SE Washington, DC - Sunday was rained out but the Goodman faithful were treated to marathon of basketball games Monday in front of a standing room only crowd in the Barry Farms Coliseum to witness a double overtime thriller in the headliner game between The Roc Boys led by L Train, Easy E and Super Dave against a scrappy Madness team coached by Larry Madness, and Herb Francis.

Before the headliner game ensued, The Hoodwear All Stars and The Black Tie Mob did battle in a game that featured some of the most amazing highlight plays of the summer games. It's official, Donald "Pee Wee" Lynch (Ballou) a guard for the Hoodwear All Stars maybe the highest riser in the gates, higher even than Baby Shaq. Pee Wee stands about 6 feet even.

The first half started off with the Black Tie Mob seizing the early advantage on good guard play by Ryan Jones (St. Johns/Hargrave Military/Stoneybrook College).  Jones was getting to the line and driving the lane.  The Black Tie mob opened up a 12-5 lead in a low scoring first half when Hoodwear's talent began to seize control of the game and shift the momentum in their favor.   Hoodwear tied the game at 18-18 with 1:57 in the first half after Flood's assist to Pee Wee who then rose up and threw down a powerful Jordanesque style dunk. 

If Pee Wee could have nailed his free throws in the first half, they would have had the lead by halftime.  The Black Tie Mob led by one at the break.

At the 17:06 mark in the second half, Pee Wee jumps out of the gym for an incredible block  on Ryan's shot. Ryan, who led the Black Tie team in the first half, was relatively quiet in the second while Flood controlled the tempo of the game for Hoodwear.  Pee Wee got on track and began converting free throws and making highlight reel plays above the rim

At the 11:38, Pee Wee took off over the rim and caught a left handed alley oop dunk that virtually sealed the deal for Hoodwear.  Pee Wee took over down the stretch as the Hoodwear cruised 41-27. 

The highlight game featured The Roc Boys with DC basketball legend Lonnie "L Train" Harrell, "Easy E" Eric Brabham (Virginia Tech), Keith Bogans, (DeMatha, Kentucky, Orlando Magic) Super Dave, and none other than offensive tackle Brandon Albert (UVA,1st round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs).

The Madness Team, suited up some super players such as Chavez, 95 North from Baltimore, 6' 9" Dokun Akingbade (George Washington University), and 6' 8" Regis Koundjia also of George Washington. On paper the smart money leaned towards the Roc Boys but as Chris Berman of ESPN says,"That is why they play the games!"  Dokun and Regis should be on the Goodman All Star selection ballot this year.

L Train started off the fireworks with his patented bankshot from three point range.  The Roc Boys opened up an early 9-4 lead but the Madness team had absolutely no quit in them and quickly closed the lead.  L Train reached into his bag off tricks early and powered the Roc Boys on offense back into the lead with a little help from his teammates Easy E.

At the 11:33 mark of the first half, Easy E converted a beautiful hesitation crossover to finish at the rim and give his team a 20-15 lead.   Regis finished a dunk off a steal and 95 North converted a jump hook to keep the game close.  Both teams battled down to the wire in the first half with the Madness team coming from behind and taking the lead into halftime 37-34.

A word of note about Brendan Albert, who was selected #15 overall in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs in this past April's NFL draft and is more skilled a basketball player than he looks.  He's left handed with a smooth release and made the crowd go oooh and ahhh with a sweet assist to LTrain in the first half.  He was a key contributor down the stretch for Roc Boys.

Slippers, the Madness point guard, opened up the scoring in the second half and after that it was the Dokun show.  Dokun dominated around the basket while L Train disappeared. Madness opened up a 50-40 lead at the 12 minute mark then L Train and Easy E both got hot and turned up the heat on Madness.  Despite the inside, outside play of Dokun and Regis,the Madness team just couldn't put the Roc Boys away.  Still, there was no answer for Dokun inside.  The only hope for the Roc Boys was the play of L Train, Easy E,  solid free throw shooting, and contributions from Brandon Albert and Super Dave

The Roc Boys battled back into the game to eventually seize the lead at the 3:00 mark of the second half.  With 47 seconds left in the regulation, Dokun hit a three pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime at 75 apiece.

Dokun and Easy E battled in the first overtime trading buckets. Unfortunately, Regis began racking up fouls but Dokan carried his team converting 3 straight free throws to send the game into a second OT.

In the second overtime, with both teams fatigued, Dokun missed three critical free throw attempts that could have taken the Madness team into a 3rd overtime.  The Roc Boys win 94-90. 

After the game, Dokun, who attended Bladensburg High said, "Both teams battled hard, but they (Roc Boys) got us in the end."

Madness coach Herb Francis said, "Down the stretch we needed subs but we didn't have our normal replacements.  A couple guys weren't here.  It was a pretty good game though. LTrain took over. He did what he had to do."

Highlight Plays of the game:

Both plays were made by Pee Wee Lynch from the Hoodwear All Stars.  At the 1:57 mark of the first half, Pee Wee gets an assist from Flood, the Hoodwear point guard on the left side of the basket, leaps straight up, cocks the ball back and throws down a dunk that looked absolutely Jordanesque.

At the 11:38 mark of the second half, Pee Wee leaps and catches an alley oop left handed and throws it down.  After that it was a wrap.  Highlight reel stuff.

For schedule updates go to www.thegoodmanleague.com.

For archived articles on the Goodman League, go to www.dcmetrosports.com/dcmsblog