The first live period of the grassroots season tipped off on Friday, as DMV Live opened with a full slate of action at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Here’s a look at some of the Storylines and Superlatives from Day 1:
Team Thrill MHC 17U Holds On In OT
RJ Muhammad had 19 points and scored the game-winning free throw in overtime as Team Thrill held off a spirited rally from Maryland Movement in Friday’s opener.
Thrill held a six-point lead with a minute to go, but Movement quickly erased the gap to send the game to OT.
The teams traded buckets in the “first to four points” overtime format, setting up a next bucket wins situation. Movement trapped Muhammad in the backcourt but fouled him, sending him to the free throw line to end it.
Samuel Cooper and Kayden Leggett led the way for Maryland Movement.
NJ Beasts 17U MHC Win Two Battles on Day 1
The first battle of the day was against All Ball MHC. The game was action packed and set the energy bar high for the weekend as we kicked off the event.
Caden Ivery led NJ beasts back court along with Alex Mazzella.
Myles Fuentes displayed his skill set for All Ball.
In game two, the NJ beasts matched up with Team Loaded, led by talented two-way guard Angelo Dickerson. The Beasts controlled the down the stretch to finish 2-0 on Friday.
Team Maine Picks Up Solid Win Against Team Beyond 55-47
In their first game of DMV Live, one of the top 16U teams on the MHC showed out, as Team Maine defeated Team Beyond by eight points. Their big three of Oli Higgins, Khaleon Watkins, and Carter Brathwaite led the way, and Rajon Reed and Lincoln Malcore also had solid performances.
Team Maine will continue their bracket play in 16U Platinum Melo Saturday evening, at 7:00 PM against Positive Direction.
FBCG CC 17U Starts the weekend Strong
FBCG Dynamic Disciples CC put together a statement win over the Ohio Bruins, 71-47. Khadir Johnson led the charge with 19 points as he scored at all three levels and did a nice job reading the game in PnR. Xavier Morris used his speed and quickness to get to spots knocking down jumpers while Bryson King blocked shots and held down the interior.
Antione Wooten scored 20 points for the Bruins, slashing to paint, drawing contact, and getting to the rim.
Friday Superlatives
Defensive Hound – Alex Mazzella, 2027 Guard, NJ Beasts MHC 17U
Mazzella was relentless on defense. The opposing guards found no luck when trying to shift him with dribble moves. Elite discipline to stay in front and seat down on pump fakes. NJ beasts went 2-0.
The Eye Catcher – Jayden Faulkner, 2028 Forward, Will Rios CC 17U
Faulkner impressed with his blend of size (6-foot-7) and athleticism in a 77-39 win over Toronto NuStep. He was explosive going to the basket and finished strong at the rim. His defensive impact was notable, displaying quick lateral movement and length to challenge shots.
Post Standout – Michael Sullivan, 2026 Forward, Jersey Force MHC 17U
The 6-foot-6 Sullivan more than held his own against an Expressions MHC front line that went 7-0, 6-11 and 6-9, posting a team-high 17 points in a 63-58 victory. He attacked the paint and was relentless on the boards, and helped negate the size disadvantage with his motor and aggressiveness.
Most Versatile – Kareem Hopkins, 2026 Forward, New Heights MHC 17U
Hopkins is a skilled lefty forward who impacted the game on both sides of the ball. He has a good handle for his size and he was able to create his own shot in the midrange and at the rim. Hopkins has good defensive instincts and length and he was able to turn defense into offense.
The Hidden Gem – Kris Delva, 2028 Guard, AllBall MHC 16U
An intriguing and rangy guard, Delva helped his team to a dominant 32 point win in the opening round of bracket play on Friday. Listed at a refreshingly conservative 6-foot-5, Delva’s length and anticipation allows him to play passing lanes well and turn defense into offense. He was AllBall’s most dangerous shooter from three and spent a good bit of time playing with the ball in his hands. Yes, Laron Mack is good, but Delva and company give them a team capable of challenging for championships this Spring.
