Senior rookie lifts Northeast

WHEN A GUY is having a strong senior basketball season and that school's roster from the previous campaign doesn't list his name, these days the question is automatic:

"You must be a transfer. Where'd you go before?"

Breaking news!! De'Andre Williams wasn't stolen. This is his fourth year at Northeast and, finally, he's getting a chance to show his stuff. Strut it, even!

"I tried out every year. They always cut me," Williams said. "My grades were never the problem. They just didn't think I could play. Not even on JV.

"Every time I got cut, I promised myself I'd just work harder and harder. I'd come home and tell my mom and she'd say, 'Stay strong.' I played on an AAU team and that helped me, even though I was a sub."

Williams, a 5-9, 130-pound point guard, Tuesday posted 23 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots as the Vikings, before a large home crowd, pinned a 57-50, Public C defeat on Abraham Lincoln.

Williams shot 9-for-19 from the floor (one trey) and 4-for-6 at the line. He was at his best exactly when he needed to be, scoring 12 points in a 21-4 run that closed out the third quarter. Halftime ended 21-21. The Railsplitters posted the first seven points thereafter.

"I'm not going to lie," Williams said. "Since we've been on a winning streak, it was like we felt we had a win over Lincoln in the bag. Once we woke up, we played much harder and went out with a bang.

"It felt good to play like that [in the important stretch]. Every time I'm out there, I'm trying to do whatever it takes to get us a win, whether that's score or set up my teammates."

Williams said he understood, slightly, why he was axed before the 2011-12 season.

"That coach was moving up from the JV," he said. "I'm sure he felt comfortable with the guys he already coached and just moved them up with him; plus there were some [holdover] varsity players. I thought about trying another school. Don't know why I didn't, really. Probably should have. But it's working out now."

The Vikings' current coach is Ira Stern.

"Before the tryouts, I was getting support from kids around school," Williams said. "They were telling coach Stern, 'Watch out for De'Andre. He can play.' They'd seen me in gym class. When I found out I made the team, I was so happy. Coach told me personally. Came right up to my table in the lunchroom. That meant a lot. Everybody was happy for me."

With a hint of emotion, he added, "I couldn't wait to put on the uniform."

Tony Nayan aided the Vikings' cause by shooting 4-for-5 on treys en route to 14 points. Greg Mickens swept 12 rebounds.

For Lincoln, Anthony Caruso (6-for-8) notched all 18 of his points on threes, Raymond Fred mixed 13 points with eight rebounds and freshman Blair Bowes made five steals.

Williams lived in West Philly for almost all of his youth but now can be found near Large and Cottman, a short walk from Northeast. Naturally, he's hoping to draw college interest and would love to work in the medical field, perhaps as a nurse.

Johnathan Williams, De'Andre's father, is a regular at the games. Andrea Bailey, his mother, juggled some work duties and caught her first one Tuesday.

"She knows the game," De'Andre said. "Her favorite player was always Allen Iverson. She made me love him, too."

Yo, A.I., go check out De'Andre. The feeling would probably be mutual, especially in light of the back story.