All-Ohio Freshmen Place at AAU Nationals

All-Ohio Red 2015-9th Place Finish AAU Nationals

This past weekend All-Ohio’s U-15 squad recovered from a slow start to go on to collect a 9^th place finish at the AAU Nationals in Little Rock, Arkansas. After taking a loss to Team and finishing 2-1 in pool play, All-Ohio was knocked out of the championship round by BABC (63-50).  From there, All-Ohio went on a 3-0 run in the consolation bracket to claim 9^th place.  All-Ohio defeated the Arkansas Soldiers 68-53 in the championship game.  All-Ohio’s roster included Garfield Height’s Willie Jackson who had been playing with DB Hoops and King James for most of the summer.

In other news, All-Ohio’s U-16 squad traveled down to Myrtle Beach, SC and captured the Orange Bracket championship of the always-competitive Hot Shots tournament.  After dropping their opening game, All-Ohio ran the table on their way to the title. After the tournament, All-Ohio headed north to North Augusta, GA to participate in the Peach Jam.

King James Shooting Stars

Also, despite a poor showing at Quincy Simpson’s Nationals Prep Tournament in Lima last week, the 2016 King James Shooting Stars rebounded, and took care of business in the Windy City on Sunday, as they captured the championship of King James Summer Showcase in Chicago.  Playing without studs Tervell Beck and Willie Jackson, King James finished the tournament undefeated, including a win over Ohio-based Elevate in the semi-finals. Below is a recap submitted by a fan in the stands:

Two teams from Ohio made the final four, King James (NE Ohio) and Elevate Basketball (Central Ohio).  King James has really loaded up the talent with several gifted players and strong reputations in Ohio.  King James finished pool play 2-1 losing to Team Y&R 49-47.  Team Y&R was an urban Chicago team with a tough, raw and undisciplined approach.  They played a full court, up-tempo style and intimidated teams with their toughness but didn't shoot well.   Elevate Basketball went 3-0 in pool play.

Anthony Christian

King James beat MPLS Reign out of Minnesota in their first game of bracket play, while Elevate edged the Chicago Demons in a very physical battle.   King James then went on to beat Elevate in the semi-finals 43-40.  Anthony Christian led the way with high score for King James, while Derek Funderburk and Keith Griffin both played exceptional in the semi-final.   Point guard Keith Griffin played well all weekend.   Elevate went 4-1 in the Chicago AAU showcase and was led by Mason Baich and Seve Stavroff all weekend long.

King James went on to beat Iowa Barnstormers in the finals by 13 points.  The Iowa Barnstormers were a very solid team that had won the Iowa summer state AAU championship. They had good size, well coached, fundamentally sound and tough.  The group looked like they had played together for many years.  Ultimately the athleticism of King James outlasted the strong Iowa group.