HG Summer Jam Fest: USAD escapes with 17U championship
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
MANHEIM, PA – Winning a championship during the July Live Period is never easy. USAD made sure it lived up to that theory.
The Connecticut based team once had a comfortable lead before it held on for a 60-59 win over DC Blue Devils, via New Hampshire, to win the 17U Summer Jam Fest at Spooky Nook Sports.
Winning the championship helped USAD hit the reset button.
“We had to regroup,” coach Troy Bradford said. “Most of the kids were playing for the (college) coaches and not as a team.”
USAD’s players did come together. The college coaches who followed them throughout the weekend and stayed to watch the title came had to walk away impressed with a number of players.
Malik Petteway helped seal the game late in the game. The 6-foot-7 forward pulled up for a three-pointer as his team trailed by two. He proceeded to knock down two-of-three free throws. His effort helped sealed the game to finish with 14 points.
“He is a freak athletically,” Bradford said. “We told him to go. We knew we didn’t have any time.
“Anyone who caught the ball they needed to take the shot.”
EJ Crawford led USAD with a game-high 22 points.
“He played solid all weekend,” Bradford said. “He can score in various ways.”
USAD also got a strong performance from Roy Kane, who contributed with 16 points.
The DC Blue Devils had a chance to put the game way late but failed in its execution. There were turnovers and missed rebound opportunities keeping the door open for USAD.
Geo Baker scored a team-high 18 points for the Blue Devils. Caleb Green had 14 points. Tsiefu Ngalakulondi added 12 points.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.