Basketball Spotlight MDC 8th Grade Orange Division Championship Recap: Lightning Strikes In Neptune!

NY Lightning

In the battle of the Nike programs NY Lightning pulled away in the second half to defeat Team Final 67-57 to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 8th Grade Orange Division Championship. Congrats to both teams for making it to the finals and to the NY Lightning for winning it all.

Mr. Memorial Day: Posh Alexander Alexander aggressive style earned him the name “Baby Westbrook”. He got into the lane with ease and was very explosive in the open floor. He showed some above the rim prowess by throwing down two dunks over the weekend. He finished with 21 points in the championship game.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 8th Grade Blue Division Championship Recap: NX Level Rises To The Top!

NX Level 

NX Level continued their dominant weekend by defeating MSU Skyliners 65-42 to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 8th Grade Blue Division Championship. Congratulations to both teams for making it to the finals and NX Level for winning the championship.

Mr. Memorial Day: Tommy Porter Porter used his energetic play to get things done for NX Level this weekend. He plays both ends of the floor and knows how to make plays. He was a major reason for his team’s success.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 7th Grade Orange Division Championship Recap: NY Lightning Wins The Gold Ball!

NY Lightning 7th Grade

In the Big Apple battle NY Lightning pulled away from the Brooklyn Rens 59-33 to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 7th Grade Orange Division Championship. Congrats to both teams for making the finals and to the NY Lightning for bringing home the title.

Mr. Memorial Day: Quron Zene Jr. Zene was a load to stop all weekend. He was a beast inside and even nailed a trey ball in the finals where he finished with 28 points. It was difficult at all to select him for MVP. He punished defenders in the paint all weekend.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 7th Grade Blue Division Championship Recap: Philly Triple Threat Cruises To Crown!

Philly Triple Threat

Philly Triple Threat flexed their muscles as they ran past NJ Shore Shots 53-28 to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 7th Grade Blue Division Championship. Congratulations to both teams for making the finals and to Philly Triple Threat for winning it all.

Mr. Memorial Day: Marvin Harrison Jr. The son of the former NFL great proved he could get it done on the court. He didn’t rely on scoring but instead gave an all-around effort on the floor which helped PTT win the banner.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 6th Grade Championship Recap: NYC Gauchos Grabs The Title!

NYC Gauchos

The NYC Gauchos held off a pesky NJ Shore Shots squad 56-43 to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 6th Grade Championship. Both teams fought hard and beat some good teams to make it to the finals and deserve praise.

Mr. Memorial Day: Tyler Hawkins Hawkins has a new uniform but produced the same results. Once again he showed the ability to take over the game when needed. He scored at will when he got into the lane and in transition. He stepped up big.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 5th Grade Orange Division Championship Recap: Riverside Hawks Win Thriller!

Riverside Hawks

In the best game of the weekend Riverside Hawks defeated NY Rens 49-45 in double overtime to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 5th Grade Orange Division Championship. Congratulations to both teams for giving us a thriller and to the Hawks for winning another crown.

Mr. Memorial Day: Caleb Crawford The combo guard is no stranger to winning MVP honors and this weekend was no exception. During the finals he got it done in the scoring column with 15 markers including the free throws to seal the game. This kid has been a proven winner throughout his Spotlight career.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 5th Grade Blue Division Championship Recap: Boston Spartans Victorious!

Boston Spartans

Boston Spartans came to NJ on a mission and cashed as they defeated the MSU Skyliners 54-38 to win the Basketball Spotlight MDC 5th Grade Blue Division Championship. Congratulations to both teams for making it to the finals and to the Boston Spartans for taking the title back to Bean Town.

Mr. Memorial Day: Damani Santiago Santiago capped off a good weekend with an all-around performance in the championship game. He showed the ability to get teammates involved or score the rock himself. He finished with 9 points in the championship.

Basketball Spotlight MDC 4th Grade Championship Recap: NYC Silverbacks Take Home The Crown!

NYC Silerbacks

The NYC Silverbacks used an aggressive style to run past the Riverside Hawks 40-18 and win the Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 4th Grade Championship. Congratulations to the NYC Silverbacks for bringing home the title and both teams for a great effort.

Diary Of A Baller: Bryan Hall (Hartford County, CT) Entry #6

Trey Hall With Hall Of Famer Jim Calhoun

What's up Basketball World? 

I'm glad to welcome you all back for another entry of my Basketball Spotlight diary. I started the week thinking it would be slower than most since we didn't have a tournament over the weekend. However as I write this I can say I was mistaken....the week went just as fast and I'm just as tired. 

