Tag Archives: Philadelphia basketball

Close Friends Ready for Basketball Battle

February 28, 2023 By in James Nelson Stewart Tags: Leave a comment

Written By: James Nelson Stewart aka “Suburban Guru”

On the last day of February 2023, the Final 4 teams of the 6A District 1 bracket will play each other trying to make it to the District Championship Game, that will be played on March 4, 2023 at Temple University 6pm. The one game features 2 Hall of Fame State Championship winning coaches Gregg Downer (Lower Merion) and Jim Donofrio (Plymouth Whitemarsh). Both coaches have over a combined 1000 wins and 4 State Championships. The coaches bring their star power along with players such as Sr. 6-3 G Sam Brown (Lower Merion/Penn) and Sr 6-4 F Quadre Bennett (Plymouth Whitemarsh). The history of those 2 teams makes them the favorites almost annually in District 1. On the other side of the bracket are #1 seeded 22-2 Spring Ford and #5 seeded 19 Downingtown West, whose programs aren’t historically as great as Lower Merion and Plymouth Whitemarsh but both coaches (Joe Dempsey/Spring Ford and Stu Ross/Downingtown West) are very good coaches in their own right and building programs that can compete with the Elite of District 1 and throughout the state.

Donovan Fromhartz, Downingtown West

Two major building blocks for each program are extremely talented 2025 players that will compete against each other tonight but will play alongside each other in the Prestigious Philly Pride Program on the Under Armour Circuit. The 2 players Jacob Nyugen, a sweet shooting 6-4 guard from Spring Ford and the 6-5 athletic wing forward Donovan Fromhartz from Downingtown West are key building blocks for their respective High School teams and for the Philly Pride 2025 National Team. The play of these 2 young players will have a huge effect on which team will be competing for an illustrious District 1 title on Saturday. I was able to interview both players before the game to describe their friendship and the stakes for the game ahead.

When did Jacob and Donny start their friendship?
Jacob: 5th grade AAU. East Coast Power Coach Shawn Wheeler
Donovan: 1st year playing AAU and formed friendship with Carson Casmier (Lower Merion) and fellow star 2025 Jake Sniras (Garnet Valley)

Describe your friend’s game in your own words
Jacob: Donny’s tough and athletic, strong, can shoot it and takes it to the rim. Attacks rim, plays to win
Donovan: Jake’s a team player, crafty finishes, excellent shooter 3 ft behind the 3 pt line, 3 level scorer

What are your roles on your team this year?
Donovan: my role is playing positions 3/4, rebound, be aggressive, bring athleticism and scoring when the opportunity presents itself
Jacob: whatever to do to win, score and lead the team, get others involved

Talk about your Philly Pride Team
Jacob: Very good team and very hard to beat. Very excited to play this year.
Donovan: A lot of guys from last year are getting recognition, extremely hard to beat, with players such as Luke Bev (George School), Jordan Ellerbee (St. Joes Prep), Big things await. Coach Sandy Tanner (SCH)

What are you expecting from this game and from the rest of the season?
Jacob: Very close game, must show up to beat Downingtown West, want to win D1 and make run at states
Donovan: Spring Ford is very good team, great game both teams are playing well, excited away game, 1game at a time, make a run at states, District Title.

Jacob Nyugen, Spring Ford

Name some other players in your programs
Jacob: The 2 Guards G EJ Campbell (2024), Caleb Little (2023), Tommy Kelly (2025), Alex Lewis (2023) 6-0 Stats don’t tell the whole story. Lymir Green (2026) and Oben Mokonchu (2026) 2 future great players in the program.
Donovan: Division 1 Recruit Dylan Blair (2023-Army), Joey Suarez (2023-shooter), Kelly Bell (2023-High Point 6-5 Track and Field), Alex Newhouse 6-3 Defensive intensity Antonio Lewis (2024) Coupe (2024) Zeke Staz (2025) injuries but will be back next year.

Two Teams (Spring Ford and Downingtown West) and two very good friends (Jacob Nyugen and Donovan Fromhartz) prepare to battle for a spot in the District 1 title game. Many years back in 1996, two friends, two AAU teammates who became two NBA Champions and legends of the game of basketball battled in this same round in the District 1 playoffs. Lower Merion and Coatesville battled in the semifinals and those teams were led by players who became known by one name. The players were the Late Great Naismith Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant (Lower Merion) and Future Hall of Famer Richard “Rip” Hamilton (Coatesville) who became household names and NCAA/NBA Champions with the Los Angeles Lakers, Connecticut Huskies and Detroit Pistons. I’m not saying that these young men will reach those illustrious heights but let’s hope that their 1st battle tonight will lead to future greatness and maybe those young men can become household names in their future endeavors.

PASSING OF THE TORCH?? THE BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY IN THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE

February 8, 2023 By in Uncategorized Tags: Leave a comment

Wood Girls vs Lansdale Catholic Girls

Written by: James Nelson-Stewart

February 28th, 2022, I attended the PCL Championship Games at the Legendary Palestra. I got to the arena early enough to see the Girls’ Championship game that had Archbishop Carroll going against Cardinal O’Hara. Truthfully before 2020, I had not been a fan or even a spectator of HS Girls’ basketball. I knew of local players such as Dawn Staley (Dobbins/Virginia), Tammy Greene (Plymouth Whitemarsh/Textile) and Renee Womack (Methacton/Penn State, who was my friend’s John Womack’s little sister). Also, I had some knowledge of the 1987 Wissahickon Girls Team (led by Peggy Jewell, Trish Corace and Dee Perry) who made a run to the PIAA finals when I was a Middle School athlete just finding my love of sports.

