If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, you're familiar with the expression, "Christmas in July." Winter is still months away from DC; but "Basketball in July" qualifies as an early holiday present for yours truly. The DC Dobermans kicked off the first
official season of
The-BALL Basketball Alumni Legends League with an impressive 113-99 comeback victory over the Maryland Ball Stars in front of a nice-sized crowd last night at GW's Charles E. Smith Center.
After falling behind early 22-6, the Dobermans put the ball in the most capable hands of Georgetown alum
Austin Freeman, who led all scorers with 37 points and
three four-pointers. The former DeMatha High star scored 24 of his points in the second half (16 in the third quarter alone) including back-to-back 4's (easily the best rule/scoring adjustment in
all of basketball.) Fellow Hoya
Henry Sims also came alive in the second half, adding 21 of his 29 points to the home team's decisive 63-41 scoring advantage.
As a certified basketball junkie, I was happy to see
any kind of play; but I was genuinely impressed with the defensive intensity executed by Johnny Newman's team, especially in the second half. The first 20 minutes were dominated by superb perimeter play by the MD all-stars, particularly former Terps
John Gilchrist and Sean Mosley (19 points in the first half.) Whatever adjustments coach Newman made at the half (on the bench no less, no locker room breaks for these guys) worked perfectly: Mosley was held to four points the rest of the way, finishing with 23 points and six rebounds.
Overall, DC shot an amazing 56.4% (44-78) from the field (MD shot 47.6%) and converted a third (6-18) of their 4-point tries (MD missed 10 of their 11 attempts.) Turnovers were just about even (MD committed 13, DC 12.) But this game belonged to the dynamic duo from Georgetown, who accounted for almost 60% of the Doberman's scoring.
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| Freeman takes a much-deserved break |
Basketball isn't
everything, and The-BALL provided plenty of entertainment for everyone in attendance. In fact, the biggest ovations came during a halftime
youth league game (You should see these kids pass!) From a stirring National Anthem to generous prizes throughout ($50 gift cards to Dick's Sporting Goods for the entire row of the Dance Cam winner!) fans were treated to an exceptional show. How do you top giving away
10 Domino's pizzas to the section of the 4-pt shot contest winner? Sweet.
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| Great National Anthem |
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| Dance Cam winner |
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| Musical Chairs |
Best of all, last night was just the beginning. The Dobermans return Thursday night at 7 to take on an all-star team from North Carolina, led by head coach
Phil Ford. Tickets are available online (
click here) or at the Smith Center box office; and there's still time to snag an
awesome deal from
Living Social that includes a ticket to the game, 2 slices of pizza
and a drink for as low as 10 bucks!
