March 10, 2007 — Aleem Delugo led St. John's Umoja to a 22-11 win over Dread Eyes of St. Croix Friday evening in the opening game of the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation's 13-15 Gregory "Big Youth" Davis Memorial tournament.
Officials from the agency spoke during a brief opening ceremony at the John H. Woodson Junior High School gymnasium, remembering Davis as "a mentor to many of our children."
Once the game got underway, Delugo moved like a jitterbug around the floor, scoring and defending. He finished with a game-high seven points while sitting out most of the fourth quarter.
The game started evenly in the first quarter, with both teams looking a little nervous. They soon settled down, however, and finished the period knotted at six all.
The second quarter was a plethora of turnovers. The teams only managed to score five points between them. Dread Eyes scored three and Umoja scored two to give Dread Eyes a 9-8 lead at the half.
Umoja Coach Charleston Charles was visibly upset with his team's performance in the first half, and he let them know at halftime. Umoja started the second half with a full-court press that wreaked havoc on Dread Eyes. This intense defense completely took the St. Croix team out of its game, and they only managed two points for the entire second half. Umoja, meanwhile, had no such problems and led by five third-quarter points from Delugo. Umoja began to pull away.
Umoja leader Delugo saw little action in the fourth quarter, but his team didn't need him. They continued to play tight defense, allowing Dread Eyes a lone point in the final period while scoring seven points themselves for the 22-11 victory.
Delugo finished with seven points and four rebounds, while J'moi Powell netted four point, four rebounds and three steals for Umoja. For Dread Eyes, three players finished with three points.
Charles had one word to explain his team's shaky first-half play.
"Nerves," he said. "They probably were a little nervous in the first half because it was our first game."
He continued, "You probably hear me shouting a little at them, but it is because I think we could protect the ball a lot better. My thing about coaching is about bettering your players. This team is a program I started five years ago, and most of these player you see I have here are honor students, because that is the standard I set. And when you see me screaming, it is because I know they can do better."
During the opening ceremony Friday, the deputy commissioner of Housing, Parks and Recreation, Dodson James, remembered tournament namesake Davis.
"Development of our youths is the single most important accomplishment for the future of this territory," James said. "If we fail them, we fail ourselves as parents and leaders. The Gregory 'Big Youth' Davis Basketball Tournament is a step in that direction, and it is an honor for this tournament to be named for him, for he truly was a mentor to many of our children."
The agency's acting commissioner, St. Claire Williams, thanked his staff for their work putting the tournament together before offering his own words in honor of Davis.
"We are indeed pleased to honor and pay homage to the memory of our co-worker, Gregory 'Big Youth' Davis, who was a recreation leader that was truly committed to the youths and in helping the youths," Williams said. "His interest in working with the young people was so intense that he transferred from the Department of Education to the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation in order that he could work with the youths."
In that capacity, Williams said, Davis made a difference.
"As a recreation leader at the Rudy Krigger Recreation Complex, he established a game room for the children who came to the facility, and went out of his way to ensure that the negative elements that were noted for the area were removed," he said. "We are grateful for the time he spent with us, and know that his spirit lives on and is demonstrated in this basketball tournament this weekend."
The tournament, which runs through Sunday, includes 10 teams from throughout the territory, including two each from St. Thomas and St. John.
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