Four SOL senior all-stars – Eric Dixon, Naheem McLeod, Lucas Monroe and Sean Yoder – took part in Monday night’s Play by Play Invitational at Souderton Area High School. Photos provided courtesy of Kathy Leister Photography and Darryl Rule of J&D Photography. Check back for a gallery of photos.
FRANCONIA TWP – Lucas Monroe gets it.
The Abington senior smiled and acknowledged that, yes, it’s a whole different world playing in an all-star game where teamwork takes a backseat to showcasing individual talent.
“It is a little bit different,” the University of Pennsylvania commit said. “You kind of go back to having fun, playing at the park. These definitely aren’t my types of games, but it was fun. It was a good experience. There’s a lot of talent out here, and it’s always fun to play against good talent.”
Lucas was one of four SOL seniors who participated in Monday night’s Play by Play Invitational as part of the Iverson Classic at Souderton Area High School. Joining Monroe on Team Local – a 165-153 winner over Team USA in overtime - were Plymouth Whitemarsh senior Naheem McLeod and Abington senior Eric Dixon. Pennridge senior Sean Yoder was a member of Team USA.
“You just try to have fun and win,” said McLeod. “I wasn’t expecting the ball a lot tonight. I knew I wasn’t going to get it.
“You’ve got a bunch of high talented dudes on these teams that wanted to come out and show their talent. I just played my game.”
McLeod finished with 13 points, and his final of several dunks came with 1:29 remaining in overtime and gave Team Local a 158-148 lead. PW head coach Jim Donofrio, at the helm of Team Local, gave his senior all-star a simple piece of advice heading into the contest.
“He just said, ‘Hey, show them why you’re going to Florida State,’ and that’s what I came out here and tried to do,” McLeod said. “I’ve been playing against most of these guys my whole life. I know some of the guys’ every move.”
For Lucas and Dixon, Monday’s all-star game represented a chance to play together one last time.
“It was cool,” Monroe said. “He’s one of my best friends, and we’ve been playing together since seventh grade, so it definitely meant a lot playing with him one last time in a formal setting like this. We play pickup once in a while, but (this) was definitely special.”
Lucas finished with eight points and Dixon had 11, including a basket in close with a Lucas assist.
“It was fun,” Dixon said. “It’s always fun. He’s one of my best friends. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – he’s my friend now, (he’ll be) my friend in a few years and far down the line.
“I tried to throw him a lob – it was a little iffy, but it was fun to get out here with him again.”
Dixon is bound for Villanova University this fall.
“(Coach Jay Wright) told me when he recruited me – it’s one reason I picked it, it’s an open opportunity,” Dixon said. “If you show it at practice and over the summer that you’re worthy of starting minutes, then it’s going to happen.”
Yoder - the lone SOL player on Team USA – had the largest contingent of fans at a contest played in Pennridge’s backyard.
“It feels good – the community is behind me,” he said. “(This) really isn’t my type of game at all. I’m a team guy, I’m a pass first, get my guys open, (but) I’m just having fun.
“It’s a good opportunity, a good atmosphere for me to be in. The athleticism is off the charts. I think you saw it in this game.”
The United States Naval Academy commit’s effort on defense was noticeable in a game devoid of defense that saw the two teams combine for 318 points.
“I’ve been taught that since growing up, so I’ll take ownership,” said Yoder, who buried a three on his team’s final possession of OT. “It doesn’t matter what game, what atmosphere I’m in. I’m still going to compete.”
Monsignor Bonner senior Isaiah Wong, who has signed with the University of Miami, scored a game-high 50 points and earned Team Local MVP honors. Roselle Catholic senior Josh Pierre-Louis, a Temple University signee, scored 39 points to lead Team USA.
“Philadelphia is one of the best cities in the world honestly for basketball,” Monroe said. “There are 20 Division 1 kids in this gym right now, so it’s definitely special playing a lot of great teams over the years with a lot of Division 1 talent. I think it prepared me for the next level.”
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