Saniyah Littlejohn

To say I was any more than a casual spectator would be an overstatement. But back to February 28th, the atmosphere at the game was a growing buzz but mainly because of the Boys Final that was going to be played right after that game with Neumann Goretti and Archbishop Ryan. So as I’m walking to my seat I see my brother Trenell Clements-Herder sitting there and I greet him and ask “What’s Good, what you doing down at the game?”. Trenell, who has been the Lansdale Catholic Assistant Girls’ Coach since 2020-2021, pointed at a group of people with hoodies on and said, “That’s what up.” That group with the hoodies on was the Lansdale Catholic’s Girls team soaking up the atmosphere of the Palestra with Coach Trenell and Head Coach Eric Gidney (better known as Coach EG). I observed that group of young ladies get excited from the aura of the event and from that point on they did not lose another game until the PIAA 4A State Title Game, where their opponent that night was the Archbishop Wood Girls, who won that game 57-45.

Archbishop Wood Girls on the other hand has built a very successful program. Since 2010, the Wood Girls’ Programs has won 7 PIAA Championships and 3 PCL Championships with 9 District 12 Championships. That is quite a resume. Coach Mike McDonald has been leading this juggernaut since 2015-2016 (2014-2015 interim head coach) and has kept the ship rolling with 4 State Titles and 2 PCL Titles at the helm. Every year, he has players leaving his program and attending college at every level. One of the true Powerhouse Girls’ Programs of this region. Lansdale Catholic is trending towards that distinction every year building a winning tradition and now looking to add 2 very distinctive pieces of hardware to their collection and those are the PCL Crown first and then the PIAA 4A Title.

Gabby Casey

Those stories alone would be enough to add to the intrigue and excitement of this game, but the other back stories give this game a very classic feeling. The 2 Division 1 Signees Senior Stars of both teams (Wood’s Deja Evans-Albany and LC’s Gabby Casey-St. Joes) played AAU together with the Nationally Ranked Philadelphia Belles National Team, who was a close-knit bunch of young ladies that travelled the country and had much success. Another key part of that AAU team was Unsigned Wood Sr. G Delaney Finnegan, who has a reputation for her defensive prowess. The plot just keeps thickening with Coach Mike McDonald coaching Unsigned LC Sr. Jaida Helm, who played her 1st 3 seasons at Abington High School, who transferred to Lansdale Catholic due to Family Medical Situations. Helm was a multiple time All-League performer at Abington, who is getting interest from school at the D1 and D2 levels. A few of the ladies are very familiar with each other because they train with Elite Skills Trainer Ryan Washington (Wissahickon and Kutztown Fame) and has had players like Evans, Star LC So. Saniyah Littlejohn, Emerging LC Fr. F Isabella Allen and Heady Fr. Lead Guard Aubrey Mobley in the gym or at the park working alongside each other to push each other to higher heights. The brother of Star Wood So. Emily Knouse was also part of those workouts.

Deja Evans

This game has the potential to reach the same heights as the Camden/Imhotep and the Neumann/Roman games did with both teams having extremely excellent seasons and stakes that continue to grow with each passing game. The matchups are incredible for this Catholic League Battle. 1st Place Archbishop Wood (8-0 League, 16-3 overall) vs Tied for 2nd Lansdale Catholic (7-1 League, 17-2 overall). As we mentioned the Seniors (Wood- Deja Evans, Delaney Finnegan, Kara Meredith (Holy Family), and the injured Allie Fleming) (LC has Gabby Casey, Jaida Helm and Ali Johns). Star Sophomore Guards on both teams with LC PG Saniyah Littlejohn who has the potential to be the next BIG star in the region along with her backcourt mate Sharpshooting Nadia Yemola going up against Wood’s Sharpshooting So Wing in Emily Knouse, who also has a chance to be a high major D1 player. You have the Jr Point Guards controlling the show with Wood’s Ava Reddinger matching up with LC’s Olivia Boccella. LC Freshman Girls Mobley and Allen are getting more time and crucial minutes while Wood’s bench is deep full of Jrs., So, and Freshman. To just give you an understanding of the importance of this game, there will be a televised showing on the PCN network. Will we see a changing of the guard or will we continue to see the dominance of Wood continue. Can’t Wait and Hope to See you there.

Exactly… How Do They Block Kids?

December 4, 2022 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

Parental rights and prerogatives have long been recognized in American courts. Parental rights in making important decisions in the following three areas are recognized in every jurisdiction:

  1. Religious upbringing
  2. Medical Care
  3. Education

Religious upbringing is often a sensitive topic within families and can lead to disagreements between parents and other family members. In some cases, a parent may be concerned about religious practices and their potential influence on their child. Imagine a Christian, Jewish or Muslim family having to answer to a principal, coach or athletic director about a decision to change churches, mosques or synagogue?

Makes no sense…

Ongoing medical care child is an essential element of parenting. State and federal laws are in place to ensure that parents provide adequate healthcare coverage for their children. Imagine a family having to seek permission from a principal, coach or athletic director for a broken bone, surgery or cancer treatment?

