Gonzaga DC Classic Basketball Tournament

2011 Tournament Teams

Bishop McNamara High School
Central Catholic HS
Gonzaga College High School
Neumann-Goretti
Saint Rita of Cascia
Sidwell Friends School
The John Carrol School
The Sagemont School

BISHOP MCNAMARA (Forestville, MD)
Bishop McNamara returns to the Gonzaga DC Classic after going 23-10 last season, the second highest win total for a season in the school’s history. The Mustangs have won 61 games the last three seasons and were semifinalists in the WCAC last season, as well as taking fifth place in the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament. Coach Marty Keithline expects another great season this year, led by returning 6’2” senior guard Kelsey Jenkins. Jenkins averaged 3 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist per game last year but is expected to be a major contributor this year. He is being recruited by several high Division II schools. Also returning is 6’2” junior guard Stephan Jiggetts, who averaged 5 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist per game last year, 6’5” junior forward Wayne Johnson, who averaged 3 points and 1 rebound per game last year, 5’7” junior point guard DJ Nedab and 6’5” junior forward Kevin Robbins. 6’6” sophomore forward Tony Aranda is also expected to see a lot of playing time this year as well. Coach Keithline is very excited about this year’s team and is really looking forward to playing in the Gonzaga DC Classic. For more information about Bishop McNamara High School, see www.bmhs.org.

CENTRAL CATHOLIC (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Central Catholic Vikings are eager to begin their 2011-12 campaign by making their initial visit to the Gonzaga DC Classic. The Vikings are trying to put behind them one of their worst seasons (10-12) and not qualifying for the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League Class AAAA playoffs for the first time in 10 years. The Vikings will count on the strength of eight returning lettermen, including three starters, to propel them to a successful season. The team is led by co-captain 6’1” senior guard Lincoln Davis. Davis, who is a three-year starter, averaged 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game last year. He has been offered a scholarship to Robert Morris University and has been receiving other Division I interest from North Carolina A&T, Rider, St. Joseph’s, St. Bonaventure, Temple and Dayton. Two other seniors that started last year are co-captain Michael Anselmo and Claude Scott. Anselmo is a 5’11” guard who averaged 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Scott is a 6’5” forward who averaged 9.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Others who should make sizable contributions include 6’4” junior forward Sam Calhoun, who averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game and 6’2” junior guard David Urso, who averaged 5.6 points and 1.7 steals per game. Three other players who saw significant playing time last year and are expected add depth are 5’11” senior guard Christian Joiner, 5’11” senior guard Peter Kush and 6’3” junior guard Joe Marchione. Coach Chuck Crummie will begin his 32nd season as the Vikings’ mentor. His career record is 556-264 and he has numerous section titles and one WPIAL-AAAA title (2008), one WPIAL-AAAA Runner up (1987) and a PIAA-AAAA Runner up (1988) to Carlisle, led by former NBA player, Billy Owens. His top assistant is his son, Devin Crummie (’97). For more information about Central Catholic High School, see www.centralcatholichs.com.

GONZAGA COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL (Washington, DC)
In the twenty two year history of the Gonzaga DC Classic, the Eagles have recorded ten championships, including the last five. Host coach Steve Turner led Gonzaga to a 26-8 record last season, the WCAC finals, first place in the Gonzaga DC Classic Tournament and third place in the prestigious Alhambra Tournament. The Eagles return four starters from last season’s team, including last year’s First Team All Met player 6’1” junior guard Nate Britt. Britt is a major Division I recruit and is being recruited by North Carolina, Maryland, Villanova and Georgetown, to name a few. Gonzaga also returns 6’6” junior swingman Kris Jenkins. Jenkins averaged 14.1 points and 9 rebounds per game last year while earning second team All Met honors. Jenkins is being recruited by a host of colleges including Xavier, Miami and Rutgers. Also returning is 6’1” senior point guard Connor Reed who Turner says “does all the things needed to make us a complete team, including playing great defense and being a floor leader.” And the fourth returning starter from last year’s team is 6’2” junior wing guard Charles Glover, who averaged 8 points a game last year. The Eagles also return 6’7” senior center Will Rassman, who contributed a lot of minutes coming off of the bench last year. Also expected to contribute this year are 6’7” sophomore forward Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof and 5’11” junior point guard Tavon Blackman. Coach Turner is optimistic about the team’s chances for a successful season. “Our kids worked very hard in the off-season and our summer teams played well. We are fortunate to have four returning starters.” For more information about Gonzaga College High School, see www.gonzaga.org.

NEUMANN-GORETTI (Philadelphia, PA)
St. John Neumann-Maria Goretti makes their first appearance in the Gonzaga DC classic basketball tournament. The Saints went 27-4 last year, winning the Philadelphia Catholic League for the third consecutive year by going 13-0, and they have won a record 54 straight PCL games as well as two straight PIAA AAA championships. The Saints are ranked 21st in the country in the 2011-2012 Powerade Preseason National Rankings. Coach Carl Arrigale expects the Saints to dominate again this year as they return 10 players from last year’s team. 6’5” senior forward and four year varsity player Derrick Stewart averaged 11.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game last year, while obtaining a 3.9 GPA. He has committed to attend Rider next year. 5’9” senior point guard Billy Shanks is also a four year varsity player and averaged 9.3 points per game last year. Another returning starter from last year’s team is 6’5” junior forward John Davis, who averaged 13.5 points and 11 rebounds per game last year. Davis is being recruited by several colleges including Delaware, VCU and George Mason. Coach Arrigale expects big things this year out of 6’2” sophomore guard Jaquan Newton who averaged 9 points and 3.5 rebounds a game last year as a freshman. Newton has offers from Villanova, Rutgers and Miami. “We are looking forward to coming to Washington DC and competing in the Gonzaga DC Classic - one of the greatest Tournaments in the country,” says Arrigale. For more information about St. John Neumann-Maria Goretti High School see www.neumanngorettihs.org.

