City of Basketball Love

Tyler Sandora (@Tyler_Sandora)

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CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. -- Here's a recap of Donofrio Classic second round action at the Fellowship House on Thursday night:

Game One: WeR1 led Waterview Dan Rumph 35-34 at the break in a sloppy half that included 32 total fouls. They extended their lead and ultimately pulled away in the second period, winning by a score of 86-77. Kevin Anderson (2017/St. John Neumann) led the way with 22 points for WeR1. Sophomores Nyshon Holland (2019/St. Georges Tech) (13) and Eric Dixon (2019/Abington) (11) paced WeR1. For Dan Rumph, Tamir Green (2017/Constitution) led with 30 and Elijah Kiah-El (2017/Martin Luther King) contributed 18. 

Game Two: In one of the closest contests thus far this year at the Donofrio, Don Len pulled away late from Keystone Blazers Black, 83-77. Andrew Sims (2018/Lenape) was the offensive catalyst for Don Len, dropping 22 points, including four 3’s for the 6-foot-6 junior. Connor Delaney (2017/Episcopal), a Johns Hopkins recruit, added 17 points as Don Len advanced to the quarterfinals. For the Blazers, Chris Ings (2019/Neumann-Goretti) led the way with 19, Julius Phillips (2019/Archbishop Wood) contributed 11. 

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Anderson hopes his success will transfer to next level
Most high school teams consider losing five games in a season a success. 

St. John Neumann senior Kevin Anderson lost only five games in his entire four year span with the school. 

A Delaware recruit, Anderson finished his career with a perfect record in regular season play during his time at the small Williamsport school, only losing in postseason play. 

After his junior season, the 6-foot-5 wingman decided it was time to showcase his talent on a bigger stage, as he joined WeR1 on the Under Armour Circuit. 

“Before I played with WeR1 I was a cool player, just a guy in the background,” he said. “Once I played with them I learned to attack the rim and I’m not scared of anybody anymore.”

Anderson went from pretty much unknown in the recruiting world to a priority for Mid-Major schools in the area. He chose the Blue Hens over the likes of St. Bonaventure and Towson.  

Anderson likes to model his game after Trailblazers star guard C.J. McCollum, who also went from an unknown prospect to an NBA all star.

“He’s smooth, underrated and a scorer. He can pretty much do everything,” he said. 

Anderson had no problem attacking the rim, as well as shooting from outside on Thursday night, as he drained a pair of 3’s en route to his team high 22 points. 

Last year at the Donofrio Classic, Anderson scored 32 points in an overtime win in the semifinals. He showed improvement in his game this year, most notably his passing ability. 

“I think I can bring a lot to Delaware, I can pass the ball well. I’m trying to go there next year and be a facilitator.”

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Ings looking forward to bigger role at Neumann-Goretti
When you think of Neumann-Goretti’s basketball team, Quade Green and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree immediately come to mind. The senior duo led the team to its fourth consecutive state championship and its seventh in eight years. 

You also might hear about 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Chris Ings, however, you won’t find his name in the starting lineup. 

The third leading scorer on the team, Ings was comfortable coming off of the bench as the sixth man, after all, it proved effective in the Saints’ success this past season.  

“I accepted my role pretty well,” he said. “Coach Carl [Arrigale] told me I’m good enough to start at any other school in the Catholic League, but he needed my energy off the bench. I played a major role on the team. I was a spark for offense and defense. 

A shifty and explosive guard, Ings is most dangerous when he can get out in the open floor, either finishing at the rim or finding a teammate on the break for a score. 

He showed off his ability to score the ball Thursday night, pouring in 19 points, including some tough finishes at the rim. 

Ings will be moving up the ranks in the Neumann Goretti program next season as Green departs for Kentucky, and he made sure to pick up a few pointers from the All-American.

“Quade taught me how to control a team,” Ings said. “I make sure everybody is in their spots, and make sure I know all the positions for everybody on the plays. He told me that colleges look for floor generals at my height. There aren’t many 6’1 two guards in the NBA so you have to make sure you can run the point. 

A native of Upper Darby, Ings has known his potential since the sixth grade, when he envisioned himself playing for Neumann-Goretti

“I love to win,” he said. “Great guards always go there.”

Ings will suit up for the New Jersey Playaz 16U squad on the Nike EYBL this summer, a program which has produced top talent such as J.R. Smith and Isaiah Briscoe. 

As for next season, Ings will most likely take the role of primary floor general, hoping the lead the Saints back to Hershey for another title. 

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Quick Hits 
-Despite only six points at halftime, Tamir Green (2017/Constitution) stepped up his game in the second half, exploding for 30 points the loss. The 5-foot-10 floor general showed his ability to take over a game, scoring at will from all three levels of the floor. He mention Lincoln University (Pa.) and The University of District of Columbia (D.C) as schools recruiting him. “I want to play right away in college,” he said. “I take over wherever I play.”

-Even though his team didn’t come out victorious, Shyheim Abernathy (2017/Phoenixville) showed off his scoring ability, as well as his hustle and defensive capabilities. The 6-foot-3 southpaw scored 15 points, which included three 3’s and a big slam in the first quarter. He is looking at schools such as Desales, Gwynedd Mercy, and Penn State-Abington. In addition to a good basketball program, Abernathy is searching for a school which will provide him with a good education and an enjoyable experience.