Ohio Teams Excel at AAU Nationals

Ohio Buldogs-9th Place U-14 AAU Nationals

For several years now, Ohio’s reputation as a basketball hotbed has been solidified.  Case in point, last week at the U-14 AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL, 3 Ohio-based teams made impressive runs at a national title.  Chris Anthony’s Ohio Bulldogs and Coach Justin Ferguson’s Rebels faced off several times this season in local tournaments (finished 2-2), but little did they know they would eventually face off one last time in a placement game at the AAU Nationals.  Last Saturday, the 2 teams hooked up in the 9^th/10^th place game, virtually guaranteeing that Ohio would have two top 10 national teams by the end of the day. The Bulldogs would get the 56-43 win and place 9^th, while the Rebels would cap an impressive season with a 10^th place finish at the Nationals. 

“The team played hard, executed, and played as good as they have all season,” said Anthony. “They [Bulldogs] came together, played as a group, and I’m so proud of them,” continued Anthony.  According to Anthony, Von Cameron Davis was the driving force behind the Bulldogs’ success. “He [Davis] dominated.  He had two 30-point games and a buzzer beater. He led the team in rebounding; he did everything,” offered Anthony. Coach Anthony was also impressed with the play of Quan Magwood, CJ Anthony, Marcus Johnson and Dominiq Penn. For the season, the Bulldogs compiled an impressive 62-9 overall record!

The Rebels-10th Place Finish U-14 AAU Nationals

According to Coach Ferguson, Garvin Clarke, Nick Ferguson and Dakota Cochran were the mainstays for the weeklong tournament. Although they did not place, Coach Eddie Norrils’ Team Toledo squad would also represent the Buckeye State well with a Sweet Sixteen run at the same nationals. It’s important to note that all 3 coaches commented on the fact that the players, parents and coaching staffs of each of the teams showed a tremendous amount of statewide unity and support for each other during the weeklong event. Congrats to all of the players, coaches and players for reppin Ohio Basketball!