3rd Annual Tina Thompson “She Got Game” Classic Report

3rd Annual Tina Thompson 

Classic Report

By: Thomas Gadson

This was the third installment of the Tina Thompson "She Got Game" Basketball Classic presented by Keith Veney and Veney Management Group. The event featured some of the premier players in the country and some of the most talented up and coming female basketball players that college recruiters will surely want to get on their radar. There were many great plays made throughout the tournament and the coaching was nothing more than spectacular.


 

The first game of the evening was Princeton Day Academy H.S. (MD) defeating #10 Georgetown Day H.S. (DC), sophomore Essence Brown, of Princeton Day Academy H.S., led Coach Evans team with 27 points as she captured the MVP award.

The second game of the evening was also an excellent competition between Gwynn Park H.S. (MD) and Damascus H.S. (MD). Fast forward to the fourth quarter, with time expiring in regulation Gwynn Park needed a 3 point bucket to send the game into overtime. Junior guard Genesis Lucas took full advantage of two shoot attempts as she connected on the 2nd shot to send the game into overtime. Now with extra time on the clock Coach Michael Strothers, Head Coach of Gwynn Park H.S., team ceased the opportunity to pull out a victory. Let’s not take anything away from Damascus they played a very intense game, but as we know it’s sometimes the bounce of the ball that can determine the outcome. Lucas finished with 25 points and the recipient of the games’ most valuable player award.

The third contest was between nationally ranked, #15 by ESPN, Malcolm X Shabazz (NJ) opening their season with a strong showing against Archbishop Spalding (MD). Last year we saw Aliyyah Handford as a junior and we were very impressed with her ability to run a very talented team. With the graduation of Alyesha Lovett to the University of Cincinnati, the team is now in the

hands of Handford to run. Now a senior Handford leads a young and very talented Malcolm X Shabazz team for Head Coach Vanessa Watson.
In the first quarter Handford vertical assault on the offensive end of the court was absolutely spectacular and everyone in attendance recognized her gift as a basketball player. After several long distant three point shots by Handford, Coach Watson began putting the ball in the hands of her talented sophomores Zaire O’Neil, and DeAshia Jones which resulted in a commanding lead into the fourth quarter. As time began to run out in regulation Coach William Rosemond of Archbishop Spalding made a strong push that was led by juniors Jade Scaife and Camille Calhoun (2013 ESPN #22 Guard) that began to pull Archbishop Spalding back into the game. Although a great effort the early lead and the aggressive play of Coach Watsons team was a little too much for Archbishop Spalding to overcome. Final score Malcolm X Shabazz 75 Archbishop Spalding 70.

The third game of the evening had Calvert H.S. (MD) defeating Georgetown Day H.S. (DC) 56-45. Georgetown Day was without standout Zoe Beard Fails who tore her meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) early in the week. Notwithstanding Coach Bobby Asher’s team played Calvert close throughout the contest, leading the way for Georgetown Day was Loyola University signee senior Bryanna Robinson who scored 16 points. At the beginning of th fourth quarter Georgetown Day took the lead but late in regulation Calvert junior guard Alexis Smith was the difference maker, scoring 26 points and more importantly leading the team down the stretch for Coach Frank Moore team to capture the victory.

The fourth game of the evening was St Anthony’s (NY) and Forest Park (VA). Before the game we had a minute to speak with Forest Park senior guard Lexi Carpenter / University of Dayton signee parents and at that time we were informed that Lexi was slightly under the weather nursing flu like symptoms and they were unsure if she was going to play. But according to her parents and coach Rebecca Tillett , Lexi was not going to sit this game out with an opportunity to play against a good team like St Anthony’s. With Lexi not at 100%, Coach Rebecca Tillett relied on top 60 prospects list by ESPN Breyana Mason. Mason scored her first 24 points before the start of the second half to keep St Anthony in catch-up mode, but senior Symone Kelly / Sienna University signee did all she could to bring St Anthony’s closer. Kelly finished 20 points and 10 rebounds which led the ladies of St Anthony’s. Forest Park senior guard Lexi Carpenter finished strong despite ailing throughout the contest, coach Tillett stated, "That’s what set Lexi apart from other players her desire to win and play a game she loves". Mason finished with an outstanding 39 points and the game MVP award.  The final game of the evening was host high school Bishop McNamara (MD) and Ursuline Academy (DE). Last year we witness an outstanding performance from then 8th  grader Adrianna Hahn so one year later we wanted to see if she took steps forward or if she was a one hit wonder. When Ursuline entered the gym we were waiting to see Adrianna and to our surprise she was wearing a knee brace from an injury she suffered in the 2011 Delaware State championship. So we assumed that with the injury that she would probably get limited minutes because of the injury. To our surprise she played the entire game, and play she did! Not taking anything away from Bishop McNamara, Adrianna Hahn, who showcased her basketball skills to all that may have thought it was going to be easy. Early on Adrianna connected on several long distant three pointers and passed the ball with precision to her teammates that knew they were in good hands with Adrianna on the floor. She was knocked down several times and got up, she was denied the ball, but found a way to get her hands on the rock, she drove the lane took contact several times. But let’s not forget Bishop ‘senior forward/center Dionna Joynes, Boston University signee made the difference for Coach Gary Lee. Down the stretch Joynes showcased her abilities to catch the ball in traffic and finish when her team needed a bucket. She finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds to capture the victory for the ladies of Bishop McNamara.


All Tournaments First Team

1. Breyana Mason Junior Forest Park (VA)
2. Aliyyah Handford Senior Malcolm X Shabazz (NJ)
3. Dionna Joynes Senior Bishop McNamara (MD)
4. Genesis Lucas Junior Gwynn Park (MD)
5. Adriann Hahn Freshman Ursuline Academy (DE)


All Tournaments Second Team
1. Alexis Smith Sophomore Calvert (MD)
2. DeAshia Jones Sophomore Malcolm X Shabazz (NJ)
3. Camille Calhoun Junior Archbishop Spalding (MD)
4. Symone Kelly Senior St Anthony’s (NJ)
5. Essence Brown Sophomore Princeton Day Academy (MD)