Marylander finds a home in Donofrio Classic

TWO PLUS TWO does not always equal four, and Daniel Ochefu can provide verification.

Almost everyone with even a casual interest in high school basketball is aware of the Albert C. Donofrio Classic, a single-elimination tournament held in Conshohocken's Fellowship House that features talented all-star squads from near and semi-far.

The 6-10, 240-pound Ochefu, a Maryland native who's spending his high school years at Westtown School in West Chester, is bound for Villanova, and he was even a hot enough prospect to have signed his scholarship papers last November.

But as we said, two plus two does not always equal four.

In the 2011-12 Donofrio, he was quite the neophyte.

"I got asked by a couple teams to play here last year," Ochefu said. "It just didn't happen, and I really can't remember a reason.

"I-3 asked me this year, and I decided to do it."

The I-3 All-Stars are the champions for the fourth consecutive year, and the title game was played Tuesday night. In a 91-85 victory over Team Philly, Ochefu contributed 21 points (9-for-10 from the floor), 10 rebounds and five blocks, and each and every stat was needed.

Reason: I-3 had to play without another frontcourt star, Constitution's Savon Goodman, who was expected right up until tipoff, but never put his face in the place.

"I didn't necessarily think I had to do more," Ochefu said, emphasizing the second I. "All of us had to play better and make up for [Goodman's absence].

"Team Philly gave us a good battle, but I thought we did our jobs."

Ochefu said he was recruited by Westtown upon finishing the eighth grade, out of a summertime Sixers camp. He said he still considers himself a Marylander, but Philly and its 'burbs have struck enough of a positive chord that he wanted to stay here for college.

"It was a real close battle," he said. "Came down to three schools. I really liked the feeling I got from Villanova's coaches. The way they run their business is very professional, with lots of structure. And I liked that they didn't pressure me.

"I think I have a real high 'ball IQ. And I'm willing to work. Whatever coach [Jay] Wright wants from me, I'm going to provide it. Whether that means grabbing rebounds, running the floor and blocking shots one night or using good postup moves the next."

He smiled. "Really, I guess I'll have to do all of that some nights. I'm still improving my footwork. That's going to be important."

Most nights at Conshy, the spectators tend to merely watch, and appreciate in silent fashion, because few have rooting interests. But for this one, even the impartials were buzzing, because there was some tremendous up-and-down action.

Team Philly received a boost 7:35 before halftime when Ochefu, on a classic flop, incurred his third personal.

"That was tough being out," he said. "I kept thinking, 'Sitting here, I'm no use to my team.' It was important to keep my concentration. Play smart basketball while still being aggressive."

Beyond intermission, Ochefu posted 12 points, six boards and four rejections.

Ochefu fed soph Ja'Quan Newton (Ss. Neumann-Goretti) for a three-point play that made it 76-70. Soon, he was freeing himself for a second-chance bucket - the feed came from Maurice "Doo-Wop" Watson (Boys' Latin Charter, Boston University) - and a 79-70 lead.

For much of the game, TP's Rysheed Jordan (Roberts Vaux junior), Brandon Taylor (Trenton Catholic in New Jersey, Penn State) and Brandon Austin (Imhotep Charter junior, also Penn State) were terrific. But during the decisive stretch, they seemed to tire as one, and combined to miss 12 shots from the floor.

A hint of poor foul shooting down the stretch enabled TP to achieve respectability.

Amile Jefferson (Friends' Central) added 24 points, eight boards and six blocks for I-3, while Newton posted 13 and Marcus Gilbert (Academy of the New Church, Fairfield) had 11. Watson dished seven assists.

Jordan exploded for 34 points. He also totaled eight rebounds and 10 assists. Taylor (17) and Austin combined for 33 points.

Jefferson and Jordan shared tourney MVP honors. Ochefu made the All-Tourney squad.

"I'm really glad I decided to do this," he said. "I mean, it's all the best players, and I did a nice job. To have this be a positive experience, that was important."