The Basketball Spotlight Atlantic City Showcase is closed. We would like to thank all the teams that showed early interest in this event. The teams listed below will be the squads participating in this event. The schedule will be posted shortly.
14U Division
1. Team Final 13's
2. Connecticut Basketball Club
3. Montegomery County Blue
4. Above and Beyond
5. Team NJ ABC
6. Showtime All Stars
7. Philly Aztecs
8. Future Players
9. Boston Spartans
10. Team MVP
11. Westchester Hawks
12. Tri City Warriors
13U Division
1. Gauchos
2. Linden Ballers
3. Philly Aztecs
4. Philly Triple Threat
5. Connecticut Basketball Club
6. Team MVP
7. Showtime All Stars (NC)
8. The City
9. Staten Island Ironmen
10. Maryland Bulls
11. Albany Dream Team
12. Pure Basketball 13. Future Players14. South Jersey Blitz
15. Montegomery County
16. Absecon Devils
12U Division
1. Team Battle
2. New Heights NYC
3. Philly Triple Threat
4. Playtime Panthers
5. Sam Cassell All Stars
6. CT Elite
7. Staten Island Ironmen
8. Boston Spartans
9. F.A.C.E.S.
10.Future Players
11. Annandale Boys & Girls Club
12. Flash Basketball13. South County Elite14. Baltimore Panthers15. Delaware Finest Stars16 Team Scan
11U Division
1. Team Battle
2. Playtime Panthers
3. Team Final (Blue)
4. Team NJ ABC
5. Connecticut Basketball Club
6. Philly Triple Threat
7. CT Elite
8. F.A.C.E.S. 9. Long Island Lightning10. Team MVP11. Team Nelson12. World Team Elite
10U Division
1. Maryland Spartans
2. Playtime Panthers
3. Connecticut Basketball Club
4. Riverside Hawks
5. Team NJ ABC
6. Natural Ballers
7. Fastbreak Basketball
8. Long Island Lightning
Sometimes a player grows on you over a weekend. I experienced that with Roderick Caldwell of the Cincinnati Lakers. At first glance Caldwell appeared to be a decent point guard but by Sunday night he had me watching his every move. He’s not the quickest guard in the world but his savvy play and jump shot reminds me of BJ Armstrong during his days at the University of Iowa (You Tube Him). I got a chance to chat with Roderick and pick his brain. Here’s our One on One.
One On One
BS: What school do you attend?
RC: Westwood Elementary School (Dayton, Ohio)
BS: Who’s your favorite player?
RC: Allen Iverson because he’s quick and understands the game.
BS: What’s the strongest part of your game?
RC: I would have to say my jump shot.
BS: What part of your game needs the most improvement?
RC: I would have to say my speed and agility.
BS: If you could select any college right now, where would you go?
RC: Ohio State, I like their colors and their basketball program.
BS: Who’s your favorite rapper?
RC: LiL Wayne, he’s just the hottest right now.
BS: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would you select?
RC: Chris Paul because I would ask him to teach me some of his moves.
BS: What do you do when you are not playing basketball?
RC: Play outside with my friends.
BS: What are your favorite sneakers?
RC: Jordan’s of course.
Name: Dale “DJ” Tyree
AAU Team: All Ohio Red
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2016
Breakdown: It’s always a joy to watch a point guard with a flashy handle but still knows how to produce. Tyree showed me that this weekend at the Best Of The Best Showcase. He handle is crazy and he loves putting on a little show for the spectators. Tyree also has a decent looking jumper and shows the knack to score. Defenders tape your ankles when guarding this kid.
Korie Lucious, Mike Melton and Tyreke Evans (2004 Primetime Shootout)Before Tyreke Evans was in quest of the NBA Rookie of the Year and Korie Lucious was nailing buzzer beaters sending Michigan State to the Sweet 16. We were chilling at the Primetime Shootout. Wow I’m getting old. Go get them boys. Congrats on the success. Now Basketball Spotlight is looking for the Next Stars.Korie Lucious Buzzer Beater
Tyreke Evans Rookie Of The Year Highlights
Every coach loves to have a post player that can score. Therefore the coach for Ohio Warriors should be smiling ear to ear to have Nick Ward. Ward is a southpaw post player with the interior scoring ability of a young Sam Perkins. In his final game of the Best Of The Best Showcase he pumped in 31 points a tough loss. We got a chance to sit down and talk to Nick before he left the building. Here’s our One on One.
