Team Lima Claims National Title



Xavier Simpson

Earlier this month, Team Lima participated in the 2011 GRBA National Tournament in Ft. Wayne, IN., and brought home the championship trophy.  Coach Warren Pughsley filed the following report.

“As the Gym Rats Basketball Association national tournament for the high school kids is about to jump off, let's look at the event for the younger kids that took place in Fort Wayne July 9-11.  Of the 35 teams in the 7th grade division of the tournament, Gateway Basketball Club and the St. Louis Tigers repped the STL, while the Michigan Titans, Dorian's Pride and the Michigan Warriors came through for that state up north.  Fieldhouse Elite Blazers, Future Stars and all the Spiece teams were Indiana's finest.  The Illinois Raptors got in the mix and the Louisville Legends and Northern Kentucky Legends made sure that the Bluegrass State wasn't left out of the conversation.  DAT Milwaukee Spartans brought a big team to the event, and Ohio Basketball Club (OBC), the Toledo Kings, and Team Lima (Black) gave Ohio its best chance to bring the title home to the Buckeye State.  In pool play there were some very competitive games for most teams, but the Michigan Warriors, Gateway, OBC and Fieldhouse Elite Blazers all had easy wins on Friday and Saturday, while Team Lima won by 9 over the St. Louis Tigers.  The Louisville Legends beat the Toledo Kings in a close game.  The Future Stars with Vijay Blackmon beat DTA to finish first in their pool as well.  In the sweet 16 of bracket play, Dorian's Pride eliminated the STL Tigers, Fieldhouse Elite ran away from the Ohio Players, OBC easily beat the Illinois Raptors, DTA Spartans outplayed the Louisville Legends, the Michigan Titans upset Gateway, the Michigan Warriors had no problem with Tolson Select, while the Toledo Kings shocked the Future Stars, and Team Lima beat a solid BN Boys squad.  In the Elite 8, Fieldhouse Elite was too much for Dorian's Pride, OBC beat DTA, the Kings fell to the Warriors, and Team Lima dominated the Titans.  Everyone saw Fieldhouse Elite and OBC blowing through their competition on a collision course in the final 4, and they didn't disappoint with Fieldhouse winning a good game.  In the other semi-final, Team Lima jumped up 20 points at half against the Michigan Warriors and they Panthers never looked back.  Then Team Lima overcame a sluggish first half to beat Fieldhouse Elite 52-38 for the championship.  Xavier Simpson, Jaylen Thomas and Zach Goecke led the team in scoring while the exceptional defense of Demontay Liles and Trey Cobbs frustrated their opponents.  Newcomer Marcus Dempsey played well in his first event with Team Lima.  Marquevius Wilson and Nick Taflinger led the team in rebounding.  It was Team Lima's 2nd consecutive tourney win after taking the Midwest Youth Tournaments national event last month in Louisville.  Team Lima finished the season 45-8 and is looking to make noise in Orlando at 8th grade AAU Nationals in 2012.” Report submitted by Warren Pughsley