DISTRICT 3-A BOYS' BASKETBALL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
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MVP: Kareem Oden, 5-11 sr G, New Hope Academy
About Oden: Primarily a distributing point guard during the Mighty Ants' regular season, Oden was freed to create his own offense during the playoffs.
Head coach David Archer knew opponents would key on sophomore leading scorer Montrel Morgan; he also knew Oden, despite scoring no more than 14 points in any regular-season game, could light it up if necessary. After all, he put up some big numbers at non-PIAA Emmanuel Baptist before transferring to New Hope for his senior season.
So what did Oden do in the Mighty Ants' championship run?
In the 75-56 quarterfinal victory over West Shore Christian, Oden scored a season-high 21 points and dished out five assists. But that season-high point total didn't last long...
In a 71-53 semifinal blowout of defending champ Lebanon Catholic, Oden established a new season high with 22 points (7-for-10 field goals, 8-for-11 free throws) and added five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
And, to cap his terrific tournament, Oden totaled 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and nine steals in the Ants' 58-35 triumph over Mount Calvary, leading a charge that saw New Hope force 27 turnovers.
"He plays like a Mid-Penn kid," Archer said after the Lebanon Catholic game. "He plays tough, hard-nosed defense, offense. He doesn't let other people dictate. He gets what he wants."
In this case, he and his teammates wanted gold. And they got it.
READ ABOUT NEW HOPE'S EMOTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Tyler Fegley, 6-2 sr G, Greenwood
Joshua Jeter, 5-9 sr G, Mount Calvary
Jason Kuntzelman, 5-9 sr G, Mount Calvary
Montrel Morgan, 6-2 so G, New Hope Academy
Anthony Thomas, 5-10 sr G, Lebanon Catholic
Others considered: Kalif Coates, Lancaster County Christian; NaGus Griggs, New Hope Academy; Jacob Keeports, West Shore Christian; Andy Wrobel, Antietam.