7th Grade AAU Nationals Tips Off Today

The first round of AAU Nationals get under way today in Memphis, Tennessee, as 11 Ohio- based teams compete for either D-I and D-II nationals championships. The Ohio Hoopsters, Team Excel, Murphy AC, King James Shooting Stars, SMACU, All-Ohio Red are all competing for D-I title, while Shining Stars, Dayton Metro, Buckeye Prep, Truth Basketball and Team Toledo will battle for the D-II crown.

The Ohio Hoopsters, the hottest team in the state, and Buckeye Prep’s newest #1 ranked team in the state after their win at our Summer Showdown a few weeks ago, will have a tough test right out of the gate, as they will face off against the Spiece Ky Gators, one of the top 7^th grade teams in the country at 2:20pm. The #4 seeded Team Excel has been playing some great basketball as of late and will open their national championship bid at 10:20am against the #1 seeded Team Ramey Basketball. From what I understand, Team Ramey is a very good team.

Kevin Jackson’s Murphy AC Squad is seeded 4^th in their pool and will play the first seeded N.O Elite Navy at 10:20am. Jackson rolled into Memphis with an upgraded roster, including the addition of Anthony Johnson, formally of SMAC U, and the return of Tyree Harris who came back over from King James.  Gene Ready’s SMAC team upgraded as well, as Sincere Carry is back on the team, having left King James and returned home if you will. SMAC U will tip it up against the #1 seeded Team United at 11:40am.

With the loss of 2 key players right before the nationals, one of which was their starting PG; the King James Shooting Stars may have a long week ahead of them! Unfortunately for King James, they have to play DC Assault, the overall #1 seed in the entire tournament on Monday at 2:20pm. That could be a tough one folks! Leading up to the nationals All-Ohio Red had been playing some great basketball and they may be peaking at just the right time. They will face Basketball U 13 Black at 10:20am on Monday.

On the D-II side; the Shining Stars are playing as a Kentucky team, are seeded 2^nd in their pool, and will face the Virginia Havoc at 3:40 on Monday. Chuck Painter’s Dayton Metro team is in Memphis without his newly acquired guards from the Dayton Nets, DeShan Parker and Darious Quisenberry, neither of whom made the trip. Seeded #1 in their pool, Metro will play the Randallstown R. Rebels at 3:30pm. Ed Lyshe’s Buckeye Prep squad is also seeded #1 in their pool, and will start their campaign at at2:20pm against the Georgia Hawks.  Team Toledo is seeded first in their pool and will play Mass Elite at 5:00pm on Monday. Truth Basketball Club, seeded second, faces Pure Basketball at 5:00pm

Although there are a lot of Ohio teams here in Memphis, I will do my best to provide daily coverage of as many teams as possible, so continue to check back for pictures and reports.  Good luck to all the teams as they seek to bring home a national championship and to represent the great state of Ohio!