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Kuony Deng, Dom Fragala lead Champe to final of Glory Days Grill Tournament of Champions Kuony Deng, Dom Fragala lead Champe to final of Glory Days Grill Tournament of Champions
(about 4 hours later)
When Dom Fragala transferred from O’Connell and joined the Champe basketball team two weeks before the season, it confirmed a bittersweet realization for Knights senior Kuony Deng.When Dom Fragala transferred from O’Connell and joined the Champe basketball team two weeks before the season, it confirmed a bittersweet realization for Knights senior Kuony Deng.
With the sharpshooting playmaker in the fold, Champe no longer needed the services of the versatile 6-foot-6 Deng on the wing, shifting the lanky lefty to the low block, a place he admits is “not exactly my expertise.”With the sharpshooting playmaker in the fold, Champe no longer needed the services of the versatile 6-foot-6 Deng on the wing, shifting the lanky lefty to the low block, a place he admits is “not exactly my expertise.”
At times, Deng has needed a not-so-subtle reminder of his new role, like on Monday, after a bigger Langley team had its way during the first half. Prompted by his coach’s challenge and a tenacious full-court press, a more aggressive Deng poured in 15 of his team-high 19 points in the second half to rally Champe for a 66-59 win over Langley in the Glory Days Grill Tournament of Champions semifinal at Lake Braddock.At times, Deng has needed a not-so-subtle reminder of his new role, like on Monday, after a bigger Langley team had its way during the first half. Prompted by his coach’s challenge and a tenacious full-court press, a more aggressive Deng poured in 15 of his team-high 19 points in the second half to rally Champe for a 66-59 win over Langley in the Glory Days Grill Tournament of Champions semifinal at Lake Braddock.
“In the huddle, our coach said it was time to show the kind of heart we had and execute,” Deng said. “We play better when we play fast because it loosen things up and that helps me get to the right spots.”“In the huddle, our coach said it was time to show the kind of heart we had and execute,” Deng said. “We play better when we play fast because it loosen things up and that helps me get to the right spots.”
Sparked by Deng’s six points in the opening minutes of the second half, the Knights (5-1) went on a 16-6 run to take its first lead since scoring the game’s first bucket. Sparked by Deng’s six points in the opening minutes of the second half, the Knights (5-1) went on a 16-6 run to take their first lead since scoring the game’s first bucket.
The torrid tempo was a marked contrast from the first half. Playing to their advantage in the post with 6-foot-5 Nate Shafer, the Saxons initially slowed the pace in their half-court motion sets, pouring in passes to the senior center, who scored eight of his 19 points to give Langley a 27-21 halftime lead.The torrid tempo was a marked contrast from the first half. Playing to their advantage in the post with 6-foot-5 Nate Shafer, the Saxons initially slowed the pace in their half-court motion sets, pouring in passes to the senior center, who scored eight of his 19 points to give Langley a 27-21 halftime lead.
To combat the Saxons (6-3), Knights Coach Bill Maher elected to go small, unleashing the speed of guards like Fragala and Zach Burdick in a seldom-used full-court press.To combat the Saxons (6-3), Knights Coach Bill Maher elected to go small, unleashing the speed of guards like Fragala and Zach Burdick in a seldom-used full-court press.
After a Chas Battaglia three-pointer put Langley back up 45-43 to start the fourth period, the Knights’ swarming defense resulted in three consecutive Saxons turnovers and a 13-0 run that gave Champe the lead for good.After a Chas Battaglia three-pointer put Langley back up 45-43 to start the fourth period, the Knights’ swarming defense resulted in three consecutive Saxons turnovers and a 13-0 run that gave Champe the lead for good.
Five different players scored during the flurry, including a steal and go-ahead layup by Fragala, who, like Deng, has grown more comfortable in his new home at Champe.Five different players scored during the flurry, including a steal and go-ahead layup by Fragala, who, like Deng, has grown more comfortable in his new home at Champe.
After scoring 84 points over the last three games, Fragala worked more to get his teammates involved Monday, resulting in four different double-digit scorers and the Class 4A Knights advancing to Tuesday’s championship against Lake Braddock in a tournament heavy on 6A schools.After scoring 84 points over the last three games, Fragala worked more to get his teammates involved Monday, resulting in four different double-digit scorers and the Class 4A Knights advancing to Tuesday’s championship against Lake Braddock in a tournament heavy on 6A schools.
“It actually wasn’t that tough to transition because everyone welcomed me,” said Fragala, who cited the commute and finances as reasons for his transfer. “This team was already good from last year, and I just want to make us better in taking that next step, whatever I can do.”“It actually wasn’t that tough to transition because everyone welcomed me,” said Fragala, who cited the commute and finances as reasons for his transfer. “This team was already good from last year, and I just want to make us better in taking that next step, whatever I can do.”
●LAKE BRADDOCK 85, MILLS GODWIN 71: In the other semifinal, the host Bruins pulled away from the Eagles in the fourth quarter behind the inside-outside combination of James Butler and Corey Pelham. Butler scored 25 points while the sharpshooting Pelham paced Lake Braddock with 31, advancing the Bruins (8-0) to Tuesday’s final against Champe at 7:30 p.m.●LAKE BRADDOCK 85, MILLS GODWIN 71: In the other semifinal, the host Bruins pulled away from the Eagles in the fourth quarter behind the inside-outside combination of James Butler and Corey Pelham. Butler scored 25 points while the sharpshooting Pelham paced Lake Braddock with 31, advancing the Bruins (8-0) to Tuesday’s final against Champe at 7:30 p.m.