With a total of 100 teams between two different sessions, the 2015 Governor’s Challenge was not only the largest and deepest tournament in the DMV, but also on the entire East Coast.
[RELATED: Session 1 Brackets Recap]
Session Two featured 40 teams participating in bracket play, with seven boys’ brackets and three on the girls’ side. Teams competed in true tournament style, playing two games in two days.
[RELATED: Session 1 Awards]
BRACKET 1
CHAMPION
Linganore (Frederick, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Carter Schmidt, 2016 F, Linganore (Averaged 17.5 points & 6 rebounds in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
Despite losing do-everything point guard, Thomas Lang, to foul trouble early in the first game, Linganore managed to find a way past South Lakes in overtime, 66-62. Senior forward Carter Schmidt carried the burden, willing his way to the foul line 18 times, finishing with 24 points while adding eight rebounds to send Linganore to the bracket finals. Lang would play in a full 32 minutes in the bracket championship game, charging his Linganore team to a 57-49 win over Cesar Chavez (D.C.). He finished with 19 points (12-14 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Jacob Long had 12 points, three rebounds and three assists for Cesar Chavez in the championship loss. Playing their first year in Salisbury, South Lakes topped Edmondson — a Governor’s Challenge mainstay — in the bracket consolation game.
BRACKET 1 RESULTS
Wed: Linganore 57, Cesar Chavez 49
Wed: South Lakes 54, Edmondson 50
Tue: Linganore 66, South Lakes 62 (OT)
Tue: Cesar Chavez 57, Edmondson 52
BRACKET 2
CHAMPION
Poly (Baltimore, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Christian Chong-Qui, 2017 G, Poly (Averaged 13.5 points and 6 assists in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
Poly came out of the gates hot in one of the most exciting games of the tournament’s five days, topping New Town, 58-52, to win the Bracket 2 championship. Christian Chong-Qui scored 19 points and dished out 4 assists in the Engineers’ win, after an 8-point, 8-assist performance in their opening win against St. John’s Catholic Prep. The consolation game was an absolute barn-burner, as SJCP squeaked out a 68-65 win over Walt Whitman when Albert Odero nailed a game-winning three-pointer with 3.5 seconds remaining. Matt Johnson and Devin Smith impressed in the New Town backcourt, on a Titans team well equipped to make another state title run, after capturing the 1A crown last year.
BRACKET 2 RESULTS
Wed: Poly 58, New Town 52
Wed: St. John’s Catholic Prep 68, Whitman 65
Tue: Poly 64, St. John’s Catholic Prep 52
Tue: New Town 57, Whitman 34
BRACKET 3
CHAMPION
Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
DaShawn Phillips, 2018 G, Dunbar (20 points on 7/8 FG and three assists in championship)
BRACKET RECAP
In the most lopsided championship of the event, the Dunbar Poets rolled to another victory in the Governor's Challenge, 70-35 over Washington. Coming off of their 34 point win to Parkdale, this one was no different. The Poets controlled all the phases of the game for 48 minutes; from the paint where they churned out 52 points, to the transition game where they turned 15 steals into 24 points off turnovers. DaShawn Phillips led Dunbar with a game-high of 20 points. Jalen Willis finished with 17 points for the Poets on eight for 11 shooting while swiping four steals. Tyler Polson paced Washington with 10 points and six rebounds.
BRACKET 3 RESULTS
Wed: Dunbar 70, Washington 35
Wed: Patterson Mill 55, Parkdale 44
Tue: Washington 74, Patterson Mill 63
Tue: Dunbar 59, Parkdale 25
BRACKET 4
CHAMPION
CH Flowers (Springdale, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Elliot Brown, 2016 F, CH Flowers (Averaged 13.5 points and 8 rebounds in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
Flowers came out on top of Bracket 4 led by MOP Elliot Brown and guard Kieron Williams. Brown tabbed 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Jaguars in their championship win over Oakdale. Oakdale forward Cory Schlee put up a notable 30 point and 10 rebound performance in Oakdale’s win over Sussex Tech on Tuesday.
BRACKET 4 RESULTS
Wed: CH Flowers 51, Oakdale 33
Wed: Milford Mill 57, Sussex Tech (Del.) 40
Tue: CH Flowers 66, Milford Mill 58
Tue: Oakdale 47, Sussex Tech (Del.) 41
BRACKET 5
CHAMPION
Thomas Stone (Waldorf, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Jcee Coleman, 2016 F, Thomas Stone
BRACKET RECAP
Thomas Stone emerged victorious in one the most entertaining games of the tournament, capturing the Bracket 5 championship over Tallwood (Va.). Senior forward Jcee Coleman led the way for the Cougars scoring 22 points and hitting the game-winner at the buzzer to clinch the championship win. Coleman averaged 23.5 points in the Cougars’ and went an astounding 19-of-24 from the field. Tallwood — led by Adrian Beasley and Isaiah Macer — had an impressive showing in both of their matchups. Old Mill guard Camari Wilkerson, a star on the football and lacrosse fields as well, had an impressive showing, averaging 21.5 points in the two-game set. Boys’ Latin filled in an open spot in the bracket, and sophomore guard Jaylin Andrews stole the show with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 7 steals, to go along with 3 dimes.