One On One
BS: What school do you attend?
NW: Gahanna Middle School outside of Columbus, Ohio.
BS: Who’s your favorite player?
NW: Kevin Garnett because he’s a post player like me and a very hard worker.
BS: What’s the strongest part of your game?
NW: My post moves and rebounding.
BS: If you could pick a college tomorrow where would you go?NW: North Carolina, because my mom loves the school.
BS: What part of your game needs the most improvement?
NW: I would say my outside shooting.
BS: Who’s your favorite rapper?
NW: LiL Wayne, he’s just the best.
BS: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would you select?
NW: Lebron James because he’s a great player and role model.
Name: Corry Long
AAU Team: Elite Cavaliers
Position: Combo Guard
Class: 2017
Breakdown: In a couple of years this name should become big in Ohio. Corry is a lengthy guard with ball handling and scoring ability. I got a chance to see show his stuff against the Detroit Showtime Select. He didn’t have a huge scoring game but you can see the potential oozing from his veins.
Name: Matthew Morgan
AAU Team: QCAA Force (North Carolina)
Position: Combo Guard
Class: 2016
Breakdown: Morgan plays alongside 6’9 Raekwon Long. During their quarterfinal match up with D One Greyhounds he led the team in scoring while getting to the rack at will. He handles the rock with both hands and has good court vision for a player his age. Keep an eye on this kid if you are in the North Carolina area.
Name: Marcus Barton
AAU Team: Elite Cavaliers
Position: Point Guard
Class: 2017
Breakdown: I checked out Marcus during their semifinal game against Detroit Showtime Select. His team took a tough loss but this youngster brought his game. Barton scored driving to the cup and dropping in the pull up. I love his confidence and the way he bangs on his heart after making a big play. You have to love this kid’s swagger.
Being fundamentally sound is one of the best attributes for a player today. Sometimes it can determine if a player can help his team win a game or gain himself a scholarship. Stephen Sosa of Texas understands this and displays this quality of the floor. I got a chance to check out Stephen in Ohio at the Best Of The Best Showcase and used his fundamentals to punish opponents. I got a chance to sit down with him and pick his mind a little. Here’s our One On One!
One On One
BS: What school do you attend?
SS: Hill Elementary School (Austin, Texas)
BS: Who is your favorite player?
SS: Dwight Howard because he plays inside like me. I try to pattern my game after his.
BS: What’s the strongest part of your game?
SS: On the post while using my up and under move.
BS: What part of your game do you feel needs a little improvement?
SS: I feel I can be a little more aggressive at times.
BS: If you could go to college tomorrow what school would you select?
SS: University of Texas because I love their program.
BS: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would you pick?
SS: Lebron James because I think he’s the best in the NBA.
Ron Hicks the coach for the Elite Cavaliers is use to success on the basketball court. His Elite Cavaliers squad formerly the Cincinnati Knights has finished in the Top 3 nationally (including 2 National titles) the last four years. We got a chance to sit down with Hicks at the Elite Cavaliers tourney in Ohio to get his thoughts about his program. Here’s Coach’s Corner:
BS: How did your program begin?
RH: In 2004 we took a bunch of 2nd Graders together to form an elite basketball program.
BS: What is the mission of your program?
RH: Well we want to give the players a chance to play basketball on a high level and hopefully get a scholarship. We also want to teach life skills through basketball.
BS: Talk a little about your team’s success?
RH: Well since we started we have won two nationals titles and never finished lower than #3 in the country.
BS: What prompt the move from the Cincinnati Knights?
RH: I felt it was time to move into a different direction and have a new beginning.
