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DCIAA season winds down
Basketball playoffs, title games on tap this week
(Published February 23, 2004)

By MELISSA FERRARA
Staff Writer

Eight girls’ teams and eight boys’ teams remained in the running at the start of this week for a shot at the DCIAA varsity basketball championship, to be decided Feb. 27 at Coolidge Senior High School’s gym.

The girls’ varsity title game is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m., with the boys’ game set to start at 9 p.m. Consolation matches, between the runner-up teams, will be played at 3 p.m. for the girls and 5 p.m. for the boys.

In the meantime, playoff games begin Feb. 24 and continue Feb. 25 to decide who will face off in the title contests.

In boys varsity action, West Division fourth-seeded Wilson travels to east Division first-seeded Spingarn for a 7:30 p.m. contest Feb. 24, while East Division third-seeded Ballou travels to West Division second-seeded Roosevelt for a 5:30 p.m. game. Also scheduled are 7:30 p.m. contests with East Division fourth-seeded Anacostia traveling to West Division first-seeded Dunbar and West Division third-seeded Cardozo taking on East Division second-seeded Woodson in a game to be played at Anacostia Senior High School.

In girls varsity action, West Division fourth-seeded Wilson heads to East Division first-seeded Anacostia for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff, while East Division third-seeded Woodson travels to West Division second-seeded Dunbar for a 5:30 p.m. game. Also scheduled at 5:30 p.m. is a contest at Spingarn pitting West Division third-seeded Coolidge against East Division second-seeded Ballou. At 7:30 p.m., East Division fourth-seeded Spingarn takes on West Division first-seeded Roosevelt on the Lady Rough Riders’ home court.

Sites and times of the Feb. 25 games will depend on who wins the first round of playoff contests.

Regular season play ended last week for all DCIAA varsity basketball teams. A quick look at the teams’ seasons follows.

GIRLS: WEST DIVISION

Tyrone Pittman’s Roosevelt Lady Rough Riders finished with an 8-0 record in the league and 22-1 overall.

"Our expectation is to win the DCIAA championship, we fell short by one point last year," Pittman said. "If we can continue to stay focused, we can continue get there."

Three juniors are among Pittman’s standout players: Shanae Brice (guard), Katrina Wheeler (center), and Diamond Mitchell (forward). Senior transfer Jennifer Thomas put up 12 points per game as a guard. The team’s leading scorer was freshman, point guard Brittnay Hillard, with 22 points per game. A senior, transfer student Jennifer Thomas brought in 12 points per game.

Roosevelt finished first in West Division.

M.M. Washington’s girls had an overall record of 9-9, but did not come up with any wins in the league, finishing 0-7 and at the bottom in the West Division.

"Our season went okay," Head Coach Phillip Morgan said. "The girls went through a coaching change and a change in division. The West is a little harder, if we had been in the east we would have made the playoffs."

Morgan said his girls beat Spingarn and Ballou, both in the East, and lost to Ballou in overtime.

Morgan said three juniors were his strongest players. Guard Ericka Oliver averaged 18 points, three assists, six rebounds and two steals per game. Guard Tiffany Ross brought in 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. Guard Tierra Thompson averaged just below Ross with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals a game.

Wilson’s girls finished just above MM Washington in the West, with a league record of 3-5 and an overall record of 15-8.

Head Coach Harold Singletary completed his third season with Wilson this year.

"We are very happy with our progress this year," Singletary said. "We were nine and 14 our first season, then 12 and 12, and now 15 and eight. That’s definitely a progression."

Singletary said his seniors provided team leadership, while two standout juniors provided a foundation the team on the court.

Juniors Victoria Clark (point guard) and Amarachi Umez-Eronini (all positions) made big plays for Wilson. Clark, a transfer student, averaged 10 points, four assists and three steals a game. Umez-Eronini, who started playing basketball two years ago, averaged 14 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks, two steals and three assists per game.

