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Player Diary: Brandon Ewing of Chicago Julian
Brandon Ewing (Chicago Julian) Special to Chicago Hoops June 8, 2004 Email Questions/Comments To brian@chicagohoops.com Brandon Ewing of Chicago Julian High School brings the fourth installment of his player diary to ChicagoHoops.com. Brandon ranks as one of the top Class of 2005 basketball prospects in the state of Illinois, and will bring us a special look inside his recruitment, and his life on and off of the basketball court. What’s up everybody? This is B.Ewing and I am back with the fourth installment of my ChicagoHoops.com Diary. Sometimes is really sucks to be me! I recently traveled to North Carolina for the Bob Gibbon’s Tournament of Champions. In our first game, I played very well and registered a double-double, scoring 17 points and recording 11 steals. I knew I was on my way to a terrific tournament, and looked forward to my team making the championship of the 17-U National Division. In the second game, I was making sure my teammates got involved, and was playing my usual tenacious defense. We pretty much had the game in hand and were leading by about 18 points when my coach sat me and Jerel McNeal down to save us for the next game. With less than three minutes remaining, the Smyrna Stars started to make a run and got the lead down to 8. We were put back in, and I immediately knocked down a three. On the next play I made a move on my defender and got past him, faked a pass to throw off the help side defender, and scored a lay-up. That’s when it happened; I came down wrong, and severely sprained my ankle. I tried to walk it off but the pain was unbearable. I was finished for the rest of the TOC, and this was the closest I have ever been to being depressed. My teammates and parents were there to get my spirits up and let me know that there will be many more games in my future. I stopped feeling sorry for my misfortune and thanked God that the injury was not serious. I regained my focus and got busy with the task at hand, which was supporting my team in their effort to win a TOC title. If I couldn’t play, I could sure cheer, coach and act a fool on the sidelines to keep them fired up. We lost our final pool game to the New York Panthers and played in the 17-U Select Division Tournament. Sunday morning we played the Jackson Panthers. Brandon Dagans was on fire and played like a mad man. Maurice Acker and Joevan Catron also played well as did the entire bench. These guys were stepping up big time. With four minutes remaining, the game was stopped on the mercy rule. Next we played the Georgia Hawks. This time it was Donnie Lyons who went to work. Donnie was on a mission, and Meanstreets was showing that everybody on this team can come up big. We were going to the championship game of the 17-U Select, and we thought we would face the Illinois Wolves. We were hyped, and I was going to find some way to play in that game. It didn’t turn out that way because the Wolves were beaten by OJ Mayo and the D-1 Greyhounds. We went on to play the D-1 Greyhounds, and Donnie stood out again in this game dunking on everybody. He has some serious ups! Shortly before halftime, Jerel McNeal got his knee injured, and would miss the rest of the game. With me and Jerel out, Maurice ”Lil Reese” Acker played the ultimate game at point guard. He was breaking down the defense, and dishing the ball perfectly and our guys were finishing. We won the game again by the mercy rule. Meanstreets is no joke! We are the 2004 Bob Gibbon’s TOC 17-U Select Champions. Donnell Lyons was named the MVP and he earned it. Jerel McNeal was named to the All-Tourney team. Maurice Acker and Brandon Dagans should also have made the All-Tourney team, but I guess they had to spread the love. Right now, I am rehabbing my ankle, and trying to get back into playing shape. I have some unofficial visits planned for the upcoming weeks. I will be going to Louisville, Illinois, Akron and a few others. I will try to at least make an unofficial to every school that has shown me love regardless of the conference, or if they are high or mid-major. I appreciate all the time they spend recruiting me, and will show my appreciation by at least taking the time to see their schools, and their basketball programs. I have received a few more offers in the last week, but I am keeping my options open, and I am not in any rush to commit although I will probably make a decision before the school season starts. Well that’s all for now, I will give y’all another update when I get back from Louisville. Until next time! Peace |
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