Pro City Kenner Games: Day 7
The pair of games from Nike DC Pro City Kenner League last night, are reviewed.
Be sure to visit Premium Court, for why three Hoyas anticipated to play - Bryson Mozone, Malcolm Wilson and Qudus Wahab - didn't.
PAPA 65 Brains Skills Guts 51
PAPA's one point halftime lead was expanded during the back half, with professional Andrew Washington playing a key role in doing so; after arriving a few minutes late, Washington or 'Spongebob' as he's called, got warmed up, then started embracing the physical and mental games. The last refers to his penchant for strategic trash talk.
Washington logged 17 points, while Texas-Tyler guy chipped in eight points, four rebounds. Southern New Hampshire guy Matt 'Captain America' Becht provided eight points, three steals and three assists. Obadiah Noel, a G League pro, tallied six points, two steals for victorious PAPA.
BSG was paced by Beni Lavadranai's 10 points and eight rebounds. His performance is notable, as BSG, due to personnel no-shows, officially forfeited the game, yet Lavadranai, a Till College standout, competed nevertheless.
Call Your Mother 83 Darren McClinton All Stars 71
In what has to be considered an upset, CYM defeated a team with two players boasting NBA experience, ringing up 17 and 19 point, second half leads. Professional Marcquise Reed scored 15 points for CYM, as did St. Francis (PA's) Ty Stewart.
DMAS, had it's moments; pulling within single digits several times, like with around 11 minutes in regulation when pro guard Erick Green's (20 points, five boards) sank a three ball. Their mini-runs were generally predicated on defense, a point stressed by the team whose leaders were often heard saying "We have to get a stop".
Green is one of those NBA-related players for DMAS, as was James Palmer (11 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals). Yale collegian Bez Mbeng tallied 14 points and three rebounds, while DMAS teammate and Maryland stalwart Donta Scott managed six points, four rebounds, two of the latter being offensive.
Notes:
What's become apparent is those players with NBA experience - the league itself, G League and/or summer team experience - generally play the right way in Kenner competition. They share the game, make extra passes and communicate. Green and Palmer of DMAS, along with PAPA's Noel fit this bill.
Matt Becht of Southern New Hampshire showed up for PAPA, proving he's still a player that shoots, passes and works well with teammates. Dubbed 'Captain America' due to his resemblance in high school to a pre-super serum Captain America/Steve Rogers, Becht is a dangerous competitor who finds a way to impact the game favorably.