Senior leaders included wing guard Margot Locker and center Courtney McCall. Singletary said senior, wing guard Janet Bunning is a leader and an All-League volleyball player. She recently returned from a national volleyball tournament in Las Vegas.

"We have created a very positive environment," Singletary said. Parents from the opposing team will comment on how happy his kids look, he added.

Dunbar Head Coach Johnnie Walker led his girls to a second place finish in the West, tieing with Coolidge for the spot. Dunbar finished 4-3 in the league and 11-6 overall.

"The season thus far has gone okay," Walker said.

Walker said two seniors have been solid throughout the season. Guard Nyanimah Ware averaged 17 points a game and led the team defensively. Guard Laquanda Brandon averaged 19 points a game and has scored over a 1000 points since her career started her freshman year.

Dunbar will play its first playoff game on Tuesday.

Coolidge tied for second with Dunbar in the West with a league record of 4-4.

Senior Ashley Alexander is captain of the team. Alexander plays guard or forward. She was a "Player of the Week" nominee and has a 3.9 grade point average. In one week and three games, Alexander put up 72 points, 21 rebounds, 16 steals and 13 assists.

Head Coach Robert Alston said she is an "all-around leader."

This was Alston’s first year at Coolidge and he led the girls to the playoffs.

GIRLS: EAST DIVISION

Eastern Senior High School had a tough season, Head Varsity Girls Coach David Dodson said. Eastern finished 0-8 in the league and 0-14 overall, finishing at the bottom of the East Division.

"We didn’t do well at all," Dodson said. "A lot of kids became academically ineligible. I am looking forward to rebuilding the program."

Dodson said some of the players he was counting on moved out of town or transferred. We plan "to put [the team] back together over the summer," Dodson said.

Spingarn came in just above Anacostia, 2-6 in the league. Spingarn finished 2-5 in the league last year, but Head Coach Millard Blackwell’s expectation was for his girls to have fun during the season.

Woodson and Ballou are tied for second in the East. Woodson’s league record is 5-3; Ballou’s is 5-2.

Woodson Head Coach Bob Headen had expected good things from his senior, center Paris Hargrove in his pre-season predictions. He nominated Hargrove for her performance against Ballou, the team Woodson is currently tied with in the Division. Hargrove provided 30 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Woodson.

Ballou has powerhouse Chinata Nesbit, a senior guard or forward who has dominated the girls league. Nesbit has consistently brought in 30 points, nine blocks, nine assists and five steals per game. Boy’s Head Coach Donnie Dukes nominated Nesbit for "Player of the Week," which she won during the regular season. Dukes also nominated Ikea Gafford, a junior who plays forward, for her efforts during the Feb. 13 game against Woodson. In a tough loss, and with Nesbit out with an injury, Gafford really stepped up her game in a close loss with their Division counterpart, Dukes said.

"[Gafford] is an outstanding three-point shooter. She’s our number one defensive player," Girls Head Coach William Brockenberry said. "She’s really special."

Anacostia leads the East Division with a 7-0 league record and an overall record of 13-5.

"We started off kind of slow," Head Coach Frank Briscoe said. "We had a couple of losses in Texas and one in Philadelphia, but after Christmas we picked up the pace."

Junior Jessica Adair (center) was a "Player of the Week" nominee for her efforts on the Feb. 3 game versus Roosevelt and the Feb. 6 game against Coolidge.

"She’s a good team leader," Briscoe said. "And she’s averaging a double, double every game."

Adair averages 17 points and 15 rebounds per game. Her twin sister, Jazmine Adair plays forward and averaged 10 points and 13 rebounds a game. Sophomore Danielle Richardson plays point guard for Briscoe. She provided about eight points and nine assists a game.

"We are growing as a team," Briscoe said. Trials early in the season "in the long run make us a stronger team."

BOYS: WEST DIVISION

Dunbar finished in a first place tie with Roosevelt for the West Division title, with a 7-2 league record.

