During the last 22 minutes, Yurtseven not only called for the ball, but ran the floor hard and overall played aggressively. Rebounded well in second stanza action, in addition to protecting the rim. Must play...
Greg Malinowski – 6’5”, 215 pound senior guard, Georgetown, Hoop Magic – Played solidly on offense, putting up 15 points. Is a spot up shooting specialist. Moving his...
Keithan Savage – 6’3”, 190 pound guard, Hoop Magic – Chipped in 19 points, while also strapping 94 feet. Savage is a guard that does some of everything, at a pretty high level. For continued success in pro ball, Keithan must become more of a vocal, lead guard player.
Ian Baker - 6'1", 185 pound guard, Hoop Magic - Having recovered from a significant leg injury, one that necessitated surgery. He's back to running the show and scoring - at rim or from distance - when necessary. Baker, a former New Mexico State standout, is rounding into form.