Legends Take the Rookies to School at Famfest 2011 - Hoopsfix.com

Legends Take the Rookies to School at Famfest 2011

Famfest 2011

Famfest 2011

The Legends taught the Luol Deng Foundation U21 All Stars a lesson at Famfest 2011, winning by a single point, 97-96 at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Just under 1000 people were at the National Sports Centre for an afternoon of basketball entertainment and Famfest didn’t disappoint with a thriller that went down to the final seconds.

The Legends surprised the young prospects early as they jumped out to a 22-14 lead after the first quarter, and from there the Under-21s spent the entire game fighting back.

The crowds got into it as Ed Lucas who finished with a game-high 24 points, hit a turn-around jumper with two minutes left to give the young guns their first lead since the early stages, but the veterans relied on their experience to not get shook. Carl Miller responded immediately with a jumper shot of his own, and from there on the Legends didn’t relinquish the lead again.

Chi Lewis-Parry led the Legends with 22, BBL veteran Mike Martin had 15, Ronnie Baker 12, and Richard Scantlebury 11. The Under-21s were led by the aforementioned Lucas, whilst Ryan Martin added 12, Henry Wilkins 13, and Disraeli Lufadeju 9.

Organiser Luke Bowler was extremely pleased with how the afternoon went:

“It was a truly Old School-New School affair this year – where else are you going to see guys like Carl Miller, Corey McGee, Ronnie Baker and Mike Martin suit up on one team.

For the U21s to lose by a single point is a testament to the maturity of those young guys. Fantastic game, great food and an electrifying atmosphere – couldn’t ask for any more. Big thanks to Family Resource Centre UK for making it possible as well as the Luol Deng Foundation, our host Simon Hosannah and Converse.”

Make sure you are there next year!

Notes

  • No major highlights in this one, but a few lighter ones. Video coming in the next week or so.
  • Huge shout-out to Family Resource Centre UK for essentially funding the whole event so it could be free for everyone. There are very few organisations willing to put money into basketball like they did this weekend-massive credit to them.
  • Another huge shout-out to Luke Bowler and Tony Brown for organising such a class event. The way the whole thing was ran from start to finish, including the pre-booking of tickets, the website (fam-fest.com), and the actual event was like nothing I have really seen before. Just awesome.
  • Ronnie Baker at 40+ years old, still has game.
  • Ed Lucas (1993 born) was definitely the stand-out of the U21s.  The guard has silky smooth handle, a quick release jump shot and some serious bunnies. One to watch.

Did you make it down? What did you think?

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: Video: Legends Take on U21s at Famfest 2011 — Hoopsfix.com

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