J’lon Lyons – Clinton Grace Photo: Bradley Steiner (IG)
By: Mamadou Bah
After another successful season that saw Clinton Grace finish with a 24-8 overall record and reach the MDPSSBT Final–ultimately falling to Bullis 52-37–the program is now poised to take the next steps in its rise, with eyes firmly set on becoming the next high school basketball powerhouse.
Returning for another season of Capitol Hoops Summer League, Clinton Grace opened their campaign with a high-stakes matchup against defending champions DeMatha in the Ledo’s Pizza Game of the Week. Rising to the occasion, Clinton Grace pulled off a statement win, taking down the champs 56-49 in an electrifying battle.
J’Lon Lyons led the charge with a dominant performance, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He showcased his athleticism throughout the night, getting out in transition and firing up the crowd with a series of flashy dunks. The 6’2 guard, who holds offers from programs like Texas A&M and VCU, credits his growth to the hours he puts in behind the scenes.
“I spend countless hours in the gym working on my game–with my teammates and my dad,” Lyons said. This performance is just a testament to that work. I’m hoping to keep building and pick up even more offers going into next season.”
This victory not only sets the tone for their summer but also marks DeMatha’s third loss in the past four years at the CHSL.
When asked how he plans on keeping his team locked in and confident throughout the rest of the summer league, the Clinton Grace Head Coach emphasized the team’s foundation of accountability and hard work.
“The culture we’ve built at Grace is simple–nothing is more important than the work,” he said. “If you’re not working hard, the next man steps up.”
Clinton Grace is set to face off against Potomac School next Thursday, with both teams looking to add another win to their summer league record.