After four thrilling days of basketball, people once again assembled in droves at the Community College of Philadelphia on Monday night to watch the grand finale of the 19th annual Danny Rumph Classic as FOE was set to face off against the team Rumph Center in the championship matchup of the pro-am tournament.
Both squads had fought their way to the top, overcoming challenging opponents like 8EYE, led by NCAA and NBA champion Collin Gillespie, to Blue Magic, which featured for Duke Blue Devil Tre Duval, earning their spot in the last dance. With big names from Alize Johnson, who led Rumph Center, to the Morris twins, who once again were the face for FOE, the excitement in the gym was overflowing, especially with other NBA talent like former Philadelphia 76er P.J. Tucker and Isaiah Wong taking the floor as well.
While there’s not a strict capacity limit, save for the Fire Marshall may say, this game reached levels beyond typical sold-out status. The bleachers were completely filled on both sides. Fans gathered around the perimeter of the court just for a chance to see the action on the hardwood. Mixing even with journalists and photographers, fans looked for any way to avoid missing out.
A slow start from FOE gave an air of anticipation that an upset was potentially about to take place. While Rumph Center boasted a talented roster, the combination of Tucker, Wong, and the Morris twins seemed too tough to doubt. As the game progressed, it became clear that Rumph Center’s hot start was not meant to last.
FOE quickly found their footing and put on an unforgettable show for the jam-packed crowd despite the fact that they continued to pull the game further and further away.
Soon, as the game continued to grow out of hand and the highlight show began as the stars elevated FOE far beyond where Rumph Center could reach. The Morris twins dazzled the crowd while Piscataway NJ native Isaiah Wong, who most recently played for the Phoenix Suns’ Summer League squad, put on a dominant performance, leading to him being crowd this year’s MVP.
Eventually, when the game was undoubtedly out of reach, FOE was named the winner in a dominant effort when it mattered most. This was the fifth year that FOE, named after the Morris twins’ Family Over Everything Foundation, took home the hardware. The Family Over Everything Foundation provides assistance, serving underserved communities in Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., and more, specifically, members of single-parent households and youth in underserved areas.
FOE’s victory marked the end of yet another successful tournament for the Rumph Classic and the cause behind the tournament, the Daniel E Rumph II Foundation. As fun as the tournament is every year, it’s also a somber reminder of the responsibility we all share to raise awareness about heart health and to save the next bright star.