SIDWELL FRIENDS (Washington, DC)
The Quakers return to the Gonzaga DC classic basketball tournament after winning the MAC conference the past two years and posting a 20-7 record last season. The Quakers return three starters from last year’s team and Coach Eric Singletary is expecting big things out of this year’s team. 6’ senior point guard Jamal Lewis is expected to lead the way. Lewis averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game last season and has committed to play for the University of Pennsylvania next year. The Quakers also return 6’5” junior swingman Josh Hart who averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game last year. Hart is being recruited by Xavier, Georgetown and NC State to name a few. The third returning starter is 6’ junior shooting guard Matt Hillman who is being recruited by Cornell, Yale, Navy and William and Mary. Hillman averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. Coach Singletary is looking forward to playing in the Gonzaga DC Classic basketball tournament. For more information about Sidwell Friends School see www.sidwell.edu.

JOHN CARROLL (Bel Air, MD)
The John Carroll School is excited to play in the Gonzaga DC Classic Basketball Tournament for the first time. The Patriots are coming off of a super year last season, having won both the Baltimore Catholic League & MIAAA conference regular seasons and tournaments and are loaded this year. The Patriots are ranked 45th in the Country in the 2011-2012 Powerade Preseason National rankings. The Patriots are lead by 6’7” senior forward Jarred Jones who averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals per game last year. Jones is being recruited by a host of mid-major schools. The Patriots also have nationally ranked in his class 6’9” junior Center Mike Owona. Owona averaged 5 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season as a sophomore. Also nationally ranked in his class is 5’9” freshman guard Justin Jenifer. The Patriots also return 6’0” junior guard Rodney Elliott, 5’10” sophomore guard Kamau Stokes, and 6’6” senior forward Mihael Maric. Elliott, Stokes and Maric are all outstanding college prospects. Plus, Coach Tony Martin expects big things this year from 6’6” sophomore forward Lionel Owona. Playing the wing this year for the Patriots will be 5’11” senior Marcus James and 6’6” junior Christian Owona, who Coach Martin says “are two of our best athletes and add a strong defensive dimension to the team.” 6’1” junior guard Marcus Munroe is an outstanding three point shooter. Coach Martin states that “we are honored and excited to participate in such a tremendous event as the Gonzaga DC Classic basketball tournament.” For more information about The John Carroll School see www.johncarroll.org.

SAGEMONT (Weston, FL)
The Sagemont Lions make their first appearance in the Gonzaga DC Classic Basketball tournament this year. Last year, the Lions under head coach Adam Ross went 28-4 and won the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championship. This year the Lions return two stars from last season’s team in 6’8” senior power forward Jeff Coby and 6’4” senior guard Victor Rohlfs. Coby, who has committed to play at Columbia University, averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds per game last season. Rohlfs averaged 5 points and 2 rebounds per game last year but Coach Ross is expecting big things out of his versatile guard this season. Rohlfs is being recruited by Princeton, Pennsylvania and Gardner Webb. The Lions have added 6’5” junior guard Egor Koulechov, a transfer from Israel. Koulechov is being recruited by Maryland, Vanderbilt, Richmond and Syracuse. Moving up from JV is 6’5” sophomore standout guard Jordan Cooper who is being recruited by Miami, Florida State and Columbia. Coach Ross is very excited to participate in the Gonzaga DC Basketball tournament. “We have played in many of the great tournaments around the Country but based on its reputation, have missed out on one of the best. We are thrilled to be invited and look forward to a great weekend of basketball.” For more information about The Sagemont School see www.sagemont.com.

ST. RITA OF CASCIA (Chicago, IL)
Coach Gary DeCesare makes a Gonzaga DC Classic Basketball Tournament return. In 1993-94, he was the head coach of St. Raymond’s High School of New York, taking them to the Championship game but falling short on a last second play by Gonzaga College High School. After coaching seven years in college at Richmond and DePaul University, Coach DeCesare will return, this time as head coach of St. Rita, which will be making their first appearance in the Gonzaga DC Classic Basketball Tournament. The Mustangs are coming off of a 12-14 record in 2010-11. “While last season we had a disappointing record, our team gained great confidence, according to DeCesare.” While losing 6’7” forward AJ Avery for the season with a wrist injury, the Mustangs still managed to battle in every game and had a chance to win every game. The young Mustangs lost 7 games by 5 or less points. The Mustangs expect a big year out of senior Avery, who has committed to play for Western Michigan next year. 6’2” senior guard Tony Hicks, a University of Pennsylvania recruit, averaged 16 points and 4 assists last season. Also returning is 5’9” senior and three year starter point guard Cullen Foulks, 6’7” sophomore forward Victor Law, who was the second leading rebounder last season, and 6’2” sophomore guard Dominquie Matthews who averaged 11 points per game last season. The Mustangs also have two Freshman that are expected to contribute this year. 6’4” point guard Charles Matthews and 6’7” forward Myles Carter. Coach DeCesare is looking forward to a very successful season and has high hopes for this team. “Our kids worked real hard in the off season. We have some very talented young players, but very fortunate to have three returning seniors who have been battle tested the past 3 years.” For more information about St. Rita of Cascia High School see www.stritahs.com