Summer league boys basketball
The prestigious St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Summer Basketball League, officially known as the Sleepy Thompson Summer League, is in full-swing on St. Stephen’s Lane.
The league has been in existence for approximately two decades and is named for the legendary St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes athletic director and coach.
Thirteen teams are participating this June and July.
Local teams include the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Saints, the Bishop Ireton Cardinals, the Edison Eagles and the Hayfield Hawks.
The T.C. Williams Titans, which participated in the league during the summer of 2007, are not participating this season, nor are the West Potomac Wolverines, the Mount Vernon Majors, the Jefferson Colonials or the Episcopal Maroon.
The league commenced games on June 16 and the Championship Game is scheduled for Aug. 1.
Early season standings are as follows: Annandale (2-0), C.D. Hylton, Prince William (2-0), Lake Braddock (2-0), Herndon (2-1), St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (1-0), Washington-Lee (1-0), Hayfield (1-1), Ireton (0-1), Wakefield (0-1), W.T. Woodson (0-1), Edison (0-2), Maret, D.C. (0-2) and Westfield (0-2).
The young Saints team sees the summer experience as a chance to improve and get ready for the upcoming hardcourt season.
Director Kevin McLinton said, “It gives the players the opportunity to develop their skills and get familiar with one another on the court.”
McLinton, who played guard at the University of Maryland a little more than a decade ago, is also the Saints varsity basketball coach and is the son of former Washington Redskin linebacker Harold McLinton.
Velocity Sports Performance, more or less in conjunction with the summer league, is offering youngsters a chance to improve their basketball training through their various programs. All interested youngsters may receive more information by contacting Donnie Zimmerman (703-916-1200 – dzimmerman@velocitysp.com – www.velocitysp.com/alexandria).
All-star football
At the recent Northern Region Classic senior all-star football game, the “West” defeated the “East” 44-23.
The annual mid-June football game, featuring just-graduated seniors from the Northern Region public schools, was played June 20 at West Springfield High School. These players have signed with colleges or hope to sign with colleges.
The West was comprised of players from the Concorde and National Districts. The East was comprised of players from the Liberty and Patriot Districts.
Fifteen local players participated: six on the West squad and nine on the East squad.
The victorious West squad included: Edison’s Ben Barber and Kevin Carter and Mount Vernon’s Dameon Carr-Walker, Brandon Daniel, Kenny Hogue and Brandon Houston.
The losing East squad included: West Potomac’s Robert Byrd, Kerem Ertekin, Josh McFarland, Chris Newkirk, A.J. Waugh, Josh Wells and Emanuel Williams and Hayfield’s Collins Asomaning and John Hickson.
T.C. Williams and Jefferson were not represented.
Edison wide receiver Ben Barber, a Virginia Tech signee, accounted for two touchdowns (12-yard and an 18-yard scoring receptions) and was awarded the West MVP Award.
Edison Eagle teammate Kevin Carter also scored in the contest with an 11-yard touchdown run.
During their varsity seasons at Edison, Barber and Carter were both coached by Vaughn Lewis, the “dean” of the Northern Region coaching ranks.
Private school summer camps
Episcopal High School, Ireton High School and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes High School all offer a wide range of summer camps over the upcoming weeks, sports and other-wise.
For more information, contact Damian Walsh at Episcopal (703-933-3000 x 4043); Pete Hamer at Ireton (703-212-5190) or Andy Taibl at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (703-212-2777).
