Friends’ Central’s Jefferson stars as I-3 team wins Donofrio

The best thing about Amile Jefferson is that he sees the big picture.

Though he has already achieved loads of basketball success at the high school level, his hat still fits. As do his britches.

Numerous observers already view the 6-8, 195-pound Jefferson, just a junior at Friends' Central School, as the top player in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and as someone who could conclude his scholastic career as a participant in the McDonald's All-American Game.

"That's something that's way in the back of my mind," Jefferson said. "I don't want to let that become too big of a thought.

"The way I look at it, there are a lot of areas where I need to improve. I have to keep working. Have to keep getting better. And I'm happy about that. I'd be unhappy if I thought I was already at my peak."

Outside a locker room filled with giddy teammates, Jefferson spoke those words Tuesday night at the Fellowship House in Conshohocken.

Minutes earlier, Jefferson and the I-3 All-Stars had bested Bucks County, 103-99, to take the championship in the 51st annual Albert C. Donofrio Classic. This was not an uncommon occurrence. I-3 is a fitting name, as this crew also won in 2009 and 2010.

"An amazing experience," Jefferson said. "This is one of the best tournaments around. Anywhere. To win it three straight times is definitely one of the highest possible honors. We'll be remembered at this place 10, 20, 30 years from now. I'm going to cherish this forever."

As the game began, Jefferson looked like someone who would have been better off as a spectator. That's what missing six consecutive shots from the floor can do to a guy.

By halftime, he still owned only three points. Later, he was his fluid, yet dominant self while finalizing his totals at 21 points and 13 rebounds. Two of his buckets came on high-flying dunks.

It was a given, based on his consistent, eye-popping performances, that Jefferson would make the all-tourney team. Even better, in his eyes, was this: He earned the sportsmanship award.

"To get this kind of acknowledgement is great. Very humbling," he said. "It means that people noticed the things I did that didn't involve points or rebounds."

Jefferson, who lives near 47th and Woodland, is the son of former West Philadelphia High and Delaware State star Malcolm Musgrove. Amile's very little brother, Malcolm, was in attendance Tuesday night and entertained the fans at several junctures by buzzing around the court, even when the awards were being presented.

We'll have to see how good Lil' Malcolm becomes. For now, the big question is, Where will Amile wind up?

When asked to reel off the names of possible destinations, he came up with Temple, Villanova, Georgetown, Wake Forest, Duke, Stanford, Maryland . . .

He then mentioned that his mother, Quetta, recently took a day trip to 'Nova to check out the campus, and that the family has made drives to those schools in the South just to get a feel for what the travel would be like. A journey to Stanford is also in the offing.

"I'm thinking I'll probably wind up at an East Coast school," Jefferson said. "But I have to say, I'm really looking forward to seeing Stanford. Who knows? I might be blown away by a West Coast school and just decide I have to be there, even though the travel for my family would be harder."

Jaylen Bond (Plymouth-Whitemarsh), who has backed off a commitment to Pitt and now will attend St. Thomas More Prep in Connecticut, posted 28 points and nine boards for I-3. MVP Devin Coleman (FC) added 15 points, while Malcolm Gilbert (Academy of the New Church) and Joey Gripper (Abington Friends) had 12 and 10, respectively. Gripper added six assists.

Bucks County received monstrous performances from a trio of lefties. Darrun Hilliard (Bethlehem Liberty), a Villanova signee, exploded for 38 points. Andrew Nicholas (Eastern York, Monmouth) edged Aaron Morgan (Council Rock North, a junior), 24-23.

Jefferson provided two milestones down the stretch: a dunk to make it 84-74 and two free throws for a 92-79 edge with 4:29 showing.

"We're not an AAU team, but we have really good chemistry," Jefferson said. "All 3 years, I've had two other Friends' Central guys with me and that helps a lot. As we've picked up new guys, they've blended right in. They're not just teammates. They're friends."

Showing good-teammate tendencies, he then rattled off the names of pretty much everyone. Any moment, one half-expected him to name all I-3 rooters who were seated within 10 feet of the bench.

Amile Jefferson. Remember the name. And that what will likely be his biggest moment of the 2011-12 season won't involve Burger King. *