University City defeats Germantown

There's something oh so delicious about the fact that Brandon Baynes is hooked on "Law & Order" and envisions becoming a lawyer.

He was recently involved in his own sticky case.

It never hit a courtroom. Wasn't that kind of situation. Baynes' head was spinning, though, his spirits were at an all-time low and there was big doubt about whether he'd even get to play basketball in this, his senior year.

The 5-5, 145-pound Baynes is a point guard for University City High. Was last season, too. But he spent the first 3 months of this school year at Delaware Valley Charter and that was a problem in the mind of Lou Williams, UC's coach and athletic director.

PIAA rules state that transfers are eligible only after the principals of the sending and receiving schools sign documents stating they believe the switch was not made for athletic purposes. Williams smelled something fishy and expressed that belief to D-V's athletic director, Will Cambria.

This didn't look good: Baynes played for D-V's squad in a summer league before actually enrolling.

"I was just looking to stay in shape. Have fun playing ball. It was like a summertime workout thing," Baynes said. "I played for UC's team in a spring league, but we weren't doing stuff in the summer.

"When I decided to enroll at Del-Val, I had the better education in mind. There's no doubt it was better for me. I had a 3.0 up there. I didn't know anybody, so there were no distractions. I just stayed to myself and got my work done."

Yesterday, Baynes collected 12 points, three assists, two steals and even four rebounds as UC bested visiting Germantown, 55-50, in a Public A game. He transferred back to Jaguarville when it became evident his move to D-V would not be approved without stress.

"He's the one. He makes us go," Williams said.

While attending D-V, Baynes lived with a sister in Northeast Philly. He's now living at his father's house around the corner from Overbrook.

"I really didn't see these guys for a few months," Baynes said, referring to his teammates. "Coming back, I was wondering if there'd be any problems [with acceptance]. But everything was cool. I have a good connection with my coach, too. I had no intention of disrespecting my team.

"I was going to Del-Val for the right reason, then I got caught in the middle."

Like anyone his size who becomes a prominent player, Baynes defines frisky. In this one, he also showed excellent, step-it-up timing.

These days at Pub games, a zany moment is always on the doorstep. Ready for the latest?

Early in the fourth quarter, puzzled as to why Germantown was not yet shooting one-and-ones, the referees discovered that UC's scorekeeper had somehow neglected to keep track of team fouls. Left with no other option, they cross-checked with Germantown's scorekeeper, Preston Branch, who informed them that an eighth foul had just been committed.

"That happened within the time frame of a correctable error," ref Jack Kapenstein said.

Thus, two G-town players, Ramadan Abdullah and Eddie Callender, went to the line for one-and-ones. With a chance at four points, the Bears got none.

Baynes promptly zoomed through everyone for a three-point play, thus providing a 41-39 lead. He quickly added another layup off a steal and soon, Micah Peeler (12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, four steals) was bullying for his own three-point play and a 48-41 bulge.

UC showed great balance as the starters scored from nine to 12 points - Michael Clemmons and Martez Lyles halved 20 and Nashawn Gray had nine.

Dominique Twiggs (17), Abdullah and Callender (10 apiece) paced the Bears. Callender (11) and Twiggs (nine) led in rebounds while Abdullah, the star quarterback, mixed seven assists with three steals.

Baynes, who boasts a qualifying SAT score and is receiving interest from Delaware State and Wilmington University, is quite popular with UC's fan base. Not to mention, judging by their squeals, the cheerleaders.

"I'm a pass-first, shoot-second guy," he said. "I like to make my teammates look good. But if we're on the break and I see a hole in the defense, I'm going to attack it.

"I've always been the smallest guy, but that doesn't bother me. I've got heart. Height doesn't matter to me. That's nothing."