Youth team proves to be cream of the crop

by Reginald Rogers
Paraglide

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to watch the Fort Bragg Youth 13 and14 year old basketball team as it faced its latest opponent the College Lakes Raptors at the Smith Recreation Center, near Fayetteville State University.

To say the least, I was thoroughly impressed.

Upon entering the facility, I didn’t know what to think. I received an e-mail from the team’s coach telling me about how the team had lost almost every single game for the past two or three years and that they were now undefeated. That’s a good thing, I thought to myself, but still skeptical because over the years, I’ve received numerous calls from determined coaches, who feel the need to shine after achieving what they consider a great feat.

Nevertheless, I agreed to cover the game Saturday and I arrived at the facility shortly before tip-off.

From the time the referee tossed the ball in the air and I watched a young shooting guard dribble between two defenders, slash past a third and kiss it off the glass for what looked like and easy layup, this team had my attention.

Four points later, I was in awe. Not so much that the Blue Devils were leading the Raptors 6-2, but it was the way they played that impressed me.

Every command that head coach Charles DeSouza gave was executed with the utmost perfection. This team has a slew of players who I expect to become major contributors at the next level. If they will be attending E.E. Smith High School in the not too distant future, the Golden Bulls will be serving notice to the rest of Fayetteville.

The Blue Devils’ offense is centered around a big kid named Corneal Smith, who plays center and wears No. 40. This young man was without a doubt the young version of Shaquille O’Neal when he was in his prime. Throughout the game, opposing players constantly hammered the big man, but he kept coming. He got no uncontested layups, but he kept going to the hoop. He was hacked numerous times as he released his short-range jumper and for those that he didn’t make, he simply dropped them in at the free throw line. The team established big muscle in the paint.

The above-mentioned shooting guard, DeAndre Strickland, who wears No. 21 for the team, is a perfect compliment to Smith. This kid is about as athletic as they come. He has great basketball sense; he’s long, lanky and has quick feet. On several occasions, he created his own opportunity by picking the other team’s guards and driving down court for and easy layup. He also contributed several textbook-perfect jumpers from three-point land. He is the real deal.
The team also features the talents of speedy point guard Donovan Walker, who wears No. 10.
I’ve often heard that the strongest teams are those on which every player knows his role. Walker definitely knows his role. Though he didn’t start in this game, Walker is, no doubt, the team’s regular point guard and he showed why. He came in several times, controlled the tempo, allowed his teammates to set up open shots and when they were not open, he simply pulled the trigger for his own baskets.

There is also Damien Manning, No. 23, who started in place of Walker Saturday. Manning brought athleticism, leadership and a lockdown defensive effort into the game. Pedro Reyes, who wears No. 33, took care of what basketball players call the dirty work. Reyes scrambled for loose balls, grabbed key rebounds and occasionally pulled the 15-foot jumper to keep his defenders honest.
When Mr. Smith needed a break, DeSouza plugged in his counterpart — Mr. Smith. Dion, that is. Dion Smith, the team’s backup center, wore No. 25 and delivered the same intensity that predecessor had previously given the team.

I think the biggest compliment that I could give to the team collectively is that they are just that — a team.

Every individual understands what the coach is trying to achieve and they work toward it. Not once did I hear any player bicker, complain or gripe because he was unhappy. The entire team worked hard to defeat a charging Raptors team that featured its own talented cast in Dimitri Bowlding, Marckus Patterson, Corey Singleton, Brice Davis, Tramaine Powell and Shaka Posey. The Raptors, who are coached by Ray Bowlding, made Saturday’s game quite interesting and it wasn’t until the last six minutes that the Blue Devils began pulling away.

It was easy to see why the Blue Devils are currently 7-0 and it was plain to see why DeSouza wanted coverage. They deserved it.

This is a great team and I would like to see more of the Fort Bragg community showing support. They play again Saturday at 3 p.m., this time against the Smith Jays. This should be a great game and I hope to see you there. If you can’t make that one, the playoffs will begin soon.
Until next time, I’m out.