Josh Boone, one of the greatest players to come out of Carroll County, is blossoming into a star with the New Jersey Nets, and former Terrapin D.J. Strawberry is enjoying life playing for one of the league?s best teams, the Phoenix Suns.
Meantime, Joey Dorsey, a former standout at Douglass, has Memphis two wins away from winning the NCAA Tournament, and Georgetown?s DaJuan Summers, who starred at McDonogh, has played a major role in leading the Hoyas to national prominence.
Hundreds of players ? many with ties to Maryland and specifically Baltimore ? used playing in the Charm City Challenge, an annual All-Star basketball game, as a stepping stone leading to successful college careers and for a select few, the NBA and its multi-million dollar contracts.
“This game is huge,” said Mount St. Joseph senior center Henry Sims. “So many big-name players have played in this game, and a lot have gone on to be stars. Being able to plays with so many great players is a chance of a lifetime.”
Sims is one of 12 Baltimore All-Stars who will face a team composed of 12 United States All-Stars ? a squad that features 11 players who will compete for a major, Division I school next season.
When the Classic begins on Sunday afternoon at 3 at Towson Center with the opening act of a team of Baltimore City All-Stars facing players from Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Anne Arundel counties before the main event, it will mark the final high school game for most of the players.
“A lot of people in Baltimore look at me as a leader,” said St. Frances senior Sean Mosley, a Baltimore All-Star who will play for Maryland next season. A lot of kids will come to the game that look up to me. Its a great way to go out as a senior. It?s like my last home game.”
Last year, the Baltimore All-Stars, led by Most Valubale Player Malcolm Delaney, who is now starting for Virginia Tech, defeated the U.S., 116-113, marking their fifth victory in seven games.
The main event marks the first time many players who attended rival schools become teammates. Mosley led St. Frances to victory in the Baltimore Catholic League championship game over Henry Sims and Mount St. Joseph in a very physical game, but now the area?s two most talented players have joined forces.
But they haven?t forgotten the past.
“I know there is going to be some trash talk because everyone is going to remind each other what happened during the high school season,” Sims said. “But I?m looking forward to playing with the guys I went against my whole time in high school.”
Said Mosley: “[Trash talk] is going to come in. If the game?s going our way, maybe we?ll have a little trash talk.”
EIGHTH ANNUAL CHARM CITY CHALLENGE
When: Sunday, 3 p.m.
Where: Towson Center, Towson University
Tickets: $11-$75, by calling (410) 547-7328
Games: Baltimore City All-Stars vs. Baltimore County All-Stars, 3; Baltimore All-Stars vs. United States All-Stars, following first game.
Baltimore All-Stars: F Brad Bald (Severna Park); F Allan Chaney (New London, Conn.); G Kimmie English (Notre Dame Prep, Mass.); G Troy Franklin (Mt. Carmel); C MarcAnthony Franks (Mt. Carmel); F Brandon Greene (Towson Catholic); G Terrence Jones (Notre Dame Prep, Mass.); G Sean Mosley (St. Frances); F Gerrard Sheppard (McDonogh); C Henry Sims (Mount St. Joseph); G Omar Strong (Douglass); G Byron Westmoreland (Mervo).