Makes no sense…

A major component of parenting involves decisions related to education including the location of the child’s schooling and education related expenses. Details related to a child’s extracurricular activities are also an important aspect of parenting. Imagine a family having to seek permission from a principal, coach or athletic director at his old school to transfer to another school and play football, basketball, softball or tennis.

Also, makes no fuckin sense… But…

RJ Sledge, a sophomore at Imani Christian won an appeal of Bishop Canevin’s efforts to BLOCK him from playing last week.

That is exactly how the system is currently structured.

It’s as if your ex-girlfriend had veto power over who you could and could not date after you broke up. Or, your old boss could determine where you could work after you were no longer employed by the company.

Principals, coaches and athletic directors are BLOCKING kids from participating in varsity athletic with increasing frequency. In many of these cases, sports is one of the main factors keeping the kids engaged with educational institutions. This is especially the case for many young Black male student-athletes.

The struggle in the Black community is real. Recent studies indicate that 45% of Black students attended high-poverty schools, compared with 8% of white students. More than 64% of Black students have parents whose education level is less than high school. About 45% live in mother-only households. Another 35% live in father-only households.

It’s no secret that Black males between the ages of 12-25 are fueling incredible levels of violent criminal activity seen in American cities. Why would any “educator” purposely place barriers between young people and opportunities to participate in scholastic sports?

Wouldn’t you rather watch a young man run the 100 meter hurdles than witness him unloading 40-60 high caliber shells into other young men?

Wouldn’t you rather watch a young man dunk on somebody than witness him dragging someone’s grandmother out of her car at gunpoint?

I attended one PIAA eligibility hearing where after being denied an opportunity to play his senior year, a young man jumped on the table and attempted assault the coaches and athletic director that BLOCKED him from playing. I had to sit with the young man and attempt to calm him down… The anger and frustration was boiling over… Understandable, to say the least.

So… How exactly does this work? What are the tools that adults are using to douse the athletic and educational flames raging within these young people?

Let’s walk through the process… Below is page 1 of the PIAA Athletic Waiver Request Form. As you can see, page 1 collects basic demographic information and sports participation history beginning in the 7th grade.

Things get much more interesting on page 2 below. As you can see, the principal is given an a choice to “complete and sign EITHER A or B.” If the principal completes and signs A, the kid is good to go. The principal is “releasing” the kid. This is the action one would expect a career educator to take. After all, the principal is entrusted with administering a facility designed to educate and inspire young people.

The reality of the situation, unfortunately, is that principals completing and signing part B with alarming frequency.

The language is very clear, “I hereby request that the District Committee having jurisdiction over my school review the circumstances of Transfer to assess whether the Transfer was motivated in some material way by an athletic purpose and/or was the result of recruiting, which was materially motivated in some way by an athletic purpose.”

The principal at the behest of the coach and/or athletic director, at this point, has decided to BLOCK a kid from playing scholastic sports for a year. It’s NOT the District, it’s NOT the system, it’s NOT some anonymous complaint… The ONLY way a kid is BLOCKED is by the principal at the behest of the coach and/or athletic director.

This is how it works…

Maybe a coach spent a lot of extra time working with the kid in the summer or after practice. The coach feels that he has invested time and energy in the kid and now he wants to prevent another school from benefiting from his efforts. The coach feels justified in saying if you don’t play for me, you won’t play anywhere this season.

Maybe the coach at the new school never contacted the coach at the old school about the transfer. Maybe the coach feels disrespected. In a perfect world, a coach would reach out to another coach if one of his kids pops up in his gym or workout talking about transferring. That is a professional courtesy that many coaches extend. But some don’t… Should the kid have to sit a full season because a coach failed to call another coach? Naaaah… that consequence ‘s way too harsh.

Pages 3 and 4 are where the principals, coaches and athletic directors have to provide “evidence” to support their desire to prevent the kid from playing.

Fully aware that the parents have decided to transfer the kid, this is where principals, coaches and athletic directors insert “proof” that the parents are lying. This is where they tell the state to completely disregard whatever reasons the parents provided.

Family moved? School climate unsafe? Poor academics?

“Fuck all that shit… Dey lyin'”

They transferred him for athletic reasons and here is the dossier supporting are request to BLOCK the kid.

Imagine having to present this to your pastor, imam or rabbi before joining prayer?

Imagine having to present this to your pediatrician, oncologist or dentist before receiving medical treatment?

For me, it’s really very simple “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Somewhere along the line, the logic underlying Luke 6:31 has been replaced by JBM 1:1…

“Get down or Lay Down.”

Maryland’s Donta Scott Returns to Chester Biddy League

August 28, 2022 By in Uncategorized Tags: , Leave a comment

Eleven years ago, University of Maryland’s star forward Donta Scott was introduced to organized competitive basketball in through the Chester, PA “Biddy” League. Biddy Basketball was started more than 70 years ago, in 1951, by Jay Archer, Executive Director of the Youth Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Archer created Biddy Basketball to teach boys and girls the skills and fundamentals of basketball.

Maryland Star Donta Scott and Chester Biddy League participants

The Chester Biddy Basketball League is the most prestigious and longest running youth basketball league in Delaware County, PA. Chester Biddy players have gone on to compete at the high school, college, and even NBA levels. In addition to Scott, notable Chester Biddy alumni include 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Champion Derrick Jones Jr, Jameer Nelson, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Michigan State point guard A.J. Hoggard and former Penn State 3 point sniper Shep Garner.

