What better place to host the City League basketball championships than the Petersen Event Center? And the heavily favored Allderdice Dragons (22-2) didn’t disappoint by easily defeating Obama (14-6) Saturday afternoon.
This was the first time since 2009 that the City League championship games were played at a college arena. Six years ago, the games were at Duquesne University’s Palumbo Center. The past five years the City title games were played at a high school gym.
We have been fighting for a college venue for a longtime,” said school board President Thomas Sumpter. “Things didn’t get finalized until last week and we hope to be back here again next year.”
Fans at the Petersen Event Center watched as Allderdice etched their name in the history books by beating the Eagles. For the first time ever, the Allderdice boys basketball team has claimed city dominance by winning five of the past six City League basketball titles.
Yes, Obama graduated the bulk of its 2013-14 top ranked boys basketball team. No, the program didn’t fall to pieces. The firepower in 2015 came from senior guard James Taylor-Lane, (18 points per game) and high-flying super sophomore Kenny Robinson. The Eagles had a great season despite the need to nearly replace the entire starting lineup after graduation losses, but was no match for the Dragons.
Every year however, the Dragons find athletes who excel, and this year is no different.
Junior Jordan Rawls was inserted into the Dragons starting lineup this season to shake things up. His energy provided an immediate pulse for the team as it embarked on its quest for a state title. He phased the victory as the “Two-peat at The Pete.”
Allderdice is lead by the Jackson twins, James and Tim, while similar in their competitive nature, have pretty opposite personalities. Tim lead all scorers with 24 points, James had 18 and Rawls 15 points. The twins are part of a team headed by coach Buddy Valinsky that took over three seasons ago determined to win a state championship.
The Allderdice boys basketball team wear T-shirts with “We Want More” written on the back, a reference to the Dragons wanting to go further in the PIAA playoffs after losing in the first round last year.
The Dragons got to see great competition all season, whether from their early season WPIAL or City schedule. The Dragons have six victories against tough WPIAL playoff teams.
“I am very impressed with the twins,” said Greg Blair, a starter on Schenley 2007 state championship team with his brother DeJuan. “I would give our team the edge over everybody because of the competition we played. We traveled and played some nationally ranked teams. But, again I am impressed with this Allderdice team.”
The 2015 Allderdice Dragons just might be the best basketball team in City League history. What remains between them and their destiny is a state championship.
Dragon nation If not you…Then Who? If not Now…Then when?
Obama wins via teamwork
This is the second consecutive year that Allderdice and Obama have met in the boys and girls title games. The Lady Eagles (16-8) are one of the hottest teams in the state. Their play has improved, defense is stronger and that success was on display when Obama won the City League championship with a resounding, 66-38, victory over Allderdice (10-14) at the Petersen Events Center.
Obama raced to an early lead, never allowed the opposition to get close and finished with a blowout victory.
On the court, the improvements and teamwork in Obama’s girls basketball team are becoming apparent to all who see the Lady Eagles play.
The impact of the victory on the Eagles’ confidence was huge—“There were a lot of good signs and I have an all star coaching staff and the team is having fun,” coach Monique McCoy said—-and there was a tangible payoff, too.
Michaela Porter, a 6-foot sophomore center, led all scorers with 18 points. Samone Rainey, Taylin Tyler and Dalaysia Askew each scored 10 points.
Malaysia Brooks led Allderdice with 14 points and super sophomore AuJaanae “The Greyhound” Givner had 8 points.
Obama heads to one of the most difficult Regionals when it travels to face DuBois of District 9 in the PIAA tournament play-in round one. But if they continue to share the ball and embrace teamwork they can live out all of their dreams.
