Most Valuable Player:

Zoe Beard Fails

Georgetown Day

College: Undecided

Sportsmanship Award

Merritt Hempe

Stafford High School

College: University of Virginia

Co-Most Valuable Player

Rashad Gadson

Westfield High School

St. John's Military Academy (Post Grad)

College: Undecided

Co-Most Valuable Player

Treveon Graham

St. Mary's Ryken

College: Virginia Commonwealth University

Zoe Beard-Fails (Georgetown Prep / Reston, VA)  

Most Valuable Player Award Recipient              AAU Program: Boo Williams

Beard-Fails is a physical post/wing that attacks the offensive glass, refuses to be blocked out and can grab rebounds out of his area. In the post, she uses fakes to create angles and score around his defender or uses the two-dribble drop step to his left with a right-handed jump hook. She can also knock down several 15-foot jumpers and ran the floor in transition, where she is able to catch the ball on the move and finish around the basket. Defensively, she is not a shot blocker, but is a great positional defender who can wall off offensive players with her skill and size. We are sure to see Fails play on the next level.

Merritt Hempe (Stafford High School / Stafford, VA)

Girls ESBC Game Sportsmanship Award           AAU Program: Team Unique

Hempe has a great feel for the game, facing up or back to the basket Hempe displayed her toughness and grit on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Offensively she made some tough buckets but showed that she knows how to score with 15ft. Defensively her foot work and understanding of how she got her shoots was evident of the time spent in the gym, her ability to change opponents shots was not a box filler but her presence was known by all who entered the paint. Hempe as committed to take her game to Charlottesville, VA and play for the University of Virginia.

Zora Stephenson (Oakton High School / Oakton, VA / Elon University Commit)

Girls ESBC Game Sportsmanship Award                  AAU Program: Boo Williams

Sharp shooting Zora Stephenson, was the biggest surprise of the girls games. Coming in after a loss at the Virginia tournament, Stephenson put in major work. We guess that she was so upset that she used the court as her platform to display her abilities that led Oakton High School to a great finish during their run at a championship. Several times Stephenson came down in transition and pulled up for DEEP three point buckets that got the crowd asking for another. Elon University is getting a heck of a player!!!

Erin Meador (Centreville High School / Centreville, VA)

AAU Program: Fairfax Stars

Although playing a solid game Meador wasn't going to be out played by the other ladies in the game. Erin waiting until the final quarter of the game to raise her game and make her presence known. Meador who plays for Centreville High School, Centreville, VA and the 16 and Under Fairfax Stars Nike Premier Showcase team was a presence throughout the game but as we mentioned her play down the stretch had a lasting impression on the ESBC game committee.  With time expiring in the final quarter Erin got a key steal and bucket that took the crowd by surprise and catapulted her team to victory. Meador has a great feel for the game, she knows her way around the court and has a good shout. 

Rashad Gadson (Westfield H.S. / Chantilly, VA / St Johns Northwest Military Academy)

Boys ESBC Game Co-MVP Award            AAU Program: VA Elite

Coming into the ESBC their were many who questioned Gadsons' ability for one reason or the other, but once the ball was put into play all the talk had to be put into action. Immediately his speed and agility was more dominating than his appearance, many of the players had received awards from All-District to All-State made a tough time adjusting to his change of speed and quick burst that even had the opposing coaches changing their strategy. Gadson showed his mid-rang and three point shooting ability as well as his lack of fear going down the lane and finishing in traffic.

Boys ESBC Game Co-MVP Award         AAU Program: Threat 220

We knew the first time we saw Treveon Graham play this kid had something special. Graham was selected as a second team member of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) but still wanted to show that he could get the job done. After 7 minutes the combination of Graham and Gadson was obviously more than the other team expected. Graham has good ball handling skills and can get his shot off in traffic and can defend in the paint and on the perimeter. Graham has committed to play for Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.