NYBL Session #3 Day One Note

W. Moore, RJ Barrett, B. Koprovica, M. Jones & B. Sanders

Session #3 of the 2014 National Youth Basketball League (NYBL) season tipped off at the beautiful Hoops Louisville facility in Louisville, KY on Saturday, and as is customary for the NYBL, there were some compelling match-ups, unexpected upsets and standout individual performances. With the championship session scheduled to tip off in Columbus in 3 weeks, coaches, players and parents are really starting to consider seeding as they compete this weekend.

In terms of storylines, there were several undefeated teams; several teams that are taking more losses than they are accustomed to, and teams that are just grinding it out trying to stay relevant and get better.  In terms of the big dogs, Team CP3 went 3-0 on Saturday against some quality teams like George Hill (62-59), Butler Elite (65-49) and Team Teague (66-43). So far this season, CP3 has played most of the top teams, are 12-1 overall, and still one of the favorites to win it all in Columbus

Team Florida has become a contender for the rings and their undefeated mark on Saturday supports that assertion. It took a Balsa Koprovica buzzer beater bucket to get the Memphis War Eagles (60-59) and to remain perfect, but Florida is playing some really good basketball right now. Their wins came against the Lexington Hustle (65-54), Memphis War Eagles and Memphis Preps (69-52). We know two things about Team Florida, Bryan Sanders is the anchor of that team and Koprovica is the real deal.  Both players shined on Saturday. Case in point, Koprovica dropped 33 points in their opening game against the Hustle, and Sanders had 21 points against Memphis.

The Northern Kings also had a lot of success and added 3 more wins to their resume on Saturday. The Canada based team notched wins against the Charlotte Rivals (72-59), Reach Higher Kings (65-57) and the Academy Prep Hawks (69-59). The War Eagles sit 2-1 after Saturday’s action with wins over Upstate Elite (74-53) and Team Rio (60-55), and a loss against Team Florida (60-59). A shout out to Team Takeover for their 3-0 finish on Saturday. Takeover has played an aggressive schedule and has won more than they have lost.

Team Teague is only a fill-in team this weekend, but they confirmed they are still one of the better teams in the country with a big win over the Brampton Warriors at the buzzer

(76-73), Team Teague also got a convincing victory over TNBC (94-78) before stumbling against Team CP3 (66-43).

Butler Elite was respectable yesterday, finishing 2-1. They beat Carolina Chaos (75-63) and KYA Magic (58-49) and their lone loss was to CP3 (65-49).  The Brampton Warriors finished with 2 wins and 1 loss. They beat Team United (68-50) and Carolina Chaos (62-52), but lost to Team Teague at the buzzer (76-73). Team Rio got 2 wins and a single loss on Saturday.  Their wins came against Texas Express (69-32) and Arkansas Soldierz (65-44), and the loss was at the hands of the Memphis War Eagles (60-55). Also at 2-1 were DC Assault, 6^th Man Warriors, Academy Prep Hawks, Upstate Elite, TNBC and the Reach Higher Kings.

Texas Express’ decline continued on opening day with an uncharacteristic 0-3 record.   Josh Woodson’s team is unaccustomed to loosing 3 games in a season, let alone in one weekend. Texas took L’s against Team Rio (69-32), Team Takeover (58-54) and Upstate Elite (56-45). It doesn’t get any easier for Texas, as their opening game on Sunday morning is against Team Florida.

George Hill returned to NYBL action after missing Atlanta to participate in their AAU state qualifier. Unfortunately, the welcome home mat was not rolled out, as George Hill finished 2-2 on the day. Their losses came at the hands of Team CP3 (62-59) and Team United (78-77), but they got by the Charlotte Rivals (84-36) and the 6^th Man Warriors (76-57).

Some of the individual standouts on day one include: Balsa Koprovica (Team Florida), Bryan Sanders (Team Florida), Korbin Spencer (Team Teague), Joe Cooper (Memphis War Eagles), Wendell Moore (Team CP3), Rowan Barrett Jr, (Brampton Warriors), Chris Hinton (Reach Higher Kings), Dominc Nealy (DC Assault), Jay Heath (Team Takeover), Kyle Rode (George Hill), Tyrese Maxey (Texas Express Elite), Chris Harris Jr. (Texas express), Sidney Curry (George Hill), Myles Pierre (Charlotte Royals), Isaiah Moseley (DC United), Joe Jones (Upstate Elite), Mikeal Jones (Team Rio), Bryan Antoine (Team Rio), Daniel Scott (Upstate Elite), Evan Johnson (Carolina Chaos), Chas Gwyn (Team CP3), Elliott Harris (Arkansas Warriors), Dexter Shouse (George Hill), Elijah Hicks (6^th Man Warriors), JC Tharrington (Team United), and Branton McCrary (Arkansas Soldierz).

S. Morrow, Z. Harmon, K. Walker, J. Turner & C. Harris

In the 6^th grade division, the juggernaut Oakland Solders finished 3-0 on Saturday, but had to hold off Flints Finest (66-53) and Mansfield Cavs to stay perfect (77-72). Their other win came against the Mississauga Knights (54-35). The God First Crusaders (GFC), continue to improve and a 3-0 finish solidifies their progress. GFC notched wins against the Brampton Warriors (66-45), Mansfield Cavs (64-55) and Flints Finest 62-51).

The Worldwide Wildcats are putting together a solid session and are undefeated heading into Sunday, their wins came against the Leesburg Basketball Club (61-60), Go Hard in The Paint (59-37), and Team Glory (58-43).

Enplay Elite deserves some love based on their impressive 3-0 mark after day one. The Nashville based squad took down Mississauga Knights (49-30), Brampton Warriors (50-37) and Flints Finest (45-34). Enplay has not got much ink, but keep an eye on this team.

Saturday 2-1 teams include CBC Elite, Banneker Kings and Team Glory. Some of the kids that caught my eye include Shemar Morrow (Oakland Solders), Zion Harmon (Team Glory), Chuck Harris (Leesburh Bball Club), Jacarrel Turner (Worldwide Wildcats), Justin Powell (Worldwide Wildcats), Josh Smith (Worldwide Wildcats) and Jordan McPhatter (CBC Elite). If Sunday is anything like what went down on Saturday, we are in for a treat. Stay tuned!