SE Washington DC - Last summer upcoming Syracuse freshman from Baltimore Donte Green and Bill Walker from Ohio (Kansas State) graced the fabulous gates of the Barry Farms Coliseum and were introduced to the Goodman Nation. One year later both players are drafted into the NBA. If your game is true, the great Goodman is where you need to be on breezy summer evenings showcasing your skills.
Yesterday marked the debut of 6' 9" Justin Franks, a former star for M.M. Washington High School with the wingspan of a 757 jet airliner and who plays for a Junior College in Pensacola, FL. Franks, currently working the summer as a lifeguard, is now known in the gates simply as "The Project" had two solid debut performances in consecutive games. As Miles the commissioner put it,"I'm just trying to get him as much practice as possible."
The Project in two games rejected almost 30 shots and demonstrated a Bill Russell like defensive instinct for shotblocking. In addition to Franks, Bottlepoppers guard Delonte Jones (West Virginia Tech) did a phenomenal job powering his team to victory in the headliner game.
In the first matchup, We R One took on the BF Crazies as both teams shot relatively well in the opening minutes. We R One guard "Junkyard Greg" Martin began to put his stamp on the game and dominated on the offensive end with turnaround jumpers, coast to coast dunks, and high energy play. We R One opened up a 10 point lead at halftime and never relinquished.
We R One's defense, rebounding and overall talent on both ends of the court began to overwhelm the BF Crazies whom seemed to get a little fatigued early in the second half. The Project, playing for We R One, was filling up his stat sheet as he racked up over 15 blocks. Junkyard Greg and Special Olympics closed out the game 54-29.
After the game, Junkyard Greg (Ballou) said, "We did well but we could've done better."
I asked him about The Project and he said, "Acutally this is my first time playing with him but he did his thing."
In the headliner game, The Bootlepoppers, featuring star guards Delonte Jones and Steve Harley (Crossland, Marriott High, currently playing for Division I Nebraska), took on the Get It In Crew led by Doug Dormu and a host of other young talented ballers.
In the first half, The Bottlepoppers's Delonte Jones, Charlie Bell, & Steve Harley were leading the way as a potented three guard attack but the Get It In crew were a scrappy and skilled bunch lead initially by Doug Dormu who displayed fabulous in and out dribble moves that created space for him to nail some mid range jumpers and dish some beautiful assist to open teammates for alley oop dunks. The Bottlepoppers maintained a slight 36-27 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Charlie Bell for the Bottlepoppers hit a quick shot followed by a Dormu jump hook for Get It In. The Get It In Crew combination of Dormu, Boogie Down, and a fabulous young guard named James staged a furious comeback after being down 16 points at the 11:50 mark of the second half. Ultimately, Big Smooth (Fairfield) and Delonte Jones, who both put on fabulous performances with their energy and skill down the stretch, were too much to overcome. The Bootlepoppers won 85-76.
After the game Delonte Jones said," We played tough, rebounded well and took care of the ball."
Bottlepoppers guard Steve Harley said when I asked him how The Goodman League prepares him for the Big XII conference he said, "It's the best summer league work you can get."
Highlight Moves of the day: There were three.
At the 15:36 mark of the first half, Get It In's Doug Dormu does a quick step and head fake to the right then with lightning quickness crosses to his left with a dribble move that completely leaves his man. Dormu then calmly nails a sweet mid-range jumper. Mind you that Doug Dormu has just one arm!!!!!
At the 54 second mark of the first half Bottlepoppers guard Steve Harley dribbles downcourt at a trot then explodes to the basket with a "I believe I can fly" one handed dunk. He looked at least four feet off the ground.
At halftime, Mo Jenkins left his courtside seat and with no warmup hit a half court shot that went straight in to win a prize handed down from LaVar Arrington's The Sideline who were promoting the show.
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Remember all Goodman archived articles are in the DCMSBlog section.
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