Roadrunners Fall in CHIP

Eastsiders (Coach DR Sharpe), Quay Mann, Kevin Chandler and Jamal Reid are pictured.

Jay Gomes
NJHoops.com Editor

The championship of the 50th Annual Donofrio Classic Basketball Tournament was a good one. The Roadrunners, a New Jersey power was battling defending champion I-3 from Philadelphia Tuesday night at the Fellowship House in Conshohocken PA. The two teams emerged from a field of 32 teams. The Roadrunners were going after their 5th Donofrio title.
The entry way of the building was decorated with blown up pictures from some of the championship teams and Philly area legends that had played in the tournament over the years. The players in this year's event were hoping to become memorable as well. On this night, I-3 emerged with a hard fought 103-95 victory.
The Roadrunners battled up hill most of the night, always seeming in striking distance but never able to hold on to a lead. Roadrunners Coach DR Sharpe commented on the performance: "I think we were a little tired. It was our third trip down there in the last five days. I was proud of the kids though. Even when we were down 15 with two minutes left they didn't quit and we made another run at them."
6-foot-2 Duke bound St. Patrick's Sr. Kyrie Irving was his usual brilliant self finishing with 39 and three highlight dunks, two on alleyoops and another on a followup. He did struggle somewhat from long range in this one theough, which is usually a staple of his game. 6-foot-1 St. Bonaventure bound St. Anthony's Sr. Eli Carter added 18 points and 13 rebounds.
6-foot-3 Friends Central PA Jr. Devin Coleman was high for I-3 with an impressive 31. 6-foot-3 Boston University bound Friends Central Sr. Travis Robinson had an efficient 25.
Irving and Coleman were Tournament Co-MVP's