Dunbar was undefeated in the league last year, Head Coach Lorenzo Roach said. He also predicted big plays from senior Randy Hampton early on.

Hampton is a captain and plays shooting guard. Roach nominated Hampton for "Player of the Week" for his performance versus Roosevelt on Feb. 3- 17 points, 15 rebounds and five assists-and Coolidge on Feb. 6- 27 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.

Hampton is a leading scorer in the DCIAA.

Roosevelt ended its season 7-3 in the league and 14-9 overall, which places the boys a first place tie in the West.

"This season I was expecting to finish approximately where we finished," Head Coach Jenkins Dormu said.

Dormu had five seniors on his team this season, but said only two were basketball players, the other three are more focused on football.

Senior Eugene Webb (guard) averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. Another senior, guard, Abraham Massalley also averaged 16 points. He also had about six rebounds and two assists a game. Dormu said he is focused on helping these seniors get into college and continuing their education. His football/basketball players are looking at football schools for their future plans.

Dormu said two sophomores, both returning varsity players, played well for him. Jeffery Owens plays power forward, he is also a football player. Six foot five inches tall, Owens is a "good passer" and brought in about nine points, 12 rebounds and five assists a game, Dormu said. His other starting sophomore is Charles Wallace.

Dormu is looking forward to the playoffs.

Cardozo ended 6-3 in the league, putting the boys in the playoffs and just under the Dunbar/Roosevelt tie for first.

Freshman Antonio Cooper was nominated for "Player of the Week." He averaged 9.6 points, 8.4 assists and 4.1 steals during the season, said Assistant Coach Hanif Hill. Cooper is a dual athlete, playing football during the fall.

M.M. Washington’s boys ended the season tied with Wilson for fourth in the West, but did come up with a big win during the season.

Finishing the season with a 4-6 record in the league and 12-9 overall, MM had a big win over Dunbar, who finished at the top of the West, at Dunbar during the season, Head Coach Robert Nickens said.

"We have beaten everyone who is supposed to be a powerhouse this year," Nickens said.

Two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior make up Nickens’ strongest performers, all are projected to return next season. Freshman Kalid Martin (center) averaged 10 points and 12 rebounds a game. Nickens nominated freshman, point guard Eugene Huff for "Player of the Week" for his performance versus Dunbar on Feb. 13. Huff came up with 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the Dunbar battle.

Sophomore, point guard Jarrod Allen brought in about 23 points, five steals and four assists per game. Nickens gave special praise to Allen for the Dunbar win. Forward Michael Fields is also a sophomore. He averaged nine points and seven rebounds a game. Junior Joel Bryant plays small forward for Nickens, averaging 13 points and seven rebounds a game.

Nickens said his season started off roughly, losing six players early on because of academics or disciplinary suspensions.

"I learned a lot about coaching and believing in kids," Nickens said. "I feel really good about returning next year. We are going to be a really dangerous basketball team."

Orvin Wright’s boys at Wilson finished with a league record of 4-6 and an overall record of 15-8.

Three seniors were big performers for Wright. Guard Joseph Flegler averaged 30 points, five assists and 2 rebounds per game. Guard Ayo Okinhku, who Wright described as an "outstanding worker," averaged 15 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals a game. Forward William Miller brought in about 10 points, four charges, three blocks and five assists per game.

Wright also said juniors Mohammed Abdul-Ali and Michael Lamkins-Sayers have developed into a successful partnership within the team. Abdul-Ali plays forward or guard. He averaged 12 points per game and had four or five rebounds a game. An up-and-coming player, Abdul-Ali’s counterpart, Lamkins-Sayer is also a guard. He averaged 10 points a game. Both players had limited time on the floor, but are expected to develop over the summer and bring leadership and wins next season.

"I am pleased with the season," Wright said. "This is my first season. I didn’t quite know what to expect and the kids have done well."