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 8th Grade Orange Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 8th Grade Orange Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL Q 
1. NJ SHORE SHOTS 
2. TEAM FINAL (BLACK) 
3. GYM RATZ 

POOL R 
1. NY LIGHTNING 
2. NJ SOLDIERS 
3. CBC 

POOL S 
1. TEAM FINAL (BLUE) 
2. NJ SHOREBOYS 
3. TEAM IZOD 

POOL T 
1. WE R 1 
2. NJ ELITE 24 
3. BROOKLYN RENS 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
1:40 PM Q1-Q2 (HGH 1) 
1:40 PM R1-R2 (HGH 2) 
1:40 PM S1-S2 (HGH 3) 
1:40 PM T1-T2 (HGH 4) 
4:00 PM Q1-Q3 (HGH 1) 
4:00 PM R1-R3 (HGH 2) 
4:00 PM S1-S3 (HGH 3) 
4:00 PM T1-T3 (HGH 4) 
6:20 PM R2-R3 (HGH 2) 
6:20 PM S2-S3 (HGH 3) 
7:30 PM Q2-Q3 (HGH 2) 
7:30 PM T2-T3 (HGH 3) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
8:00 AM 3RD S-3RD T (HGH 2) 
8:00 AM 3RD Q-3RD R (HGH 3) 
11:20 AM 1ST Q-2ND R (HGH 1) POOL Q 
11:20 AM 1ST R-2ND Q (HGH 2) POOL R 
11:20 AM 1ST S-2ND T (HGH 3) POOL S 
11:20 AM 1ST T-2ND S (HGH 4) POOL T 
1:50 PM POOL Q-POOL T (HGH 2) 
1:50 PM POOL R-POOL S (HGH 3) 
4:10 PM 8TH GRADE ORANGE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 3)

Sites: (HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 8th Grade Blue Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 8th Grade Blue Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL U 
1. BOSTON SPARTANS
2. SOUTH JERSEY TITANS 
3. ROLE MODEL BASKETBALL 
4. MSU SKYLINERS 

POOL V 
1. JERSEY FORCE 
2. SPARTANS 14U 
3. TEAM DELAWARE 
4. NX LEVEL 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
4:00 PM U1-U2 (MC) 
4:00 PM U3-U4 (AC) 
5:10 PM V1-V2 (MC) 
5:10 PM V3-V4 (AC) 
6:20 PM U1-U3 (MC) 
6:20 PM U2-U4 (AC) 
7:30 PM V1-V3 (MC) 
7:30 PM V2-V4 (AC) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
11:30 AM U1-U4 (MC) 
11:30 AM U2-U3 (AC) 
12:40 PM V1-V4 (MC) 
12:40 PM V2-V3 (AC) 
3:00 PM 1ST V-2ND U (MC) 
3:00 PM 1ST U-2ND V (AC) 
5:20 PM 8TH GRADE BLUE CHAMPIONSHIP 

Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753 
(MC) Our Lady Mount Carmel Church 1201 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park, NJ 07712 
(AC) Academy Charter School 1725 Main St, Belmar, NJ 07719

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 7th Grade Orange Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 7th Grade Orange Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL K 
1. JERSEY FORCE 
2. NJ SOLDIERS 
3. NY LIGHTNING 
4. BROOKLYN RENS 

POOL L 
1. NY DRAGONS 
2. MBK KNIGHTS 
3. WE R 1 
4. NY RENS 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
2:50 PM K1-K2 (HGH 1) 
2:50 PM K3-K4 (HGH 2) 
2:50 PM L1-L2 (HGH 3) 
2:50 PM L3-L4 (HGH 4) 
5:10 PM K1-K3 (HGH 1) 
5:10 PM K2-K4 (HGH 2) 
5:10 PM L1-L3 (HGH 3) 
5:10 PM L2-L4 (HGH 4) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
12:40 PM K1-K4 (HGH 1) 
12:40 PM K2-K3 (HGH 2) 
12:40 PM L1-L4 (HGH 3) 
12:40 PM L2-L3 (HGH 4) 
3:00 PM 1ST K-2ND L (HGH 2) 
3:00 PM 1ST L-2ND K (HGH 3) 
5:20 PM 7TH GRADE ORANGE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 3) 

 Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 7th Grade Blue Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 7th Grade Blue Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL M 
1. MSU SLYLINERS 
2. BOSTON SPARTANS 
3. SOUTH JERSEY TITANS 

