For about 15 years, the Buckeye Prep Invitational Tournament
has attracted a number of talented teams from around the country. When the longstanding
tourney tips off at Central Crossing HS in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, 145 teams at
7 sites will compete for the coveted championship.
In the high school divisions, the Ohio Hoopsters are well
represented, as is All-Ohio, Hidden Gems, SMAC, Dayton Nets and db Hoops. I’ve
heard some good things about VJ Sports (2015) in terms of talent, but Coach
Tony Laveneder-coached teams play hard and are always tough to beat. Ohio
Varsity will be in the house and are always a tough out. Akron’s King of Court
is always full of talent, as are the Dayton Nets. Hidden Gems has made a
serious statement with 19 total teams entered into the tournament, many of
which can make a run.
The field for the 8th grade division is the
largest with 27 teams. The favorites include the Queen City Prophets, Ohio
Basketball Club, SMAC U, Shinning Stars and the Ohio Hoopsters. These handful
of teams are very familiar with each other, as they have battled on a regular
basis over the past couple of years. Also, with his full roster of players,
Coach Ed Lyshe’s Buckeye Prep Team could be a sleeper.
The 7th grade division is lead by the
Indiana-based Team Teague and Atlanta’s CMA.
Both teams are returning from last year and could match up in the
championship game. The Ohio Hoopsters Elite has the squad to win it all, but
the Ohio Basketball Club could also get it done, as could SMAC Showtime. This could be the most competitive division in
the event.
The Columbus-based Mid-Ohio Pumas are the favorites to take
the 6th grade crown, while Team Teague could get the nod as
well. OBC/Dayton Swish, Team Toledo,
SMAC Primetime, Hard Work and All-Ohio Red could get on a roll and pull an
upset. Pool DD is loaded with Team Teague, OBC/Dayton Swish and Team Toledo.
This pool is going to be a dogfight, and somebody is going home early!
The Mid-Ohio Pumas, Team Teague and the Ohio Basketball Club
are the front-runners in the 5th grade divisions, but Coach Aaron
Brown’s Buckeye Prep team has the horses to make the championship game. Team
Teague has the best chance to take the 4th grade division. Look for daily
recaps and photo galleries of this event.
Im calling for SWO Elite to win the 7th grade division. They are stacked
ReplyDeleteOhio varsity 17u gets no love? More fuel to the fire
ReplyDeleteWhat is the definition of a 7th grade "stacked" team? I mean no disrespect, but the only stacked 7th grade team I've seen play is that AOR team. If you don't have those players, then your 7th grade aau team is far from being stacked.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have 12 players on your roster, comprised of the best players in Cincinnati, including a guard listed by this website as one of the best guards in the state (Joey Edmonds) and you have 7 kids who are 6' or taller who can almost all handle the ball and shoot the ball, I would consider that stacked. I think their play will speak for itself. Any updates?
ReplyDeleteThe best 7th grade players from Cincinnati play for AOR...... Bradley Jr, Payne, Tribble Jr, and Stringer. Edmunds is one hell of a player, exceptional talent, and he use to run with these guys when they were AOP, along with McBride. AOR would probably beat this team by 25 points or more. Doesn't matter how big you are, can these guys play? Could they handle the relentless pressure of AOR, and I do mean "pressure"!
DeleteI would venture to say there are more than 4 or 5 good players in Cincinnati. I have seen them hang 100 on teams twice already. I'll be interested to hear how they fared against SMAC last night.
DeleteKeep it real when Joey played with AOP he was the best guard on that team. We all know Bradley on that AOR team because his dad is the coach does anyone really thinks Bradley is better then Joey, even Tribble not better then Joey. Francis makes all them kids look good how much playing time is Damarco giving his own son on that team he will never start and get the playing time to get better on that team..Damarco ran from playing AOR trying to join them that was the best thing going on AOP and AOR playing each other.
DeleteSWO Elite ended up going 3-0 in pool play and losing to Team Teague in the Elite 8. They only had 7 players for the tournament due to baseball conflicts. Edmonds and their best post player didnt play. Not saying they are going to beat AOR, just that they are probably one of the best few teams in the State
DeleteI have no affiliation with SWO Elite, I have just seen them play a few times. Are they on AOR's level? Probably not, but we will likely find out at State in May.
ReplyDeleteWho ever reading this coach Bradley.is a animal when it comes to putting that work in he learned from the best.coach Mitch. His work outs.coachen.is outstanding.you got to be a hater.lil marko.jr.can play he got great court vision. He get to the rack.he put countless hours in the gym.not just him.the Taft camp.aor.camp.he gets down.you mad because you can't be part of this movement.coach.brad a beast.all he do is skillen.and drillen.yes sir.and a parent. Who son play big boy ball at Taft.
ReplyDeleteDrills and skills camps has nothing to do with coaching a team and winning. I believe you get the best out of a player with playing time lets be real sitting the bench and playing behind Francis he want get better trust me during crunch time who will be on the floor lil Bradley or Francis at the PG spot. Not hating that's real talk.
DeleteNobody plays behind anybody on AOR. Everybody gets their minutes. 5 in 5 out! These 10 kids on this team don't actually get better when they blaze teams by 30 or more points, they have the unique advantage of practicing against the 10 best kids in Ohio every practice. Their 5 on 5 practices are far more intense and competitive than any team they may face!
DeleteIts nothing but hate.you are a hater that's it.that's all.joey plays baseball he's good but these other kids are better when you put work in all year around.coach brad can coach.he almost took a team to state.when no one thought Taft was gone do anything.I think coachen.got them there.
ReplyDeleteAOR is 30 or more PTS better then any 7th grade team in ohio. PERIOD.
ReplyDeleteI believe they would beat all the 8th grade teams too believe it or not
You need to wake up they would beat some of the 8th grade teams not all of them. Any way most of them should be in the 8th grade.
DeleteSuccess breeds envy, and envy materializes into jealousy! Coach Bradley is one of the best coaches in the country, ask Coach Francis, do you think he would allow someone to teach and train his son Jeremiah if he wasn't qualified? Jeremiah and Lil Marco are teammates that compete everyday in practice and make each other better! All the players on AOR make each other better, there is not one single kid on that team that does not contribute to the success of that team. There are no starters on AOR 7th, there are 10 role players that all have a specific job to do, and they do it well! That's why they crush teams, everybody does their job! So hating on lil Marco won't change anything, comparing Joey Edmonds to anyone on this team won't change anything, and trying to divide these teammates by saying one backs up the other won't work either! AOR 7th will dismantle any 7th grade team in the state of Ohio by 40 points or better, and probably any 8th grade team in Ohio as well! They hate Lebron cause he's great...... no middle school team plays harder than AOR!
DeleteOnce again they will beat some of the 8th grade teams but they will not be the top 5 teams in the 8th grade.
DeleteWho would be considered the top 5 eighth grade teams, cause AOR 7th just beat AOR 8th in the ship of Watson's tournament yesterday.
DeleteAnd you disrespectfull.do you got any kids you know dam well these youngster.can go. And by the way.coach brad do you baby.and do this shit big.bulldog allday.breed.winners.
ReplyDeleteWho won the 6th grade division at the Solon cage classic
ReplyDeleteDunkLikeABeast.com
ReplyDeleteI want to say thank to you people for this great and helpful info. Thanks!!!