When Scott began playing Biddy basketball as a gangly 10 year old 5th grader he was incapable making a layup. His youth coach, Howard Hudson, said “some of the kids and opposing coaches used to tease and laugh at Donta because he was so raw.” What they did not and could not possibly understand was how determined Donta was to become a good basketball player.

Donta Scott, rear center, and his National Champion Biddy Team

Two years later, as a 12 year old 7th grader, Donta was the finest Biddy player in the nation and named “Mr. Biddy” as he led his team to the National Biddy Championship. He would go on to have a legendary schoolboy career with Imhotep Charter High School in the Philadelphia Public League and become a 4 year starter for the Maryland Terrapins.

On Sunday, August 28, Scott returned to talk to some of the current participants in the Chester Biddy League. He gave the kids copies of his book Wired Differently: My School Journey and provided practical advice regarding personal decision-making. The youth were attentive and engaged as Donta talked about his time in the Biddy League and his educational experiences.

Chester Biddy player reads Scott’s book

Also in attendance were Tanner Rouse, First Asst. DA at Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, and his children. Rouse and Melissa Muroff, Assistand District Attorney, were there in support of the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods (CPSN). They were pleased to see Scott, a former Chester Biggy player, come back and deliver a positive message to the current players.

Donta Scott and Tanner Rouse, First Assistant District Attorney

Scott has given away books on six separate occasions to elementary and middle school age students in Maryland and Pennsylvania. However, he was emotional about the time he spent with the Chester Biddy League players. “I’m really thankful that the Turtle Athletic Foundation made the donation to make this possible. The Chester Biddy League was my introduction to real basketball.”

“People like Ralph Dorsey and Rayleen Pierce have given so much to me. To see them still serving youth inspires me to do my part. I remember how I felt when I spent time with (NBA players) Jameer Nelson and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Of course, I want to win another Big 10 title and a National Championship, but representing the University of Maryland like this is really important to me.”

Scott autographs a copy of his book for Ms. Rayleen Pierce

School starts next week and Scott is anxious rejoin his teammates and prepare for the upcoming season with new coach Kevin Willard.

Penn State Lands Demetrius Lilley (Lower Merion/Philly Pride)

September 24, 2021 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , Leave a comment

September 24, 2021 – Camden, New Jersey – In March of 2020, in a piece titled “The Big 10’s (Successful) Attack on Philly Mid-Majors!” I shared former Big 10 Commissionser Jim Delany’s thoughts about the Big 10 annexing Rutgers, Penn State and Maryland. Delany stated how significant the mid-Atlantic presence is to the Big 10’s long-term plans. “I don’t think people should evaluate this in the short term. But in a 25-year or 50-year period, I think they’re going to be very competitive. They are added value. “If you don’t venture out,” Delany said, “you never gain anything.

Newly installed Penn State basketball coach Micah Shrewsberry has demonstrated that he plans to venture out to Philly. Under Shrewsberry’s predecessor, Penn State established a solid recruting foothold in Philadelphia. Former Head Coach Pat Chambers and his top assistant Keith Urgo repeatedly come into Philly and landed some of the best players. Newbill (Public League), Carr (Catholic League), Stevens (Catholic League), Garner (Catholic League), Watkins (Public League) and Brockington (Catholic League) played very well for the Nittany Lions.

The Chambers regime left Seth Lundy (Catholic League), Sam Sessoms (Friends League) and John Harrar (Central League) on the Nittany Lion roster.

One had to wonder if Coach Shrewsberry and Penn State would continue to aggressively recruit Philadelphia. Moreover, assuming they wanted to, it was fair to ask if they would be able to continue grabbing top shelf Philly prospects.

Well… The answer is yes and yes.

With the commitment of Demetrius Lilley (Lower Merion/Philly Pride) to Penn State, joining Jameel Brown (Westtown/Team Final) Penn State has effectively demonstrated a commitment to recruiting Philly.

Jameel Brown is ranked #148 by Rivals. According to Rivals, Lilley is the #31 center.

Black Cager Fall Classic Returns with Local and National Power House Programs Set to Compete

September 4, 2021 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , Leave a comment

September 3, 2021 (Camden, NJ) – Black Cager Sports is proud to announce the return of the Fall Classic Pre-Season Basketball Tournament. Some of the nation’s finest scholastic squads will hit the courts at Charger Nation for the two day event from Saturday, September 18 to Sunday, September 19.

“We feel this year may be the best version of the Fall Classic since we started in 2016. The quality and the depth of the basketball talent is exceptional and will lead to exciting games as some of the best high school players on the eastern seaboard have the chance to showcase their abilities. Many of the players have offers from BIG 10, SEC, ACC, AAC, A10 and Big East programs,” said Delgreco Wilson, Founder of Black Cager Sports.

Duece Jones, Trenton Catholic Prep Academy sophomore PG

Most importantly, this years Fall Classic is sponsored by Black Cager Academic Advising. As a result, every participating school will receive 2 free NCAA Eligibility/Transcript Evaluations. The academic evaluation reports helps student-athletes, parents, AAU coaches and college coaches make more informed decisions during the recruitment process.

