jason day: crenshaw v. compton

Jason Day: Nike Dream Classic
In Pictures: Verbum Dei v. LB Jordan--(Jan. 21, 1999)

While we were sitting comfortably (or uncomfortably as the case may have been after sitting continuously for close to 14 hours by the time of this game) our friend and correspondent Jason Day was seated just down the press row from us, and his photographer buddy Larry Gray, the one with all of the great camera equipment (certainly better than our dinky little digital Sony Mavica, which is handy but not nearly as sharp as Larry's stuff) was seated just under one of the baskets, clicking and snapping away as Compton and Crenshaw duked it out. Here's Jason's report and Larry's pictures. You had to be there, but really, this is the next best thing. And Jason's right, this will be a game that gets talked about for a long, long time.

THE MLK (NIKE DREAM CLASSIC) IN PICTURES -
VERB VS. LB JORDAN
by Jason Day
photos by Larry Gray

My absolute favorite prep basketball event had it's 1999 incarnation yesterday at Pauley Pavillion. The 5th Annual Nike Dream Classic, formerly called the Martin Luther King Classic (The MLK for short), offers matchups that would not normally happen at any other time during the season. This year's lineup featured some of the most outstanding teams in the area. SoCalHoops covered this event extensively and has detailed reports on each game. We will present each contest in pictures.

This game was hard fought from beginning to end...and the end didn't come until we had an overtime period. Jordan won 66-65.

At 6'7, Bryant doesn't need a lotta hops to slam, here he raises to mash for 2	Calloway had a strong game for Jordan including 12 pts, 6 dimes, and a steal. Here he turns the corner on Dalron Johnson.	Jordan's Craig Calloway takes to the air as he tries to lose Rico Suazo (31) and Earl Shuford (20).
Craig Calloway with the jumper.	Jordan SR, Deryon Dale scores 2 for the Panthers	Dalron Johnson gets past Jordans Darren Peterson, as Eric Gathrite (left) moves to intercept. Johnson, who is signed with UNLV, had 7 pts, 6 boards, 2 blks. and an assist.
Bryant gets by Dodson on this play. Bryant had 12 pts., 6 boards, a steal, and get this, 7 blocks.	6'9 SR Nick Dodson (55) pancakes 6'7 JR, Trayvon Bryant. Dodson is on his way to Howard University next year, while Bryant will be adding to his rep as one of the top forwards in the country.	Verb PG, Marlon Parmer (23 pts. 8 assists), directs traffic as Eric Gathrite applies the pressure.
Jordan's Darren Peterson (33) had a terrific game. 22pts., 4 boards, 1 steal, 1 assist. Here he matches up with Verb's Ricardo Suazo (Elgee's All Basketball Name, First Team)	If you know which Jordan player this is, please email us so we can give him his props. This "superman takes flight" shot is one of our new favorites. *Note to Jason: It's Wilfred Lucas (at least we think it's him)--J. Gale.

This was one of the best games of the day, and believe me, there were some very good games played at this year's version of the MLK. Major props and kudos to Russell Otis, Dinos Trigonis, their staff persons, UCLA's Pauley staff, etc. This was a great day of High School BBall.

Later

Jason Day