A DMV Basketball Celebration: Georgetown vs Villanova
In a high-level display of Big East basketball that highlighted local DMV talent, Georgetown and Villanova faced off at Capital One Arena last Saturday.
The most frequently told story of the game was Villanova freshman guard Acaden Lewis’ homecoming performance, as he finished with 26 points and six assists. Lewis came up with plenty of clutch buckets, including a stepback 3-pointer with 1:46 remaining that effectively put the game out of reach in Villanova’s 80-73 win that snapped Georgetown’s then four-game winning streak.
While the end result is often the story, we can’t forget how much of the second half featured Georgetown’s Malik Mack scoring 15 of his team-high 21 points after halftime.
Down the stretch, the game essentially became a D.C. State Athletic Association showcase, as Mack, who attended St. John’s College High School and played for Team Takeover, and Lewis, who started his high school career at the same school before finishing at Sidwell Friends and playing for Team Durant, took over.
In an area already known for its talent, last Saturday’s game was a celebration of DMV hoops. Many local families and programs that supported these players made the trip to Capital One Arena.
If you’ve been around D.C area basketball in any capacity, you know how much sacrifice it takes—not just from the players, but from families who invest time, energy, and ultimately money just to put their kids in a position to succeed.
Outside of Lewis, Villanova also features Tyler Perkins (Landon School) and Bryce Lindsay, who attended IMG Academy but is from the Baltimore area.
Acaden Lewis on his DMV basketball Journey.
Georgetown is still hunting for the level of success that once made the brand a national staple in college basketball, but it is heavily relying on DMV talent in key rotation spots on a team that is highly competitive and often just a few breaks away from toppling some of the best teams in the country.
Alongside Mack, Georgetown features Caleb Williams (Sidwell Friends), Jayden Fort (Jackson-Reed), and Isaiah Abraham (Paul VI).
While the game served as a showcase and celebration, it also opens up a few questions, most importantly, what would it take for a local program to consistently retain D.C. area talent?
There have been strides made with the current Georgetown roster, as well as with other schools in the area, most notably with Baba Oladotun’s recent signing with Maryland; however, a gap remains that many local programs are still working to close.
Post game, I spoke with Villanova coach Kevin Willard, who credited some of his success in recruiting this area to his ability to design teams that “put the ball in their hands”.
Villanova Coach Kevin Willard on why he’s been successful recruiting the DC/Baltimore area.
While the freedom his offense gives his players, there is still more to figure out as I look further into the DMV basketball scene.
Overall, last Saturday was a fun day for D.C. area hoop fans and another example of the fight this Georgetown team continues to show despite the result.
As Big East play intensifies, District of Buckets will continue to follow the Hoyas, who have shown that when they are clicking, they can go step for step with NCAA tournament teams. It will be interesting to see how they bounce back from this loss and work to regain some of the magic they found during their four-game winning streak.