An academic evaluation report from Black Cager Academic Advising will:
• Identify the academic documents being evaluated
• Include our statement of progress toward NCAA eligibility
• Include your Core Course Grade Point Average and total Core Credits
• Describe our evaluation methodology
• Be certified by the evaluator (with certification stamp and signature)
• Be emailed and/or mailed in an ‘evaluation sealed & stamped envelope’

The iconic Fall Classic pre-season tournament has hosted many future high major college superstars over the years. Since it’s establishment in 2016, the Black Cager Fall Classic has welcomed in the next generation of top East Coast ballers. The most recent wave of talent has included Kentucky sophomore forward, Lance Ware, Villanova freshman forward, Nnanna Njoku and Temple freshman point guard Hysier Miller. Other Fall Classic Alums include Collin Gillspie (Villanova), Rahsool Diggins (UConn), Jaylen Stinson (JMU), Jahmir Brickus (La Salle), Lynn Greer III (Dayton), Seth Lundy (Penn State), Ace Baldwin (VCU) and Bernard Lightsey (Lincoln).

There are remaining slots for this year’s event. We also hope to have a few of the top girls teams participate.

Derek Simpson, Lenape Senior PG, Rutgers Commit

Some of the the top players include:
Jahnathan Lamothe (#44 Rivals c/o 2023, St. Frances Academy, Undecided)
Javon Adams (c/o 2022, Olympus Prep, Undecided)
Anthony Finkley (c/o 2023 West Catholic, Undecided)
Kaseem Watson (c/o 2022 West Catholic, Undecided)
Kareem Watson (c/o 2022 West Catholic, Undecided)
Zion Stanford (c/o 2023 West Catholic, Undecided)
Bryce Lindsay (c/o 2022, Bishop Walsh, Undecided)
Derek Simpson (c/o 2022 Lenape, Rutgers Commit)
TJ Robinson (c/o 2024 Bishop Walsh, Undecided)
Kobe Magee (c/o 2022 Executive Education, Drexel Commit)
Michael “Deuce” Jones (c/o 2024 Trenton Catholic Academy, Uncommitted)
Jeremiah Bembry (c/o 2022 Executive Education, Undecided)
Cortez Johnson (c/o 2022 St. Frances Academy, Undecided)
Daniel Alcantara (c/o 2022 Reading, Undecided)
Ruben Rodriguez (c/o 2024 Reading, Undecided)
Justin Moore (c/o 2022 Archbishop Wood, Undecided)
Jacob Beccles (c/o 2022 Constitution, Undecided)
Jahiem Bethea (c/o 2022 MCS, Undecided)
Robert Wright III (c/o 2024 Neumann-Goretti, Undecided)
Kaafiq Myers (c/o 2024 Neumann-Goretti, Undecided)
Niame Scott (c/o 2023 Conwell-Egan, Undecided)

The Fall Classic welcomes several new teams to tournament:
• Bishop Walsh HS (MD)
• Players from Gwynn Park HS (MD)
• Lenape HS (NJ)
• Muhlenberg HS (PA)
• Conwell-Egan HS (PA)

Locally, this season’s event welcomes three of the top teams in the state of Pennsylvania, including 6A State Champion Reading HS, Philadelphia Catholic League Champion Archbishop Wood, District 1 power Plymouth-Whitemarsh as all perennial state title contenders Neumann-Goretti and Constitution.

Reading HS 2021, State Champions

The 2021 Fall Classic will run four sessions – with morning and afternoon sessions featuring four games each on both days of the event.

“We are very excited to have our basketball program to participate in a tournament that has become an East Coast tradition,” said St. Frances Academy Head Coach, Nick Myles. “The opportunity to play against some of the top talents in the Mid-Atlantic region will prepare us for the long season ahead.”

Black Cager Sports has partnered with Charger Nation, a regional sports management company, to manage all event operations. Charger Nation has worked with many of the regions leading basketball organizations and teams including Catholic, Private and Public school programs. Charger Nation has managed hundreds of grassroots and AAU events.

For more information on the tournament, follow @BlackCagerFallClassic on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About Black Cager Sports
Black Cager Sports aims to raise academic outcomes through athletics for high school participants throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Black Cager sports has touched the lives of more than 200 young people, over the last decade, boosting the graduation and college acceptance rates of its members to about 95%. Many program participants credit the program’s encouragement, tutoring, and guidance with setting them up for success in college admissions and beyond. “They were the first people to actually sit me down and say, ‘Hey, you can do it. This is exactly how you can achieve your goals. You can go to college,’” says Taquan Woodley, a class of 2021 alumnus.  “They really believed in me before I even believed in myself.”

The Paucity of Black Coaches: Does it Matter?

January 3, 2016 By in College Athletics, Uncategorized, Urban Education Tags: , , Leave a comment

African-Americans have long dominated college basketball on the court. Every year, college send their coaches into Black communities in search of talented Black basketball players. These coaches beg, plead and some even try to bribe young Black men to come play for their colleges and universities.

In the overwhelming majority of instances, the Head Coaches are white. The players are, for the most part, Black.

Does this matter?

Should players, their parents, AAU coaches and others involved in the school decision process consider the racial background of the coaches?

If they do not consider the racial background of the Head Coaches, will the situation ever improve?

Are Black males destined to remain the “talent”? Will their presence on the sideline ever match their presence on the court?

Basketball Racial Disparity-page-0

As you can see on the chart (above), Black players are disproportionately represented in the uniforms. These are ten of the biggest conferences with the largest basketball budgets in the nation.

