Panthers streak to title

Spencer Patterson

Monday, July 30, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

Lenny Cooke arrived in town with the big-time reputation. His old teammates left holding the Big Time title.

Unfazed by their star forward's decision to play for another squad in this year's adidas Big Time Tournament, the New York-based Long Island Panthers did what few thought they could do without the consensus top-10 senior prospect -- capture the 344-team event's overall championship.

"Maybe people thought we couldn't do it without him, but what they didn't know is we were here to win this tournament," Panthers guard Taquan Dean said. "Whatever they were thinking then, they know better now."

While Cooke and his new Prep Stars International teammates fell in Friday's second round of bracket play, the Panthers rolled on, plowing their way through a succession of some of the nation's top AAU squads: the Michigan Hurricanes, L.A. Rockfish, New York Ravens and Baltimore Select.

And in Sunday's finale, the Panthers finished off their sensational week with a relatively easy 84-73 win over a team they know well, Tim Thomas' Playaz from neighboring New Jersey.

"When Lenny told us he wasn't playing for us, it was kind of mind-boggling," said Panthers' forward Jason Fraser, the championship game MVP. "But we put it behind us. We said, 'We won without him at Hofstra (at this summer's Three Stripes Classic), why not do it here?' "

Despite Cooke's absence, the Panthers were hardly lacking for talent in Sunday's final game, No. 856 of the five-day event. A pair of top-100 seniors -- 6-6 Curtis Sumpter (18 points six rebounds) and the 6-7 Fraser (12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks) -- led an attack on the outmanned Playaz front line, with significant help from promising 6-9 rising senior Charlie Vallenueva (20 points, 10 rebounds)

A steady backcourt complemented that explosive trio, with Dean and Darryl Hill controlling the game's pace and making good decisions on the offensive end far more often than not.

The 6-2, Louisville-bound Dean, in particular, elevated his play in the title contest, knocking down 6-of-8 shots from the floor and all five attempts from the line in a 19-point effort. He also helped defend heralded Playaz point guard Elijah Ingram (18 points, 4-of-12 from 3-point range).

"Taquan was the unsung hero for the whole tournament because of what he did defensively, and this game he sure picked up his scoring," Panthers coach Ray Charles said.

For Charles, the tourney title was especially sweet, coming after several disappointing exits during the Big Time's first six years. The Panthers lost in 1995's inaugural championship and didn't get back there until Sunday, despite rosters that included the likes of current NBA players Lamar Odom and Khalid El-Amin.

"Maybe talent-wise, they were a little better, but not team-wise," Dean said. "We had the best team chemistry, and we showed it today."