28/12/2022
December 28, 2022
Flight cancellations are a pain in the bottom. Not everyone has a Comet, a Blitzen nor a Rudolph in their garage for energencies. Always put your trust in a greyhound or a choo-choo and bring a thick book or a downloaded film to pass the time. That is the advice this well-travelled and well-intentioned Deaf Sports Reporter gives you.
Mid-Season Fabulous Five Rankings:
1. California - Riverside (9-3)
2. Marie Phillip Walden School (7-1)
3. Alabama (7-5)
4. Washington (4-2)
5. Kansas (3-1)
The Super Six:
• Xavier DeLeon of MP WS
A 5'8 sophomore point guard who has had two triple-doubles to date. He is averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists per game for the 7-1 Galloping Ghosts.
• Jory Valencia of California - Riverside
This 6'3 senior thoroughbred is averaging 24 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the 9-3 Cubs.
• RyJan Reininger of Oklahoma
A sweet shooting junior guard who is 6' and averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds for a good 5-3 team. Also fourth-generation Deaf.
• Stacey Phillips of Alabama
Standing 6'4, this muscular post is scoring 14 points and snatching 13 rebounds per game for the 7-5 Silent Warriors.
• Luke Florio of Model Secondary
Through 8 games for an 3-5 Eagles squad, the 5'11 guard is a consistent floor general scoring 18 points and handing out 7 assists per game. Older brother Kyle balls for the Bison down the hill, too.
• Logan Green of Kansas
A 6' guard who has the Jackrabbits going strong with his consistent 18 points per game. Led the team to the Neesam Invitational championship.
Note:
The North Carolina School for the Deaf basketball team is 6-2 and has defeated several Deaf Schools handidly. If the Fab Five had room, the Bears would be the sixth. What makes this team amazing is that several members also do double-duty and participates on the wrestling team.
Note II:
The Deaf Sports Report does not do Divisions. I place all schools in one Deaf Bowl, stir them and call them equal.
Note III:
Next month's Clerc Classic at California - Fremont will include Florida and Alabama. This national tournament is considered the "best" in the land, with representatives from differing regions. However, take note that there are six charter schools who are annual participants. This does not necessarilly mean it provides the best "talent" on an annual basis.
There is a real possibility that the Clerc will feature an bracket with at least 6 teams with losing records on the boys' side. Is this a negative? No. It just emphasizes that there is an ebb and flow to everyone's seasons every year.
Last year, after the 21-22 season, Bruce Brewer, Jr of New Mexico and Marie Phillip Walden School were the USADB Youth Player and Team of the Year respectively. Neither were part of the Clerc Classic (Addenum: the tournament was cancelled last year due COVID concerns and the Galloping Ghosts were slated to attend.)
This season, Marie Phillip and Walden School, at 7-1 to date with a super sophomore standout, will not be taking part in the Clerc. Is this a travesty? In my eyes, yes.
Also, New Mexico has an large and outstanding crop of young talent this winter. I foresee them as a dominant program beginning next winter onwards.
Both schools need to be invited to the Clerc or at least part of their annual "who do we invite" conversation.
Why? Because they are both very good. They are both Deaf Schools and use ASL just like their counterparts. The old adage "They pull on their shorts one leg at a time" also applies here.
To truly be considered a "great national tournament", always work to get the best to your tournament.
Note IV:
The Indiana School for the Deaf currently stands at 1-6, which is unusual for a Hoosier team. One explanation is that their standout, Dylan Puent, has been out with a leg injury suffered during football season last fall. Another is that, due to smaller than usual numbers of high school boys, the Orioles are seeing several boys do both Basketball and Wrestling (similiar to NC) this winter, which makes a firm two hour practice tough.
Note V:
The DSR does not give annual awards. That is the USADB Youth and NDIAA's role. The DSR recognizes and makes mention of standout players, teams and accomplishments.
Coming Friday:
The Girls BB mid-season report!