In the Missouri Valley Conference, Blacks make up about half the players and there are ZERO (0) Black Head Coaches in that league. ZERO!

If Black players never see Black Head Coaches and Black Athletic Directors, how will they envision themselves in these positions of authority?

Kwalifi logo

The DEVIL is a LIAR! Our kids WANT to learn!

December 13, 2015 By in College Athletics, Urban Education Tags: , , , , , , 4 Comments

Black student-athletes don’t care about academics… Inner city High School coaches don’t emphasize the importance of books…

Last week a U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia openly stated “There are those who contend that it does not benefit African Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less-advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well.”

I’m here to tell you…

Devil is Liar

Out kids are thirsty for knowledge. They want to learn! They want to go to college. They want to create better situations for themselves and their families.

What they lack is a road map. How do they accomplish their goals? They have no idea. What are the obstacles the face? They have no clue.

What I know for sure is that High School Coaches want to see their kids excel and further their education. Coach after coach has demanded that I come in an explain the NCAA eligibility process to their players. Indeed, Lou Williams at Dobbins Vo-Tech insisted that I hang up the phone and come talk to his players immediately. Of course, I jumped in my car and headed to 22nd and Lehigh. Upon arriving, Coach Williams stopped practice because he said, “education is MORE important” than what they were reviewing in practice.

Time after time, the same scenario plays itself out… The DEVIL is liar…

Andre Noble and Rob Moore - kwalifi poster-page-0

The coaches know that in June of 2013 Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. laid off 3,783 employees, because of the district’s financial crisis. The list included 676 teachers, 283 counselors, 127 assistant principals, and 1,202 noontime aides. Before he said it, the coaches knew that “These … employees are more than numbers: these are people — professionals — who play important roles in the lives of thousands of students throughout our city.”

The coaches see the results… Hite called the layoffs “nothing less than catastrophic for our schools and students… Every aspect of the district will feel the impact — schools, regional offices, and central office — along with employees ranging from senior administrators to support staff.”

I have been amazed by the extent to which the coaches and the student-athletes persist in the desire to pursue higher education… Everyone knows Philly’s students and student-athletes have long received the short end of the stick. Yet, they strive…

Kwalifi logo

When I show up to talk about NCAA regulations and the kwalifī smartphone app, I am frequently told “I already downloaded it and put my grades in…”

I cannot put into words how that makes me feel… To know that my idea, my concept, my plan has come to fruition and the young people are using it without being prompted nearly made me cry! Youngbucks have called me from Baltimore asking how to interpret their results and I have yet to visit a single school in Maryland.

It’s not just under-performing urban schools… Predominantly white and middle to upper class Upper Moreland, Wissahickon and Pymouth-Whitemarsh have embraced kwalifī. But, the intent was and will always remain to help those who are most needy… For years, I have spent hours and hours with some of the sharpest, most intelligent young men in the country. I have seen many of these guys go on to do great things in college and beyond. Here is a partial list…

Kwalifi - Partial Client List-page-0(1)

With the kwalifi app, instead of 10-15 per year, we will be able to help tens of thousands!!

Team Photos-page-0(1)

The young brothers pay attention to the message… They ask very good questions…

Team Photos-page-1

I love, love, love this particular project… For us, by us… But everyone should feel free to download and utilize the kwalifī app…

Team Photos-page-2

I will be visiting schools every day for the rest of the school year… If you want us to talk to your guys/girls contact us blackcager@gmail.com…

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We must remain vigilant… We cannot allow a return to the days of yore…

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…and remember… The DEVIL is a LIAR!!

Do Y’all Even Give A Fuck? Notes of a Madd Ol’Head

December 4, 2015 By in College Athletics, Urban Education Tags: , , , 1 Comment

With the start of the High School Basketball season upon us, the Black Cager has few things he wants to get off his chest… This information is presented “WITH LOVE” and nothing I write is directed at any particular individual… However…

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Yo… HS Coach, why you tryin’ to get that boy to transfer to your school?

You know the average SAT score at your school is 650… You know the kid is at a good school right now… The average SAT score at his current school is 1280… His science labs have modern, functioning, state of the art equipment… Your school has 15 year old text books and the students have to share those…

Last year, there was one suspension at his school. There was a heated argument and one girl slipped and called another girl an “ugly bitch.” She fucked up and said it in front of that nosey meddlesome group of parents that volunteer at the school 3-4 days a week. Of course, they reported her to the Head Master and his hands were tied… He had to suspend her for one (1) day… That’s as bad as it gets at his current school…

Last year, at your school there were 4-5 fights per day. Everyday, weapons and potential weapons are confiscated as students arrive for their daily trek through the metal detector gauntlet. There are 3 armed police officers assigned to your school. One of the rooms adjacent to the main office has been converted to a “holding cell.” The police make trips to take “offenders” to the station for processing.

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The counselors told you that there were 23 pregnancies at your school. You took three of your players to the clinic when you realized they were “burning.”

C’mon man… How…..

How do you even broach the subject of the kid transferring from such a well regarded, high achieving learning environment to your abysmally under-performing school? One hundred percent of the students at his school are admitted to college and many end up in Ivy League institutions. Conversely, only about 26% of the Black males in your school will actually receive a diploma.

Does high school basketball mean that much to you?

Are you really willing to place your desire to win a league, city and/or state championship above the clear cut “best interests” of this young man?

