Locals Lead Georgetown Over U.Conn

Georgetown’s men defeated the no. 2 ranked team in the nation, 74-63. Chris Wright of St. John’s College High scored 16 and had three steals. DeMatha’s Austin Freeman tallied 13, plus six rebounds and a couple steals.

Rockville native Jerome Dyson had four thefts for the losers.

BCB

Austin Freeman Pushes Hoyas to Victory

Former St. John’s All-Met knots 19 in 69-58 win over Mount Saint Mary’s:

http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/122008aaa.html

DeMatha’s Austin Freeman chipped in 10 points.

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Jean Cajou, Mount Saint Mary’s Fall Short vs. Penn State

Former Paul IV star from Falls Church scores 10, with six rebounds, in 61-56 loss:

http://www.mountathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=47346&SPID=4380&DB_OEM_ID=10900&ATCLID=3632976

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Kevin Durant’s Big Brother Tony Can Play a Little Too

A Bowie High grad, forward stars for Towson State, along with 6’8″ forward Robert Nwankwo from Parkdale High:

http://www.towsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=101524&SPID=12510&DB_OEM_ID=21300&ATCLID=1512131&Q_SEASON=2008

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DC’s Jeff Allen Helps Guide Hokies to Tourney Title

In Madison Square Garden’s Holiday Festival, in an 81-67 triumph over St. John’s, 10 points, three steals:

http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20081221aaa.html

In the same tourney, Allen contributed 13 points and three blocked shots vs. Columbia.

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Jerome Dyson Leads U.Conn to OT Win Over Gonzaga

In “The Battle of Seattle”, Churchill High grad comes through big:

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/AllStories/MBasketball/2008/12/20/20081220.html

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How Cardozo’s Willie Wood Became a Hall of Famer

Did you know legendary Packer safety Willie Wood was known locally for his high school bsaketball duels with sharpshooter Wil Jones? The all-around athlete went on to do great things, in part aided by this letter from his former Boys Club mentor, to a certain coach:

A letter from Bill Butler to Vince Lombardi – Dec. 10, 1959

Dear Mr. Lombardi,

I am Bill Butler, athletics instructor at the Boys Club in Washington, D.C., and my reason for writing is simply because I was told by Willie Wood, QB and co-captain of the Southern California Trojans, that you were interested in him, but I didn’t see his name on your draft selections and I wondered why.

Willie came up under my wing at the Boys Club and I know he’s a terrific football player … I can say quite safely that the Trojans’ offensive style of play certainly didn’t embellish Willie’s all-around ability by any means, for this kid is a “thinking man’s” ballplayer, a real good field general of the Eddie LaBaron mold, good ball handler, strong runner and a tremendous passer. He can really throw the long ball.

Mr. Lombardi, if you could see this kid unshackled you would really agree with me.

If you hadn’t contemplated giving him a chance, just try him one time and I’ll guarantee you’ll be glad you did. If you can find the time, I sure would like to hear from you and maybe we at the Boys Club can be told by you the things maybe we fail to see.

Respectfully,
Bill Butler

Happy birthday Mr. Wood

from DC Basketball

“Rabbit” Baylor Took The Game Into The Space Age

Before Michael, Julius, or “The Hawk”, there was Elgin:

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From Spingarn to Mayor?

Dave Bing honed his leadership skills on our basketball courts:

Dave’s in the front row, first guy on the right in this College All-Star photo:

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100th Anniversary of First Black Inter-City Game

When our Crescents met Brooklyn’s Smart Set:

http://blackfivesblog.com/?p=658\

Thanks Claude.

BCB