Versatile Mont leads World Comm over Parkway Northwest

Markeith Mont's biggest fan is also his tiniest.

There he was Thursday, all bundled up, watching a Public E basketball game from a corner of Parkway Northwest's barn-like, yet appealing gym. Well, when he wasn't taking a nap.

Markeith Jr. is all of 4 months old.

"He'll sit with me in the house and watch college games on TV," Markeith Sr. said. "I'll go to him, 'You know what you're watching?' And he'll just smile."

Markeith Mont, who plays every position save point guard, but might as well do that too because he boasts excellent court vision, is a 6-3, 195-pound senior at World Communications Charter. And these are hectic times in his life.

Mont does well in the classroom and is about to tackle the SAT. Since La Salle and Rider, among other schools, have at least inquired, the screws are turning. There's also the challenge, of course, of continuing to tackle parenthood at such a young age.

"In the beginning," Mont said, "I was feeling a little pressure with a baby coming along. But my teammates and coaches and family helped me get through that part, and everything's fine now. I'm going forward.

"I love having my son around. If I could, I'd spend all day with him."

As World Comm mostly eased to a 61-38 victory, Mont hustled for 21 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and seven steals. Many other snappy passes led to two-shot fouls or, unfortunately, weren't quite caught before dropping over the baseline.

That last sentence is included for reasons you'll discover right now.

"I love passing the ball," Mont said. "That's my favorite thing."

Come again? Just 2 days earlier, didn't Mont pour in 36 points vs. Stephen A. Douglas, thus raising his career total to 1,026?

Indeed.

"But I like passing. I really do," he said. "I know I can get mine. I like helping my teammates get theirs."

Mont reached 1,000 on a rebound-follow combo. Since the game was played on WC's home court, of course it was stopped and Markeith was presented the ball.

Check that.

"Nah, they didn't," he said, laughing. "Everybody knew that basket got me to 1,000. The game did stop a little later. I had a big dunk and everybody was going crazy. I'm hearing they might do [a ceremony] at our next home game on Tuesday."

WC, located on Broad Street five blocks south of City Hall, is a seventh-year PL member, and Mont is its first 1,000-point scorer.

Coach Kenyatta McKinney often uses Mont on the high post because he can make strong moves to the basket and use either hand while absorbing contact. On one play Thursday, he even switched the ball from one hand to the other in midair. Overall, he shot 6-for-12 (one trey) and 8-for-12 and tallied 11 points in a 19-9 first quarter.

In the third quarter, Mont showed he understands basketball's inner workings. After missing a pair of midrange jump shots and sensing he was off - well, at least momentarily - he used a strong dribble to break down two defenders, then softly banked home a 6-footer.

His college position will be wing guard.

"I don't mind playing inside now," he said. "My job is to be a leader, a general, and help our team win. As long as we're winning, I don't mind doing anything. It's all good."

Shon Phillips (12) also scored in double figures for the Stallions. Fateem Glenn, a little-guy whirlwind, mixed nine points, seven steals and even five boards (second behind Mont). Quamier Johnson also contributed (five) to the quite high total of 23 thefts.

Corey Widgins, the king of on-the-move flips, led PkyNW in points (11), assists and steals (four apiece). Michael Leach and Darren White-Green claimed 10 and eight boards, respectively.

Mont, who lives near 10th and Butler, headed for World Comm after graduating from Incarnation in Olney. He wanted a school that would prepare him for college, and he treasures his time there. He hopes to major in physical therapy.

And, yes, Junior will be a player.

"He'll have to be," Senior said, smiling. "He's always going to be around basketball." *