The Danny Rumph Classic never lacks grit or star power. On Friday, the two combined to form an absolute spectacle.
In the main event of the evening, LA Clippers guard Bones Hyland, former Maryland guard Eric Ayala and New Orleans Pelicans guard Izaiah Brockington represented CheckRock.
On the other sideline, former Providence center Ed Croswell, former Penn State point guards Sam Sessoms and D.J. Newbill, San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan Hall, former La Salle guard Ramon Galloway, former Villanova forward Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, former Iona guard A.J. English and Rumph Classic legend Brandon Austin represented Blue Magic.
When any of those eight guys have to come off the bench in a tournament like the Rumph, it says more than enough about the talent pool.
With Basketball Hall of Famer and Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson in attendance, both teams put on a show.
If and when a star like Hyland comes through the Rumph, they more than likely have to go through Austin. On Friday, the two locked horns and went at it. Both players traded tough three-pointer and crafty layups, bringing every able body in the gym to their feet.
BRANDON AUSTIN AND BONES HYLAND ARE GOING AT IT pic.twitter.com/A9sPkm6rCX
— Rumph Classic (@RumphClassic) August 5, 2023
Ayala refused to miss out on the fun, though, as he scored 22 points of his own.
Galloway scored 20 points of his own, and grabbing five rebounds to go with them. In the second half, he and Hall (a St. Joe’s product) decided to join Atlantic-10 forces and prevent Hyland (a VCU product) from matching his first half total of 31 points.
Hall nailed several key threes down the stretch to help Blue Magic trim the lead to six points. However, the scoring prowess of a Ram was stronger than the partnership between a Hawk and an Explorer.
Despite many impressive performances, the star of the night was Hyland, who finished with 56 points and showed the 215 that he can withstand the Philly grit.
As expected, no one on the court backed down to anyone on Friday night, putting the competitive fierceness and passion that embodies the Rumph on full display.
“I love playing in this atmosphere,” Hyland said. And he isn’t the only one, which is why the legendary Rumph Classic is still getting bigger and better after 18 years.