BRACKET 5 RESULTS
Wed: Thomas Stone 58, Tallwood (Va.) 55
Wed: Boys’ Latin 72, Old Mill 52
Tue: Tallwood (Va.) 74, Old Mill 54
Tue: Thomas Stone 73, Snow Hill 53
BRACKET 6
CHAMPION
JH Blake (Silver Spring, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Kobe Colston, 2017 G, JH Blake (17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 4.5 in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
Led by Bracket MOP Kobe Colston, JH Blake pulled out two tough wins against quality opponents to take the Bracket 4 championship. Colston stuffed the stat sheet and was the key cog in Blake’s success. Other players who impressed in Bracket 4 were Laron Gilmer (16 points and 11 rebounds per game) of New Era Academy and Jordan Burroughs (17.5 points, 4 assists, 2.5 rebounds) of Conrad School of Sciences (Del.).
BRACKET 6 RESULTS
Wed: JH Blake 63, New Era 56
Wed: Conrad Sciences (Del.) 61, Colonel Richardson 27
Tue: JH Blake 71, Conrad Sciences (Del.) 62
Tue: New Era Academy 55, Colonel Richardson 30
BRACKET 7
CHAMPION
Ben Franklin-Masonville Cove (Baltimore, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Tyheem Potillo, 2016 F, (Averaged 16 points and 5 rebounds in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
The Bayhawks of Ben Franklin-Masonville Cove took home the Bracket 7 championship, led by Bracket MOP Tyheem Potillo. After a gritty 47-42 win over High Point on Tuesday, the Bayhawks came out hungry and never slowed down as they downed Moore Catholic (N.Y.) 60-30 in the championship game. 6-foot-4, senior swingman DeShawn Young also impressed in both games and was the catalyst for Ben Franklin in their opening win over High Point. Snow Hill sophomore guard Ameer Fisher also had an impressive tournament, averaging 22.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games.
BRACKET 7 RESULTS
Wed: Ben Franklin 60, Moore Catholic (N.Y.) 30
Wed: High Point 49, Snow Hill 47
Tue: Moore Catholic (N.Y.) 62, Salisbury Christian
Tue: Ben Franklin 47, High Point 42
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GIRLS BRACKET 1
CHAMPION
Walkersville (Walkersville, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
McKenzie Mathis, Walkersville 2016 G (11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists in championship)
BRACKET RECAP
In their two games en route to a bracket championship, Walkersville exercised patience when the little things weren't falling their way and executed in marquee moments to prevail. A 9-0 run charged the Lions in the early minutes, but Southern (Garrett) flipped the momentum switch to string together a 15-4 run to conclude the first quarter. From there, Walkersville relied on the senior presence of Ariona Johnson, MacKenzie White and McKenzie Mathis to grind out a 55-49 bracket championship victory. Johnson, a 6-foot-3 center, finished with 13 points in only 11 minutes of work. White, a 5-foot-5 lead guard, ran the show effectively and finished with 11 points. But it was Mathis who really came up big in a variety of ways, putting together an 11-point, six rebound and 4 assist performance. Lauren Francillon finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds for Southern.
GIRLS BRACKET 1 RESULTS
Wed: Walkersville 55, Southern Garrett 49
Wed: St. John's Catholic Prep 52, Pocomoke 47
Tue: Walkersville 51, Pocomoke 41
Tue: Southern (Garrett) 41, St. John's Catholic Prep 39
GIRLS BRACKET 2
CHAMPION
Catonsville (Catonsville, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Jasmine Dickey, 2018 G/F, Catonsville (Averaged 19.5 points, 7 rebounds, 4.5 stls in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
Returning to Governor’s Challenge for their second year, Catonsville again captured a bracket championship, with a dominant win over JM Bennett and a strong effort to put away a pesky Oakdale squad. It was the Comet show early on, but an 11-0 run to end the first half put Oakdale on the doorstep to start the final two quarters. Jasmine Dickey and the Catonsville squad turned up the heat to close out a 59-49 bracket championship victory. Dickey finished the tournament stronger than anyone, 22 points (9/13 FG) and seven rebounds to add to her 17 point, 7 rebound performance on Tuesday. Emily Bowman had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists for Oakdale.
GIRLS BRACKET 2 RESULTS
Wed: Catonsville 59, Oakdale 49
Wed: Sherwood 58, JM Bennett 42
Tue: Oakdale 47, Sherwood 41
Tue: Catonsville 66, JM Bennett 9
GIRLS BRACKET 3 (JOHN COLEMAN BRACKET)
CHAMPION
Thomas Stone (Waldorf, Md.)
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Octavia Hawkins, Thomas Stone 2017 F (12.5 points & 10.5 rebounds in two wins)
BRACKET RECAP
Down 13 at the half, hope could have easily been washed away for Thomas Stone, but the Cougars erased all doubt in second half, coming back to upend High Point, 39-32. A smothering full-court press was the decisive adjustment in the second half, as Thomas Stone held High Point to nine total points in the second frame (1-for-18 shooting from the field). Octavia Hawkins notched her second double-double in as many games, turning in 14 points and 10 rebounds to go along with two steals. Oluwadamilola Oloyede put forth another solid performance for High Point, posting 16 point and 10 rebounds.
GIRLS BRACKET 3 RESULTS
Wed: Thomas Stone 39, High Point 32
Wed: Wicomico 47, Snow Hill 30
Tue: Thomas Stone 52, Wicomico 28
Tue: High Point 52, Snow Hill 32