BS: Having so much early success, how do you keep your kids motivated?
RH: They are self driven and they know we always have a target on our backs. We understand that everyone will give us their best game.
BS: What’s your most memorable moment?
RH: When we won the national title last summer. Our opponents were bigger and we had to overcome so much.
BS: Who are your biggest rivals?
RH: The Cincinnati Lakers by far.
BS: What teams do you look forward to playing this year?
RH: We want the Memphis War Eagles, Atlanta Celtics and Wisconsin Playground Warriors.
BS: Thanks for your time Ron.
RH: Okay Mike.
Raekwon Long QCAA AAU (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Any 6’9 basketball player will garner attention wants they step into the gym but when they are playing 12U AAU they command full attention. Meet Raekwon Long of Charlotte, North Carolina. Long plays for the QCAA AAU squad while standing 6’9 and weighing 230 pounds. As you could imagine Raekwon is still developing on the floor but he’s potential is scary. His coach Corey Baker has taken the challenge of developing this gentle giant. “This is his first year playing and right now we have him a big man coach and personal trainer. He’s teaching Raekwon to keep the ball high and use proper footwork” Baker said.
On this level Raekwon can block shots, rebound and score without leaving his feet. Once he gets stronger and puts everything together we might be looking at the next Shaq. Baker also believes he has a bright future.”Right now he wears a size 20 shoe and the doctors have charted him to grow at least 7’5” Baker finished. Hopefully we can get Long and his team up to a Basketball Spotlight event soon.
Stephen Sosa (Full Court Athletes, Texas)
The Elite Cavaliers Best Of The Best Showcase had plenty of talent. Basketball Spotlight was in the building and we decided to break our reports down by position. We will begin with the forwards that impressed us on Day 1.
Day 1 Top Performers (Forwards)
Stephen Sosa (Full Court Athletes, Texas)- It will be hard to find another post player more fundamentally sound than Sosa. This kid loves using the up and under move while kissing the rock off the glass. He also has great touch facing the basket. In their showdown with the Elite Cavaliers he carried the squad as long as he could. He put in major work today.
Logan Ray (Full Court Athletes, Texas)- Sosa’s teammate Logan loves hitting the boards on the weak side and finishing in transition. He seems to have long limbs, which means a growth spurt will be coming soon. I like his skill set and how he hammers the boards. Look for him to have a bright future. 
Courtney Lark (Rytes Warriors, Texas)- Lark is a quick athlete that plays the passing lanes and loves to get out in the open floor. He stepped his game up against the Cincinnati Lakers by being active inside and marching to the charity stripe. He’s very efficient shooting free throws.
Damion Blythe (Cincinnati Lakers, Ohio)- Blythe does all the dirty work inside for the Lakers. He played good interior defense, hit the glass and scored on put backs. Other players might get the lime light but his play is needed for them to be successful. 
Leon Davis (Elite Cavaliers, Ohio)- Davis exploded to the hole for buckets in the 2nd half against the FC Athletes. I like his ball handling for his size and his ability to create off the bounce. He’s playing the forward spot on this level but will transform to a guard in the near future.
Nick Ward (Ohio Warriors)- The southpaw went to work against Detroit Showtime. He caught the rock either on the high post or low blocks and scored with ease. He’s nimble on his feet and knows how to maneuver around shot blockers. This kid can flat out score. 
Anthony Dockery (Prep Hoyas, Ohio)- Dockery was an animal on the glass and scoring inside. He powered his way to the cup in transition and established post position in the half court set. He’s tough to handle on this level but he will have to develop his outside shot and ball handling soon.
James Manns (SCAA Buckeyes, Ohio)- Manns upside seems to be tremendous. He’s currently standing about 6’4 and has the lanky build. He alters shots when playing post defense and can score in the lane. What really impressed me was his willingness to handle the rock. He might be a big time wing one day. 
Zach Warden (Charleston Cavaliers, Ohio)- Warden’s length helps him impact the game on both ends. He alters shots and snatches rebounds before others can grab them. He also has good touch around the cup.