You’re fucked up!

Yo… AAU coach, why you trying to get that boy to change AAU programs?

He’s been with those guys for six (6) years. When they first got him, he couldn’t make two consecutive layups. He was garbage… No one wanted him.

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That range from anywhere on the floor all the way out to NBA three… It didn’t just appear. Those guys put in hundreds of hours in the gym working on that jumper. That soft touch around the rim, where he uses both hands to finish with a variety of moves, is the result of intensive drills day in day out. You know how he gets in the triple threat position and uses jabs and shot fake? Well, they work so well because those guys spent countless hours improving his first step.

When they got the kid, he was soft as cotton candy. Now, he fights hard to get good position on the block, and even harder when crashing the offensive glass. That’s the result of reinforcing the mental aspects of the game day in and day out for years. They have developed a kid with a strong personality with great confidence who never gets down on himself. There are few doubts about him becoming a big time impact talent at the collegiate level.

Now… You want him to abandon those guys and come play with you?

He already has 23 scholarship offers… How does changing programs benefit him?

Are you really gonna place your desire to win AAU tournaments and secure a shoe company endorsement over what’s best for the kid?

You’re fucked up!

Yo Mom… Why you not playing the parental role?

That boy is only 12… I know he can be a handful. He’s going through that stage. He’s trying to figure out who he is.

He wants to be a baller!

But… Pay attention… I mean… seriously…

Pay attention…

You need him to be a student-athlete. Or, should I say STUDENT-athlete! In order to accomplish that goal, he needs his parents to play a parental role.

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Black student-athlete at his desk

I know it seems innocuous… The “mentor” seems nice… He looks out for your son. He picks him up almost every day to go to the gym. He feeds him before he brings him back. He’s given him 6 or 7 pairs of sneakers. I know it feels like a real burden’s been lifted off your back. Those sneaks cost $125-$200 a pair.

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Your son seems happy… He’s traveled to New York, the Jersey Shore, Washington, D.C, Virgina Beach and Orlando to play ball. There’s no way you could have afforded to take him all those places.

I understand… But… Nothing is free…

Here is where you need to be careful. The “mentor” is gonna come and tell you that your son should change schools. He’s gonna tell you that his current school cannot “develop” your son to his full potential. He’s gonna tell you that your son should go to “Big Catholic/Private HS.” He’s gonna tell you it’s a much better school and he may be right in that regard…

What he isn’t telling you is that he has a relationship with the coach at “Big Catholic/Private HS”… He isn’t gonna tell you that the transfer is designed to ensure that he strengthens his “control” over your son’s scholastic basketball career…

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Knowing full well that you can’t afford to pay $9,000, $22,000 or even $30,000 per year, he’s gonna tell you that your son will receive a “scholarship.”

Beware… If your son does not develop as player the “scholarship” funds will disappear. If your family decides to move, you may find out you have accumulated a balance that will have to be paid in full before your school records are released to his new school. If you son has disciplinary issues, you may discover that same balance is due the day they ask you to leave.

I can safely predict that they will tell you that you son need to repeat a grade (reclassify) when he enters “Big Catholic/Private HS.” The stated reason will be that he is inadequately prepared for the more rigorous curriculum. The extra year will allow him to become acclimated to more challenging academic setting. The more pressing, and often unstated, reason is that 19 year old seniors are more effective high school players than 17 or 18 old seniors.

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You may agree with all of the above, but it should ALWAYS be your decision. Do NOT relinquish your parental control.

When the college coaches start to call, text and direct message your son, make sure you are in the loop. It may seem convenient to let the mentor “handle” his recruitment. College coaches are worse than the most persistent bill collector you have ever encountered. They are relentless and the amount of communication can seem overwhelming. But, it’s part of the process.

Always remember that the interests of the mentor and those of your family might be aligned and they also might NOT be aligned. There may be outstanding academic colleges offering your son a scholarship but unwilling to make donations to the mentor’s “program.” If a less prestigious, less competitive college is willing to make a donation to the mentor’s “program” he will steer you toward that program. More importantly, you may never even know the other school offered a scholarship.

Are you really gonna place your convenience above the best interests of your son?

If so, you’re fucked up!

Which begs the question: Do y’all even give a fuck?

 

A Tough PHILLY Guard: The Recruitment of Traci Carter

February 18, 2015 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Traci Carter, like so many great and very good South Philadelphia ballers that came before him, studied under the master.  He was a skinny somewhat shy 7th grader when I first encountered him in 2010. There he was in the excruciatingly hot gym at the Marian Anderson Recreation center running and running while Claude Gross was fussing, cussing and, most importantly, TEACHING every moment of the practice. Gross is a Philadelphia schoolboy legend. He was the MVP in 1952 while leading Ben Franklin High School to the Public league Championship. An unflinchingly honest and acerbic man, Gross doesn’t tolerate foolishness or bad basketball. Both are likely ignite a stream of profanity that would make Richard Pryor blush.

Claude and MustfaClaude Gross ‘instructing’ South Philly’s Mustafaa Jones immediately after he hit a game winning shot to defeat St. Joseph’s

Lionel Simmons, Geoffrey Arnold, Donnie Carr, Nate Blackwell, Maurice Lucas, Dion Waiters, Biggie Minnis and Mo Howard are just a few of the players that have benefited from the uniquely delivered instruction and unconditional love offered by Gross over the past six decades. Traci is the latest fruit from the Claude Gross tree.

