NYBL's Carolina Preps Claim Championship

In NYBL action, the Carolina Preps 6^th Grade team won the 3^rd Annual Preps’ Invitational February 23-24 in Greensboro, NC. The Preps defeated ETU in the Gold semi-finals and went on to defeat their in-state rival Metrolina Havoc in the finals. The defensive effort for the Preps was impressive all weekend. The team unselfish play was key to their victories. The Preps have won 3 tournaments this season and is gearing up for the first NYBL event in a few weeks.

Nordonia Knights Finish Great Season

Nordonia Knights

The 6^th grade Nordonia Knights finished thier season with an impressive 35-2 overall record, which incudes a Hudson Kiwanis Hoops Classic championship on February 17, with wins over Hudson and Barberton in the final rounds.  In addition, the Knights were also league champs in the NEOYBL as well as winners of the Jackson YBL Polar Bear Classic on February 10. On February 24 the team was runner-up in the Division 1 OYB Boys School State Tournament held in Hilliard losing a rematch game to Olentangy Liberty Blue in a defensive battle (28-23). 

The team is pictured from the front row, left. Rob Levak, Cody Pestino, Brendan O’Donnell, Tom Cummings. 2^nd row left to right. Jordan Jones, Gabriel Byrd, Tony Mellone, Evan Wiehe and Julius Jones. Look for several of these players at the upcoming Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase on Sunday.  Congratulations to the Knights’ players, coaches, parents and fans for a great season!

Springfield Gold Grabs Title

Springfield Gold0GWOC Champions

 

The Springfield Gold 8th grade boys team won the GWOC North league title; received the #1 overall seed in the post season tournament, and went onto win the GWOC championship on Saturday Feb 16^th.  For the season, Springfield dominated the competition on their way to an impressive 18-0 season.

 Pictured are: Coach Rich Thompson (back row), Felix Fenton, Raekwon Hall, DaSean Bradley, Zack Howard, Daniel Davis, Jason Watkins, Nathaniel Gearherdt, Coach Paul Brumfield (front row) Dyelan Youngblood, Conner Kelley, Mike McKay, Ian Waggoner. Congratulations to the coaches, players, parents  and fans for an outstanding season!

Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase is Loaded

Once again, the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase is stacked with young talent! As a reminder, the showcase is scheduled for Sunday March 3^rd, and will be held at Central Crossing HS located at 4500 Big Run Road South in Grove City, Ohio. Registration will open at 7:30am, and players and showcase coaches should plan to arrive no later than 8:30am. There will be a coaches meeting at 8:45 in the main game. We will be having a guest speaker from the NCAA at 9:00am, and the games will tip off around 9:30am.

Every player must be fully paid up with completed registration forms before they can receive their jersey. If you have not already done so, please complete the attached registration forms and be prepared to submit them at the registration table when you arrive. Players should wear black shorts.

Below is a link to the INITIAL DRAFT of the game schedule, team assignment and rosters. It is an INITIAL DRAFT only, because there WILL be changes between now and Sunday. I’m posting this information early for your review, and so I can clean up any mistakes (i.e., name spelling errors, grade division errors, scheduling errors, ect) in advance of the showcase.  Please review all of the information very carefully and email me with any changes I need to make.

If your son/player’s name is not listed and you have paid the registration fee contact me ASAP. Also, if your son/player’s name is listed and he will not be attending, please let me know as soon as possible so I can free up the spot. Make sure you check back on the website before you leave home so you can review the updates. Also, because not every person on the list has paid, there may be some additional spots available if payment is not received by Friday at 5:00pm. I hope your son/player is excited about the event; I know we are!!

Rob Taylor

Director

614-203-2929

Ohio Select Sits Atop NYBL’s Power 24

Today, the NYBL released their “Power 24 Pre-Season Team Rankings” of the 24 teams that will be participating in the inaugural season of the NYBL. At the top of the list is DeMarko Bradley’s Ohio Select squad, which is comprised of kids from last year’s All-Ohio Red and All-Ohio Purple teams. The NYBL will be updating the rankings after each of the 3 sessions, including a final ranking at the conclusion of the NYBL Finals in Columbus, Ohio in June.

The pre-season rankings were compiled by committee, and are based primarily on how teams finished in the AAU Nationals and other major tournaments last year. With so many teams combining and picking up new kids for this year, it’s very difficult to determine with certainty who the top teams are, so the list represents some speculation based on what is known about teams at this early stage.

It should be noted, although there are teams listed at the bottom of the of the Power 24, those teams still represent some of the top teams in the country, and will be given credit as such when broader, more national rankings are released later in the season by the various media outlets. The rest of the top 10 includes: South Carolina Hornets, Carolina Preps (NC), Arizona Monsoon, Southern Stampede (GA), Metrolina Hovac (NC), Team Izod/Sports U (NJ), E1T1/Team Stat (FL), Arkansas Solderz, and E.T.U. Select (MD). For a complete list of the Power 24, click on the link below.