Coolidge finished under M.M. Washington and Wilson, with a league record of 1-9. Head Coach Bryan Crumpton nominated Deonte Butler for "Player of the Week" for his efforts during the season. Butler was a first year player and had never played organized basketball before.

BOYS: EAST DIVISION

School Without Walls finished its season 4-6 in the league and 9-12 overall. A loss to Anacostia on Feb. 18 tied the team for third in the East Division.

Head Coach Timothy Spinner said, as far as he knew, School Without Walls has never made the playoffs before.

Spinner commended three seniors for their efforts during the season. Guard Nnamdi Nnadili is the teams leading scorer with 23 points per game, Spinner said. Forward Brandon Jenifer has also been a team contributor. Power forward Henry Garrard has a 3.5 GPA. Spinner described Garrard as the teams "inspirational and team leader."

Ballou finished in the three-way tie for third in the East with a league record of 4-5 and an overall record of 17-5.

"We set our expectations pretty high and, at this point, I know we had a better season than the last two," Dukes said. "No one on the DCIAA beat us by more than five points."

Head Coach Donnie Dukes has talent in every grade and a lot of returning talent for next season.

Senior John Thomas (guard) averaging 18 points, six assists, seven blocks and five steals a game. Junior Avon Ford (forward) brought in about 14 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks a game. Sophomore, small forward Jamal Williams averaged 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds per game. Freshman Thomas Gibson played point guard this season, averaging 10 points, 11 assists and eight steals a game.

Dukes also mentioned first year players Davon Lanaham, Cevin Belton and Tyron Parker has great performers.

"We are a young team," Dukes said. "We have the pieces, we have a good foundation for next season."

Dukes said his team has faced many trials during this season.

"We have had tragedy over here," Dukes said. "The mercury, the fighting, the team has stuck together and shown what it is to be a team."

James Richardson, a recently murdered Ballou student, was a member of the Ballou basketball team.

Anacostia is the last part of the three-way tie in the East, with a 4-5 league record. Coach Troy Sewell attributed the team’s hard times to turnovers and missed free throws, but said sophomore Kaywon Williams has been a consistent performer.

A guard, Williams averaged 15 points, three rebounds and two assists per game.

A win on Feb.18 over School Without Walls secured the team’s playoff spot. Sewell said it was "probably the most important game of the season" for Anacostia.

Woodson finished second in the East, with a 7-3 league record and 18-4 overall.

Head Coach Keino Wilson said his team "achieved more than expected" this season.

Three seniors provided for Woodson throughout the season. Wilson listed guard Delonte Taylor and point guard Ricky Kelly among his best performers. He called Kelly the "heart and soul of [his] offense."

Forward Donte Herrod scored about 90 points in the last four games, Wilson said. He averaged 15 points and five rebounds a game and "steals the ball unbelievably," Wilson said. Herrod volunteers at a local Boys and Girls Club and will be attending Syracuse University next year on a football scholarship.

This is Wilson’s last season with Woodson basketball, he is retiring at the end of the year.

Spingarn won the East Division, with a league record of 8-2. But, the season was a fight for the team.

"We met our expectations," Head Coach Damon Roberts said. "Our goal from the beginning was to win the East, we did that, next to win the DCIAA, and then go to the city championship."

Spingarn started out with a 3-13 overall record and ended 10-13, Roberts said.

"I am really proud," Roberts said. "they put up with me and we kept working, even when things weren’t going right."

Roberts said senior Fred Morris "stepped up the most, was the most consistent player" for him.

Morris plays forward center and is a team captain. He averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Point guard Dominic Lane was also a contributor. The senior averaged five points and six assists a game. Sophomore Julius Crumlin also plays guard. Roberts thinks he will develop into one of the better players in the DCIAA. Crumlin and Lane are honor roll students, meaning both have achieved a GPA above 3.0.

Eastern rounded out the East with a 2-8 league record. Senior Reggie Lassiter (point guard) averaged 22 points a game, leading his team in scoring.

Copyright 2004, The Common Denominator