Defense wins The Showdown titles for several teams in Philadelphia

Defense wins The Showdown titles for several teams in Philadelphia

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – There is nothing like the comforts of home. Teams made sure to leave an impression after the first Live period.

Philly Pride’s 17U and 16U teams took home the title, while Team Takeover 15U captured the championship.

17U: Pride stands tall to beat UAA rival

In the 17U championship, Philly beat WeR1 55-43 at Philly U on Sunday. Deandre Hunter scored a game-high 17 points in the win. Steven Jordan chipped in with 10 points. The contribution made by everyone, however, helped.

Philly jumped out on the Delaware-based squad by attacking the rim and keeping things outside of the paint.

“We played the same way we always play,” Philly coach Sean Colson said. “We played hard, shared the ball and get after it on defense. We want teams to beat us from the outside in with contested shots.”

Considering the size WeR1 has inside it is easy to see Colson’s philosophy. Philly started its run by making sure to get out in the open floor. When it did Hunter made the most of it by getting to the rim. Whenever he was unable to get that done, the Friends Central prospect had some help in Steve Jordan, Charles Brown and Tyere Marshall.

“Charles Brown is playing at a high level,” Colson said. “Steve Jordann has stepped his game up. The key for us is to play hard and play together.”

WeR1 coach James Johns knows exactly why his team fell short.

“We got out toughed,” he said. “(This) was about us getting back in the gym and playing together.”

Despite playing without St. Benedicts’ Trevon Duval, who was resting tired legs, WeR1 got plenty of production from those in the gym. Isaiah Jennings with a team-high 14 points.

16U: Pride dominates in the championship

Making sure the title was going to stay in the Keystone state, Philly Pride dominated both ends of the floor.

When the final horn rang, Philly walked away with a 69-40 win over SportsU 2018 at Philadelphia University.

Jamar Sudan led Philly with a team-high 12 points. The 6-foot-6 Chester High product helped anchor the interior. He also helped alter shots on the defensive end of the floor. John Stansbury added 10 points.

“This team is 70 percent new,” Philly coach Kyle Rawls said. “As the season has progressed we have started to trust one another. All we can do is take care of one another. We also know our defense takes care of our offense.”

Philly did manage to put SportsU into some tough situations. The New Jersey-based team tried to get things going inside with Alex Imegwu, who finished with a game-high 15 points. John Kelly chipped in with nine points. There effort was not enough against a motivated and defensively focused Philly team.

15U: Team Takeover Black earns title

Collin Nnamene was all Team Takeover needed to get a win over Team Final Black.

The DC-based organization won 38-28 at Philadelphia University on Sunday.

Nnamene, a 6-foot-5 St. Albans School, scored a game-high eight points. He was active around the basket and ran the floor with purpose. His ability to do this helped Takeover push the tempo.

Justin Anderson led Team Final with eight points. The Chestnut Hill Academy prospect was solid in the open floor whenever a Takeover defender was not draped over him. Marcus Littles chipped in with six points.