MVI Summer Basketball League: DeShields evolving into MVP candidate
By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com
There are many storylines to keep an eye on as we inch closer to the midway point of the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League season.
One of the top storylines of the Boys Division has to be the way Keondre DeShields is filling the basket.
DeShields, a junior from Laurel Highlands, is scoring at will for Howard Hanna Wilson Baum. The total package, DeShields has been scoring from all over the court whether it be outside, attacking the basket from the wing or putting back offensive rebounds.
Needless to say, he’s off to a hot start averaging over 33 points per game this season.
DeShields has been the leader for his Howard Hanna Wilson Baum team. It’s a good start considering the roster is nearly totally new from last year’s team. Belle Vernon Area’s Daniel Gordon opted to declare free agency and now plays for Farmers Insurance. Steel Valley’s Makhai Valentine was traded to Elite Physical Therapy for the Kiski School’s Robert Cain. This week, Montour senior big man Isayah Mosley was traded and played his first game for Campy’s Pizza Thursday. Brandon Patterson, who was the return for Howard Hanna in the trade, was not available for Thursday’s game.
The roster isn’t the only thing that’s new for Howard Hanna. New Ringgold head basketball coach Matt Rowland has taken over on the sidelines and his team is gaining momentum as the relationship and expectations from Rowland and assistant Kasey McIntyre continue to grow.
“What more can I say about Keondre,” Rowland said. “Not only is he the leading scorer in the league, but he is really starting to dominate on the defensive end as well. I know he has some great, highly touted teammates in the league and I am probably a little biased, right now, he’s the MVP of the league. With what he’s done with the young guys we have is amazing.”
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