For photos from the Capital Classic, including Niemo arm-curling a couple recruits and the ACC Super Punk, click here.

Gus Gilchrist, one of four members of the 2007 VT Recruiting Class playing in the 34th Capital Classic at the comcast center at the u of maryland, took home the MVP as the Capital All-Stars beat the U.S. All-Stars 149-145. Gus had at least 24 points by my count, including a three-pointer in the first half. He also had the most embarrassing play of the game when he missed a wide open dunk in the first half and fell on his keyster.

The Capital Classic, once a marque high school all-star game, has now become more of a B-List game. Only approximately 2,000 attended the event at the 17,000 seat comcast center in college park, md. However, it did feature four of Tech’s six 2007 recruits. Malcolm Delaney, Dorenzo Hudson, and Jeff Allen played for the U.S. All-Stars while Gilchrist was the lone Capital All-Star.

Delaney (my personal pick as the best VT recruit in this class) was named to the game’s All-Star team in addition to Gilchrist. Delaney had 13 points in the first half, and approximately 10 in the second half. He was 9 of 11 from the line by my count and showed great touch from the line and beyond the arc, and showed the ability to finish near the hoop with either hand. With the help the Hokies need at guard next year, I smell ACC First Team All-Rookie for Malcolm next year. He is a very capable scorer from anywhere and is a great athlete.

Jeff Allen, a former teammate of Nigel Munson at DeMatha and current teammate of Dorenzo Hudson at Hargrave, had at least 14 points by my count. He showed some solid post moves, which VT greatly needs. He is not 6’9″ as advertised, though. I would guess he’s more in the 6’6″ to 6’7″ range. Jeff has an average touch from the line. Allen is also a great rebounder and likely had a double-double in this game.

Dorenzo Hudson had just two points at the half but scored 10 in the second, including a couple of threes. He has a decent stroke and a good, strong body. I can see him being a potential shut down defender who can post up smaller guards.

Gilchrist stole the show though in the second half. He showed he could hit from the outside, score with his back to the basket in the low post, and finish inside. He is every bit the 6’10″ he’s listed as and will be able to match up with anyone in the ACC in the blocks. Gus already has a college body.

As for the game, it was nearly a Capital blow-out. They led 49-28 after one quarter (yes, quarter). They were playing NBA length quarters for some reason. But the U.S. made a run in the second half and came close to tying the score on several occasions. The U.S. was coached by Kevin Keatts of Hargrave (Allen and Hudson). He put Delaney, Allen, and Hudson on the same “line” to steal a hockey term. They helped fuel the comeback in the second half. But in the end, the deficit from early in the game was too much to overcome.

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