2014 Danny Rumph Classic: Save the Next Bright Star

2014 Danny Rumph Classic

Every year Philadelphia is home for the stars to align. The great part about the stars aligning is that they align to save other stars. Every year around the 2nd week in August, a classic that features some of the best talent come to play in of Danny Rumph and the fighting for a new cause through charity. The charity works to raise $30,000 each year to perform heart screenings for 250 local athletes. This cause is raised because 100,000 young athletes die from heart disorders. This brings us to Danny Rumph, the most important memorial figure in this event.

2014 Rumph Classic Championship at Community College Of Philadelphia

Danny Rumph was born in Philadelphia and everybody who’s anybody who knew anything about him, knew he loved basketball. He attended Western Kentucky University but his game started from working out at Mallery Recreation Center. After a pickup game on mother’s day evening, Danny would have his career cut short when he went into cardiac arrest. At the time of Danny's passing recreation centers did not have AEDs, which could have saved his life. Through his foundation the city now has AEDs in the 150 recreation centers in hopes to make sure that this tragic loss doesn't happen to another young man. 

 

This year features another festival full of activities such as clinics, alumni games, community barbeque, and etc. The events took place at LaSalle University, Chestnut Hill College, the special Danny Rumph Center and Community College of Philadelphia. Every year the event has gotten bigger and more versatile with the people that have attended the event. Last year FOE, who featured Markieff and Marcus Morris (Phoenix Suns) and Thomas Robinson (Portland Trailblazers) was able to take home the title after defeating JT Ballas who were led by Jason Thompson (Sacramento Kings).

This year features a little different element with the event because Nike has joined the spectrum seeing his potential in the cause. Nike would join already partnerships in Fam Juice, Mitchell and Ness, And 1 and others. After talking to the event’s director, Mike Morak, he talked to me and explained that no matter how big this gets, the cause is always more important. He also talked to me about how important it was for him to raise as much money as possible because he wants to do more for the foundation to do more heart screenings and other things that can be a support for the foundation.

The first day started off with Skeem Team featuring a group of Villanova former players such as Scootie Reynolds, Reggie Redding, James Bell, & Maurice Sutton. They also included Ryan Brooks; Temple U Alum. They defeated Chuck Ellis Workout team that featured Wayne Ellington (Sacramento Kings), Mardy Collins and Ronald “Flip” Murray. The second game featured Rumph Center, which stars Mike Green, Sharif Bray, Khalif Wyatt and Malcolm Eleby. They faced off and were defeated by And 1 that has Tasheed Carr, Vinny Simpson, and Garrett Williamson.

2014 Danny Rumph Classic at LaSalle University

FOE was able to defeat Team Pesci (SP) but needed OTs to do so. It came close with clutch shots lead by Sean Evans, Mario Little, Maalik Wayns and Rodney Green who put on a show for FOE. Team Pesci was led by Tywain McKee, Ramone Moore and Rick Jackson. The 2 teams had some big time coaches led by Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavilers) for Team Pesci and The Morris Twins (Markieff and Marcus of the Phoenix Suns). Last but not least JT Ballas starred Jason Thompson, Ryan Thompson, Novar Gadson, and Hakim Warrick.  They were able to take down IBall Athletics that features Denzel Jackson, Jason Hickenbottom, and Paul Graham.

As the tournament continued Chuck Ellis Workouts and IBall Athletes were eliminated early after their dog fight second games to try and stay alive. JT Ballas was able to defeat FOE led by Hakim Warrick, who came up with some really tough clutch shots. And 1 defeated Skeem Team with the hard play by Garrett Williamson and Vinny Simpson.

In the third day, Skeem Team was able to defeat Team Pesci, while FOE would lose to Rumph Center featuring a big time performance where Mike Green would have his way. JT Ballas would defeat And 1 to capture an automatic bid in the championship but would have to wait to find out who they would play. Skeem Team would defeat Rumph Center putting their team in contention to make it to the championship. On Sunday, Skeem Team would face off against And 1 in a really challenging game. Reggie Redding and Scottie Reynolds would come up with the win for them.

In the final, Skeem Team would face off against JT Ballas. JT Ballas would be without Jason Thompson who would not play and it would show at times, he could be a huge part. They also would not have Novar Gadson or Mike Ringgold on hand. That would not stop Skeem Team from having their loaded roster, adding Isaiah Armwood to the team. The game would start off back and forth with some leverage to JT Ballas with the play of Ryan Thompson. Reggie Redding and Scottie Reynolds would catch heat like the last game with dropping 3’s to get up on the lead and extend it. At half, Hakim Warrick would help his team get within 10, including an astronomical dunk over a defender. Mark Tyndale, Ryan Thompson and Hakim Warrick would get their team within 2 points but that would be enough room to life the confidence of Reynolds. Reynolds would be left open in about 4 different spots knocking down clutch shots to get the lead up to 11. JT Ballas would try and make one more push but Corey Fisher would help the team out with some drives to the basketball and pull up jump shots. Skeem Team would grab the 2014 Championship winning 116-108 over JT Ballas. Reggie Redding would grab the MVP with 26 points.

 

2014 Rumph Classic Champs: Skeem Team

Championship Box Score-                                                                                         

Skeem Team:                                                              

Ronald Moore – 9 pts.                                                 

Corey Fisher – 15 pts.                                                  

Reggie Redding – 26 pts.                                              

Ryan Brooks – 24 pts.                                                  

Rob Kurz – 13 pts.                                                       

Mo Sutton – 3 pts.

Scottie Reynolds – 23 pts.

Isaiah Armwood – 7 pts. 

JT Ballas:
Ryan Thompson – 25 pts.
Kyle Hines – 4
Donte Greene – 23 pts.
Mark Tyndale – 31 pts. 
Hakim Warrick – 25 pts.   
 

MVP: Reggie Redding of Skeem Team, Coach Kyle Sample and Rump Classic Director Mike Morak

All Danny Rumph Tournament:

First Team:

Reggie Redding (MVP) (Skeem Team)

Mike Green (Rumph Center)

Ramone Moore (Team Pesci)

Rodney Green (FOE)

Hakim Warrick (JT Ballas)

Second Team:

Ryan Thompson (JT Ballas)

Ronald “Flip” Murray (Chuck Ellis Workouts)

Vinny Simpson (And 1)

Scottie Reynolds (Skeem Team)

Terrence Roderick (And 1)