Schenley trio worth a million
Tri-State Sports & News Service It was just like old times. Just as they did 10 years earlier at Schenley High School, D.J. Kennedy, DeJuan Blair and DeAndre Kane teamed up to win a championship Aug. 3.
Another starter on that 2007 team, DeJuan’s brother Greg, was in the stands rooting them on while twirling a blue T-shirt like it was a Terrible Towel.
Needless to say, this Schenley Reunion worked out pretty well.
No, a City League or PIAA championship wasn’t on the line. Instead, it was the $2 million prize that went to the winner of The Basketball Tournament, the popular event in its fourth year that held its championship at Coppin State University in Baltimore. The game was televised on ESPN.
For the third year in a row, Overseas Elite conquered the field to improve to 19-0 all time. Kennedy, Blair and Kane were starters for the team that beat Challenge ALS, 86-83. Kennedy has been a part of all three championship teams. Kane joined him last year and Blair was added this year. Each walked away with a cool $147,000 courtesy of Thursday’s win.
“It was the greatest,” Kennedy said of reuniting with his buddies for the month-long event. “To be back with my brothers, guys I grew up with and played with in high school, it just felt like old times. And to top it off, to be able to walk away the champions for the third time with my brothers, I think that was real special for all three of us.”
It was real special for friends and family, as well, some of whom made the four-hour drive from the Hill District, the neighborhood where the three grew up and became friends. Kennedy’s mom, step-dad and sister were there and helped form a loud cheering section behind the Overseas Elite bench. One fan wore a T-shirt that read “Hill District.” A few others donned Pirates jerseys.
“I think pretty much everyone from the neighborhood was there,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy, Blair and Kane started the final four of the team’s six games and all made valuable contributions to the championship win. Kennedy, who made the all-tournament team for the second year in a row, scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half, none bigger than the jump shot he drained just before the shot clock expired that gave Overseas Elite an 82-79 lead with 1:03 left. Kennedy and tournament MVP Kyle Fogg combined to score Overseas Elite’s final 16 points. Kane scored all 12 of his points in the first half. Blair chipped in six points.
Challenge ALS had a chance to tie the score with 3.2 seconds remaining, but Sean Marshall made just one of two free throws, cutting the score to 84-83. Fogg connected on two free throws to increase the Overseas Elite lead to 86-83, and Challenge ALS missed a tying 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
“It was one of the most intense games that I’ve played in,” said Kennedy, whose team trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half. “You got to expect that with $2 million on line. The guys are going to leave it all out there. And I think that showed [Thursday].”
For the tournament, Kennedy averaged 15 points per game, Kane 9.7 and Blair 7.7.
By Friday morning, the three were already heading their separate ways again. Kennedy drove back to his home in New York City. He played in Germany last season, but is unsure where he will play next season. Kane recently signed with a team in Israel. Blair last played in the NBA G League (formerly known as the D-League) and is also considering his options for next season.