POOL N 
1. RIVERSIDE HAWKS 
2. HOOPS ACADEMY 
3. TEAM BIG DREAMS 

POOL O 
1. PHILLY TRIPLE THREAT 
2. NX LEVEL 
3. NJ SHORE SHOTS 

POOL P 
1. NWK 
2. HOOP KINGZ ELITE 
3. WALL 2 WALL 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
9:00 AM M1-M2 (MC) 
9:00 AM N1-N2 (AC) 
10:10 AM O1-O2 (MC) 
10:10 AM P1-P2 (AC) 
11:20 AM M1-M3 (MC) 
11:20 AM N1-N3 (AC) 
12:30 PM O1-O3 (MC) 
12:30 PM P1-P3 (AC) 
1:40 PM M2-M3 (MC) 
1:40 PM N2-N3 (AC) 
2:50 PM O2-O3 (MC) 
2:50 PM P2-P3 (AC) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
8:00 AM 3RD M-3RD N (HGH 1) 
9:10 AM 1ST M-2ND N (MC) POOL M 
9:10 AM 1ST N-2ND M (AC) POOL N 
10:20 AM 1ST O-2ND P (MC) POOL O 
10:20 AM 1ST P-2ND O (AC) POOL P 
1:50 PM POOL M-POOL P (MC) 
1:50 PM POOL N-POOL O (AC) 
3:00 PM 3RD P-3RD O (HGH 4) 
4:10 PM 7TH GRADE BLUE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 4) 

Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753 
(MC) Our Lady Mount Carmel Church 1201 Asbury Ave. Asbury Park, NJ 07712 
(AC) Academy Charter School 1725 Main St, Belmar, NJ 07719

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 6th Grade Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 6th Grade Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL G 
1. TEAM IZOD 
2. BAYSHORE BULLDOGS 
3. SOUTH JERSEY TITANS 
4. NY LIGHTNING 

POOL H 
1. NJ SHORE SHOTS 
2. BOSTON SPARTANS 
3. TEAM PHILLY 
4. TEAM LOADED 

POOL I 
1. RIVERSIDE HAWKS 
2. STATEN ISLAND STINGRAY 
3. WALL 2 WALL 
4. TEAM FINAL 

POOL J 
1. HILLTOPPERS HEAT 
2. TEAM DELAWARE 
3. GAUCHOS
4. WE R 1 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
9:00 AM G1-G2 (HGH 1) 
9:00 AM G3-G4 (HGH 2) 
9:00 AM H1-H2 (HGH 3) 
9:00 AM H3-H4 (HGH 4) 
10:10 AM I1-I2 (HGH 1) 
10:10 AM I3-I4 (HGH 2) 
10:10 AM J1-J2 (HGH 3) 
10:10 AM J3-J4 (HGH 4) 
11:20 AM G1-G3 (HGH 1) 
11:20 AM G2-G4 (HGH 2) 
11:20 AM H1-H3 (HGH 3) 
11:20 AM H2-H4 (HGH 4) 
12:30 PM I1-I3 (HGH 1) 
12:30 PM I2-I4 (HGH 2) 
12:30 PM J1-J3 (HGH 3) 
12:30 PM J2-J4 (HGH 4) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
9:10 AM G1-G4 (HGH 1) 
9:10 AM G2-G3 (HGH 2) 
9:10 AM H1-H4 (HGH 3) 
9:10 AM H2-H3 (HGH 4) 
10:20 AM I1-I4 (HGH 1) 
10:20 AM I2-I3 (HGH 2) 
10:20 AM J1-J4 (HGH 3) 
10:20 AM J2-J3 (HGH 4) 
1:50 PM 1ST G- 1ST H (HGH 1) 
1:50 PM 1ST I-1ST J (HGH 4) 
4:10 PM 6TH GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 2) 

Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 5th Grade Orange Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 5th Grade Orange Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL E 
1. RIVERSIDE HAWKS 
2. TEAM LOADED 
3. NY LIGHTNING 
4. CBC 

POOL F 
1. TEAM IZOD 
2. WE R 1 
3. NY RENS 
4. TEAM DELAWARE 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
4:00 PM E1-E2 (AS 1) 
4:00 PM E3-E4 (AS 2) 
5:20 PM F1-F2 (AS 1) 
5:20 PM F3-F4 (AS 2) 
6:20 PM E1-E3 (HGH 1) 
6:20 PM E2-E4 (HGH 4) 
7:30 PM F1-F3 (AS 1) 
7:30 PM F2-F4 (AS 2) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
10:20 AM E1-E4 (AS 1) 
10:20 AM E2-E3 (AS 2) 
11:30 AM F1-F4 (AS 1) 
11:30 AM F2-F3 (AS 2) 
3:00 PM 1ST E-2ND F (AS 1) 
3:00 PM 1ST F-2ND E (AS 2) 
5:20 PM 5TH GRADE ORANGE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 1) 

Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753 
(AS) All Sports NJ 1750 Brielle Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 5th Grade Blue Division Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 5th Grade Blue Division Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL C 
1. T TOWN BALLERS 
2. MSU SKYLINERS 
3. LV KINGS

POOL D 
1. JERSEY FORCE 
2. SOUTH JERSEY TITANS 
3. BOSTON SPARTANS 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
9:00 AM C1-C2 (AS 1) 
9:00 AM D1-D2 (AS 2) 
11:20 AM C1-C3 (AS 1) 
11:20 AM D1-D3 (AS 2) 
1:40 PM C2-C3 (AS 1) 
1:40 PM D2-D3 (AS 2) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
8:00 AM 3RD C-3RD D (HGH 4) 
12:40 PM 1ST C-2ND D (AS 1) 
12:40 PM 1ST D-2ND C (AS 2) 
3:00 PM 5TH GRADE BLUE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 1) 

Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753 
 (AS) All Sports NJ 1750 Brielle Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 4th Grade Schedule

The Basketball Spotlight Memorial Day Classic 4th Grade Schedule is listed below. Make sure you travel early because of the holiday traffic. 

POOL A 
1. NJ SHORE SHOTS 
2. MSU SKYLINERS 
3. BOSTON SPARTANS 
4. SOUTH JERSEY TITANS 

POOL B 
1. NY RENS 
2. TEAM DELAWARE 
3. SILVERBACKS 
4. RIVERSIDE HAWKS 

SATURDAY MAY 28TH 
10:10 AM A1-A2 (AS 1) 
10:10 AM A3-A4 (AS 2) 
12:30 PM A1-A3 (AS 1) 
12:30 PM A2-A4 (AS 2) 
2:50 PM B1-B2 (AS 1) 
2:50 PM B3-B4 (AS 2) 
6:20 PM B1-B3 (AS 1) 
6:20 PM B2-B4 (AS 2) 

SUNDAY MAY 29TH 
8:00 AM A1-A4 (AS 1) 
8:00 AM A2-A3 (AS 2) 
9:10 AM B1-B4 (AS 1) 
9:10 AM B2-B3 (AS 2) 
1:50 PM 1ST A-2ND B (AS 1) 
1:50 PM 1ST B-2ND A (AS 2) 
4:10 PM 4TH GRDAE CHAMPIONSHIP (HGH 1) 

Sites: 
(HGH) Hoop Group Headquarters 1930 Heck Ave Neptune, NJ 07753 
(AS) All Sports NJ 1750 Brielle Ave Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Diary Of A Baller: Bryan Hall (Hartford County, CT) Entry #5

Trey Hall 

Hello again Basketball World! 

Welcome back for the fifth week of my basketball diary. As school winds down for the year I'm finding myself even more busy with class work, but a few weeks from now I'll be able to put the textbooks down for the summer. 

Spotlight Alum Karl Anthony Towns Wins NBA Rookie Of The Year!

Karl Anthony Towns 

Basketball Spotlight Alum Karl Anthony Towns was a unanimous choice for NBA Rookie of the Year. Towns competed in Basketball Spotlight with Team NJABC and finished his middle school career by dominating the J.E.M. All Star Classic. Towns went on to have a stellar high school career at St. Joseph’s Metuchen before heading off for one year at the University of Kentucky. 

Last summer Towns was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 1st overall pick. It didn't take Towns very long to make an impact. He had 28 points and 14 rebounds in the second game of the season, a victory over Denver, and though many rookies hit a wall in the middle of the long, grueling NBA regular season, Towns got better as the season went on. He averaged 21.3 points on 55 percent shooting and 11.7 rebounds in the final 31 games of the season. 

Basketball Spotlight would like to congratulate Towns on his success and wish him more in the future.

NY Rens Take Stand Against Gun Violence!

It’s a well-known fact that gun violence has been a serious problem in our country for years especially in the inner city. One basketball program has decided to step up. The NY Rens have decided to wear orange patches throughout their program to give awareness of gun violence. Their effort has not only affected their program but many teams throughout the country have also joined the movement. They were recently featured on ESPN and you can check out the video below. Basketball Spotlight is extremely proud of the NY Rens Organization and will like to help out anyway we can.