NYBL Power 24 Pre-Season Team Rankings
NYBL Official Website
NYBL Page

AIMS Captures City League Championship

AIMS MS  City League Championship

AIMS (Arts Impact Middle School) defeated Africentric Early College 56-45 to capture the  7^th/8^th grade Championship on Wednesday night at Linden McKinley High School. AIMS went 18-1 on the season to capture the Columbus City League Championship. Deondre Bowman (8th) and Donovan Lewis (8th)  proved to be too much for the Nubians pouring in 19 and 17 points, respectively. Henry Howell came off the bench to provide key minutes and added 8 points. Other starters included Tripp Hopkins (7th), Jaylen Braxton (8th) and Tyshawn Moore (8th) helped control the game from the outside while providing solid defense for the Panthers.

Pictured:

Starters: Jaylen Braxton (8th), Tripp Hopkins (7th), Deondre Bowman (8th), Tyshawn Moore (8th), Donovan Lewis (8th), Henry Howell (8th). Reserves: Eichael Johnson (7th), Teon Jennings (7th), Theron Jennings (7th), Zion Parham (8th), Devyn Whitlow (8th), Datrey Long (7th), Jermon Goins (8th). Coaches: Kenneth Windhan & Porter Boyd.

NYBL's Metrolina Havoc Starts Season Strong

Metrolina Havoc-Battle of the Best Champs

In NYBL news, the Metrolina Havoc 6^th grade team won their 1^st tournament of the 2013 AAU season at the Battle of the Best tournament held in Concord, NC at the Carolina Courts facility.  The Havoc played up in the 7^th grade division finishing 4-0 and defeating the Sharpshooters in the championship game by a score 49-41.  Earlier wins were against QCAA Blue during the semi-finals, and pool wins against the CB Spiders and Asheville Stars.  Standout players during the tournament included: Chandler Speight, Myles Pierre and Anthony Wright.

Speight had the hot hand from the 3 point line all tournament long as evidenced by his four 3’s in the Championship game.  Myles Pierre dominated the game with his athleticism, inside play, rebounding and defensive presence.  Anthony Wright, a sleeper, contributed very solidly off the bench by providing additional scoring in the post.  Jalen Barr was his usual presence on the defensive end with numerous steals, ball pressures and his trademark lock down defense on the opposing team’s best players.

Bearcats Complete Perfect Season

Congratulations to the Spencerville Bearcats for completing a perfect 18-0 season, including a NWC championship. Key players for Spencerville included Dak Prichard, Jarius Ward and Bailey and Griffen Croft. Of note is the fact that the starting players are all over 6’1 tall. All of the above key players will be participating in the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase on March 3^rd.

Murphy AC Grabs League Title

Murphy AC -TNBA Winter League Champs

Kevin Jackson’s 6^th grade Murphy AC squad soundly defeated The Truth Basketball Club 51-21 to capture the championship of TNBA’s Winter League at the Euclid Sports Plant in Euclid tonight. According to Jackson, “suffocating defense” and a “total team effort” accounted for the lopsided win. Earlier in the day, in the semi-final round, Murphy AC cruised by the Bedford Raiders (79-39).

Standout performers included Shamaar Morrow, Tevin Jackson, Alfonzo Gaffney and Darius Moss Jr. There is not much time to savor the victory, as Jackson’s team will compete in TNBA 2^nd winter league session which starts next week, but this time, his team will be competing in the 7^th/8^th grade division.  “We start league play next week to get ready for the NYBL,” said Jackson. Congratulations to the Murphy AC players and parents for a fantastic winter run.  Also, look for the Murphy AC players to be participating in the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase in a couple of weeks.

Jaguars Capture Crown

Hilliard Memorial Jaguars-7th Grade Team

In addition to completing a perfect 18-0 season, Hilliard Memorial Middle School’s 7th grade Jaguars team defeated Pickerington Lakeview 58-52 in double overtime last Saturday to capture the title of the Dublin Invitational. Leading scorers in the game were Isaiah Speelman (20) and Braden Norris (16). As many of you know, Speelman has established himself as one of the top post prospects in the state (see highlight video), and he was an all-star performer at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase last September. Also, Norris was one of the top guards on the travel circuit last season.

The entire Jaguars roster includes: Back Row - From Left - Clay Strausbaugh, Marlyn Hill, Coach John Simms, Jackson Beard, Isaiah Winters, Tyler Welch, Joey Monette, Kory Taylor, Isaiah Speelman, Jack Rondy, Isaac Green. Front Row - Adam McCardle, Braden Norris, Jaret Lundy and Jacob Kirk.Congratulations to the Jaguars for a great season!

Shamrocks Finish Season Undefeated

Dublin Sells 8th Grade Team

Congratulations to Coach Jay Ohlinger and Dublin Sells’ 8^th grade squad for completing a perfect 19-0 season and claiming the championship of Hilliard 2013 Martin Memorial Basketball Tournament last Saturday. In the championship game, Dublin defeated Westerville’s Walnut Springs Middle School 42-29 to grab the title.

For the season, the Shamrocks averaged an impressive 50 points per game. It should be noted that the Shamrocks also went undefeated last year as well. The Shamrocks’ roster includes: Chris Mollica, Matt Kiley, Michael Matthews, Drew Ponton, Nate Robinson, Casey Kirk, Antoine Smith, Ibn Williamson, Joe Kendrick, Nick Mollica, Cole Tonucci & Tyquan Henderson (All-Tournament Team in bold).