This particular day, I was there with another of Claude’s proteges, Rashid Bey. Rashid was winding down an illustrious playing career that included being twice named Big 5 MVP, leading St. Joseph’s to the Sweet 16 and playing in Europe for more than a decade. Always restless, Bey was in the gym everyday with Claude’s South Philly ‘Developmental’ and ‘Future’ teams in the legendary Sonny Hill League. These are kids in grades 6-8.

Watching the practice, I asked Rashid “who can play… which one has a chance?”

He immediately called Traci over and introduced us. At the time Traci might have been 5’7″ and weighed maybe 125 lbs.

Traci-Carter-vs-Westtown“This is Del… He’s my guy… you need to stay in touch with him. I think you can play college basketball and he can help you with the academic part.”

Chewing on the collar of his shirt, Traci mostly stared at the floor. We exchanged numbers and, because Claude and Rashid asked me to, I have stayed in touch with him since then. Our conversations very rarely center on basketball. Indeed, I have seen him play exactly two times in six (6) years. Once at the Reebok Invitational Tournament and again last week at Life Center Academy.

Nonetheless, I was never worried about his basketball development. He has always been in good hands, Traci is a child of South Philly. Former LaSalle great Donnie Carr has assumed primary responsibility for Traci’s athletic, social and emotional development. With Donnie, Rashid and Claude in his corner, Traci can’t go wrong. The basketball foundation was simply too strong.

My role over the years has been to badger him and monitor his academic development. A few times a month, I would check in or he would call me. Occasionally we would sit a classroom and together calculate his core GPA. I always wanted to make sure he understood exactly what he needed to accomplish. Traci would text me a picture of his grades whenever he received his report card. I steadfastly attempted to keep him on track academically. It would be challenging because he experienced quite a few bumps in the road outside the classroom. The way he has dealt with the circumstances makes him much more likely to succeed at the next level.

As a freshman at Prep Charter, in South Philly, Carter was expected to be an instant contributor and lead the school back to prominence in the Public League. Before he could play a game, he suffered a knee injury which required surgery… Out for the season…

Tracicarter romanAs a sophomore, Traci expressed a strong desire to be in more rigorous academic setting and play in a stronger basketball program. So, he ended up transferring to Roman Catholic High School. Playing his first year of scholastic basketball, he was named 3rd team All-Catholic while helping Roman Catholic reach the Catholic League semi-finals where they lost to St. Joseph’s Prep.

All was well… Until Carter violated the disciplinary code at Roman and was forced to find a new school…

Genuinely remorseful about his indiscretions, Carter and Donnie Carr reached out to Pervis Ellison, the Head Coach at Life Center Academy. Pastor Dave Boudwin and Ellison agreed to take Carter and he moved to Burlington, NJ. Teaming with Trayvon Reed (Auburn) and Malik Hines (UMass), Traci had a good junior year. His backcourt running mate was Pervis’ son Malik Ellison, another highly rated college prospect. Heading into the summer, Traci was widely considered one to the top 100 players in the country.

Malik & TraciTraci & Malik, Life Center Academy backcourt mates

And then it happened again… Another knee injury… Another surgery… Traci missed the entire summer AAU circuit… He recruiting came to a virtual standstill…

He was despondent. I went to visit him and his leg was immobilized and his spirits were down.

“Traci, you have to remain focused. You have to maintain your discipline with regards to your academic pursuits. Don’t let this injury affect your grades.”

“I got you Del.”

Slowly, but surely he regained his strength. But then his partner went down. Malik Ellison broke his leg. Traci would have to start his senior season without his main man running alongside him. Predictably, Life Center struggled immensely. Eventually, Ellison would return and once again the basketball community began to buzz.

Traci dribblingEvery day, there were different coaches in the gym… Pat Chambers (Penn State), Steve Lavin (St. John’s), Jim Christian (Boston College), Rick Pitino (Louisville), Kevin Ollie (UConn), Chris Mack (Xavier), John Giannini (LaSalle) and Fran Dunphy (Temple) are just few that made it to Burlington for glimpse of the ‘Traci Carter’ Show.

Rebecca Boudwin, an adviser to Life Center students raves about Carter. “He’s been such a wonderful addition to our learning and spiritual community. We love all of our basketball players, but Traci is special. We see how hard he works on and off the court. We’ve seen how he handled adversity. Through it all he has remained focused on his academics. We are extremely proud of Traci.”

With his grades in order and a qualifying score under belt, Carter is set to begin visiting different colleges. He says he wants to take all 5 of his official visits.

TRaci ShepTraci and Shep Garner at Penn State with Coach Chambers

Carter says, “The coaches have been so respectful to me during the recruiting process. I have grown to really like several of them. I feel like I need to go see and feel the campuses in order to make an informed decision.”

As far as official visits, he says will probably go to 5 from among The University of California, Marquette, UConn, NC State, Memphis and Xavier. Unofficially, Carter will take trips to see Penn State, Temple, LaSalle and a few others.

“I just want to find a place where I can continue to learn as a student and a basketball player. I want an opportunity to compete for playing time as a freshman and I want to graduate from college.”

Donnie Carr and the rest of South Philly have done an exemplary job guiding the young man this far, no reason to think they won’t continue making good choices.

Be on the look out for Traci Carter, he’s one tough PHILLY guard!