Athletes Battle at D1SA’s 2013 Open Gym All-Star Games

D1SA 2013 Open Gym eight-week season ended on Sunday, October 20 with exciting All-Star Games at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg.  With over 175 student athletes participating this fall season each Sunday in eight minute, five on five un-coached games, the participates brought their game each week. 

For the All-Star Games, the most dominant players deemed, ‘All-Stars’ from the four different Open Gym divisions: Boys 4^th through 6^th grades; Girls 7th and 8 ^th grades; Boys 7^th and 8^th grades; and boys 9^th through 12^th grades to play in each of the division’s All-Star games.  The younger division team started the Sunday afternoon All-Star games with team Spartan Orange coached by Darrin Gillus defeating Team Sparta Yellow coached by CJ Johnson 40 to 36.  Justin Braswell was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Boys 4^th and 5^th grade division game, with Roman Hess MVP for Team Orange.  Coach CJ said, “Each week Justin came to compete.  He’s the kind of kid you want to coach, his physical size combined with his interest in the game makes him an athlete to watch out for in the future.” Coach CJ adds, “Hess, too, is a great athlete with good ball handles and he continues to show leadership on the court.”

Excitement mounted as the Middle School division All-Stars took to the court with Team Sparta Yellow defeating Team Sparta Neon Yellow by 71 to 58.  Showing off their skills and rallying the parents and their athlete competitors watching the game, Cal Reiter with his sheer determination to win was named Game MVP and Michael Middleton was awarded MVP for team Sparta.  “Cal exhibits the Spirit of a Spartan by his sheer will to play.  Michael wanted to win and brought great energy to the game today that added tremendously to the successful outcome of the game,” Athletic Director Eric Williams said.

Highlighting the day was the High School division All-Star game with Team Spartan Neon Yellow dominating Team Sparta Pink in the final game of the day by 94 to 31.  Eric Truong, competing against his twin brother Michael Truong, was named overall MVP for the game and his brother MVP for the opposing team.  Williams said, “They are brothers with a passion for the game.  Because of their fearless willingness to battle to win, they are noteworthy Spartans.  They symbolize the spirit of Open Gym.  Taking everything you know and going to work on the court,” he added. 

The Girls All- Star game was postponed due to athletes competing in a tournament.  Williams explained that this was the first year to have a separate division for the girls.  With the tremendous interest and support of the D1SA girls programming, the Girl’s division added a new and exciting dimension to the Open Gym season gathering substantial talent throughout Loudoun County, Williams elaborated.

The successful Open Gym programming began two years ago when Athletic Director Eric Williams introduced this type of D1SA programming to the organization.  The Open Gyms held at various times throughout the year gave student athletes the opportunity to compete without the stress of winning a league game or tournament.  Williams says, “Coaches spent a great deal of time, teaching strategy, defenses and ball handling drills.  Open Gym allows the player to take all the skills they’ve been equipped with and apply those techniques in a competitive environment.”  Last year fall open gym was held at Harper Park Middle School with all divisions playing together.  Due to last year overwhelmingly successful Open Gym, D1SA expanded the program this fall with the three divisions and moved to Tuscarora High School.

D1SA staff extends their thanks to all parents and volunteers that added to the success of the season and a special thanks to PRCS staff member Jeff Maddingly for his help with gym oversight and set-up each week.

With anticipation, D1SA looks forward to 2014 Open Gym.

Congratulations to the:

D1SA 2013 Open Gym ALL-STARS

Boys 3rd through 6^th Grade Division    

Team Sparta Orange

Zion Ball (6^th grade)

Nicholas Burnell (4^th grade)

Gibraltar Coleman (4^th grade)

Roman Hess* (5^th grade)

Carter Jenkins (5^th grade)

Evan King (4^th grade)

Jadan Johnson (3^rd grade)

Justin Renner (6^th grade)

Marlin Shelton (6^th grade)

Team Spartan Yellow
Austin Bailey (5^th grade)

Soloman Ball (4^th grade)

Justin Braswell** (6th grade)

Cameron Gillus (3^rd grade)

Dillion James (6^th grade)

Luke Jenkins (3^rd grade)

Hunter Pavolic (5^th grade)

Matthew Shelton (3^rd)

Jaden Young (3^rd)

Boys 7^th and 8^th Grade Division

Team Sparta Yellow

Steven Bowers (8^th grade)

Justin Braswell (6^th grade)

AJ Chen (8^th grade)

Nate Martin (8^th grade)

Michael Middleton* (8^th grade)

Jordon Miller (8^th grade)

Rithwik Patel (8^th grade)

Jadan Pierre (8^th grade)

Kyle Potter (8^th grade)

Detwaun Turner (8^th grade)

Team Spartan Neon Yellow

Jalen Alford (8^th grade)

Michael Bailey (8^th grade)

Donnell Bannister (8^th grade)

Christian Caraballo (8^th grade)

Trenton Hess (7^th grade)

Spencer Payne (8^th grade)

Dominic Peterson (8^th grade)

Cal Reiter** (8^th grade)

Matthew Rubloff (8^th grade)

Boys 9^th through 12^th Grade Division

Team Sparta Neon Yellow

Sterling Anthony (8^th grade)

Alex Bailey (8^th grade)

Alex Huff (9^th grade)

Zach Garrett (9^th grade)

Michael Middleton (8^th grade)

Dominic Peterson (8^th grade)

Michael Truong** (9th grade)
 

Team Spartan Pink

Alexis Bailey (11^th grade)

Nate Martin (8^th grade)

Brandon Middleton (11^th grade)

Jayde Pierre (8^th grade)

Matthew Traub (8^th grade)

Eric Truong* (9th grade)

Jalen Williams (8^th grade)

*Team MVP

 **All-Star MVP

Spirit of a Spartan Award:  Week 6 Open Gym:

Zion Ball (6^th Grade Boys)

Jalyn Reid (8^th Grade Girls)

Matthew Rubloff (8^th Grade Boys)

Taija Blaylock (10^th Grade Boys)

Open Gym Game Ball Door Prize Winner:  Sterling Anthony

Submitted by Jeri Pierre

November 4, 2013