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EDDIE GRIFFIN CHALLENGE: CLASS OF 2011 GAME

Team from Philly upends Jersey counterparts in challenge game

by Matt Whitfield

The young and talented sophomores from New Jersey lead by Myles Davis and Sterling Gibbs started off the day facing off against a much bigger and more physical looking sophomore crew from Philadelphia, lead by Devin Coleman.

Philadelphia, who at my count, had four players that physically looked like they were in college came out and controlled the game from the start. Despite the efforts and hard fought play New Jersey could never control their own destiny as they were simply out sized and rebounded. Philadelphia controlled the rebounds by a margin of 47 to 33. They were also able to quell New Jersey runs in the 3rd and 4th quarter en route to a 93-85 victory.

“…we made a comeback at the end of the game to actually make a game of it, because Philly had proven to be the tougher state/city at the beginning, but it was good that we left it out on the court and gave them a run for their money,” Sterling Gibbs told the NBE Basketball Report of the contest.

This game was not without highlights though. In the second quarter Keith Coleman slam dunked, one handed, off a shot that banked off the rim. Another play that really caught the fans eyes and mine was the leaping block of Keith Coleman’s shot by New Jersey PG Tyrone Johnson, who was a good 4-5 inches shorter than Coleman. Johnson is a top prospect in football and basketball (see the player notes for more about him).

Juan’ya Green finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, and a steal was given the MVP award for the Philadelphia team. Myles Davis who ended the day with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals was the MVP for New Jersey. Other leading scores for the sophomore game included Tyrone Johnson with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 steals; Sterling Gibbs with 19 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist; Devin Coleman with 15 points and 4 blocks, and John Johnson with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and a block.

Some player notes:

Jersey Sophomores:

Sterling Gibbs, 6’0” PG. Seton Hall Prep:
Brother of Pittsburgh Panthers’ guard Ashton Gibbs. Nice dribbling skills. A leader on the court who looks to pass. Frequently took it to the basket, however he didn’t always finish. Is being looked at by several big time programs.

“The schools that have shown interest are Maryland, Connecticut, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, Florida, and Rutgers,” Gibbs indicated to NBE. As for favorites, too early to call as “at this point all of the schools are even,” says Sterling.

Tyrone Johnson, 6’2” PG. Plainfield HS:
Also Plainfield HS QB. Top flight athlete for his age. Can absolutely fly, very agile, moves up and down the court with ease. Isn’t afraid to take it inside past defenders twice his size. Can very easily see him being a football star without ever seeing him in pads. Probably the fastest player on the court. Holds interest from many major schools for both football and basketball.

Myles Davis, 6’2” SG. St. Peters Prep:
Shoots the 3 point ball with ease. When open he almost always knocked the 3 down. When he’s not taking the 3 point shoot he isn’t overly noticeable. Average defense, decent ball handle. Will grow into better player. Sophomore game MVP for New Jersey.

Vaughn Gray, 6’4” SF. Don Bosco Prep:
Looks like he could grow into a top notch basketball player. As he bulks up his game will improve. Isn’t afraid to take it to the hole. Holds interest from several Atlantic 10 schools and interest should grow with his game.

Philadelphia Sophomores

John Johnson, 6’1” SG. Girard College H.S:
High up-tempo game, an absolute speed demon. Pure scorer. Can see him being a solid contributor at a big time school.

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