DON'T MISS OUT ON THE CHANCE TO PLAY AGAINST THE TOP TEAMS IN THE NORTHEAST ALONG WITH THE ULTIMATE...EACH WINNING TEAM FROM EACH DIVISION WILL BE AWARDED FREE FULLY CUSTOMIZED GAME UNIFORMS ($850 value). EACH PLAYER & COACH WILL RECEIVE A FREE TOURNAMENT T-SHIRT, ALONG WITH SPECIAL GIVE-AWAYS. MAJOR CORPORATE SPONSOR GIVE-AWAYS & THE AREAS TOP RECRUITING SERVICES WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE. THIS IS ONE TOURNAMENT THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS....EVERYONE THAT IS SOMEONE WILL BE THERE.
AGAME SUPER SHOOTOUT I
APRIL 17-18, 2010
ACADEMY OF NEW CHURCH (Bryn Athyn, PA) (5-10 minutes outside Philadelphia)
$395
Ages: 10U thru 15U
Send your check or money order to:
AGame
439 S. Broad St.
Suite 212
Trenton, NJ 08611
Attn: Carl Hines
For questions or additional information, contact Carl Hines @ 267.257.4360 or email: carlhines@agameteam.com
NEXT ST. PATRICK’S STAR: AUSTIN COLBERT
by MATT WHITFIELD
While Kyrie Irving is departing this year, as is the coach’s son, Kevin Boyle Jr, the Celtics still have serious talent waiting in the wings. That is because for the next year, not only will the Elizabeth (NJ) program have the No. 1 ranked player nationally in the class of 2011, Michael Ghilchrist, but they’ll also be playing with the No. 1 ranked 2013 prospect, Austin Colbert. What’s a scary thought is Colbert could possibly be better than Ghilchrist, a player some last year called the best high schooler nationally, regardless of class, before he is done.
St. Patrick’s has a history of producing good basketball players. Current NBA players Al Harrington and Samuel Dalembert attended St. Patrick’s and current college players Corey Fisher (of Villanova0 and Dexter Strickland also highlight notable alumni of the program.
Colbert and Ghilchrist seem like a lock to continue this trend and the duo show early potential as future NBA draft picks.
“His potential is through the roof,” Irving told NBE of Colbert this weekend after the impressive frosh scored 11 points as St. Patrick’s buried previously unbeaten Trenton Catholic 78-52 at the Scholarship Fund for Inner-Children Festival at Kean University’s Harwood Arena in Union. Colbert came off the bench and in the absence of Gilchrist, who missed the contest with a knee injury, received increased playing time that he took advantage of.
Colbert is already 6′8 and he told NBE he is projected to be 7′1. One Big East assistant coach remarked to NBE over the weekend that he compares Colbert to former Syracuse star Billy Owens at this stage.
Colbert just moved to New Jersey recently from Chesapeake (VA). Growing up, Colbert told NBE he had the chance to meet Alonzo Mourning a couple of times and Colbert was left impressed with how humble he was for such a premier basketball player.
“He’s a big guy and he’s very humble and I just liked the way he played the game and I like what he did for his community,” said Colbert.
Now playing at St. Patrick’s, Colbert with his frame, size, and game has the chance to be special as well and knows the opportunity of playing for a nationally renowned program is a great privilege.
“It’s a great opportunity, said Colbert. “I’ve heard about [coach Kevin Boyle] when I was growing up. How he’s a great coach, he won national coach of the year a coupe times and I just wanted to play for a good coach, and [I liked] how he worked his system. It’s a great experience.”
Right now Colbert isn’t really thinking about college and the recruiting process that will almost certainly be as high profile as some of the other recent high school stars.
“I’m just trying to take it one step at a time,” Colbert told NBE. “Play high school ball as best I can and colleges will come.”
However, Colbert did mention schools that have shown him early interest.
“Virginia Tech, ODU, Clemson, UNC, Detroit, and Kansas,” Colbert mentioned when asked which schools had contacted him thus far. Colbert also mentioned the ACC as his conference of choice saying, “I’ve always wanted to be in the ACC.”
For now Colbert is working to improve his game for the future.
“I definitely need to work on my left hand dribbling and my face up game a lot and I need to keep running the floor and get my stamina up,” said Colbert.
With his size, potential, and ability Colbert has the chance to eclipse Dajuan Wagner as the most decorated basketball recruit ever out of the state of New Jersey. For now though Colbert is just a humble young man, who has this message for his family.
“I love my mom and my dad and my little brother. Thank God for blessing me with this talent and this height,” said Colbert.
What’s up basketball world it’s your boy Champ coming to you with highlights of my week. First I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that 2010 will be a good one. This week was fun, after being out of school for a while it was good to get back. The week started off with practice on Monday, practice was fun because it was our first one since the break and got to see the fella’s. I had really missed practice, oh well I guess I like to practice.
Thursday we had a big game against our archrival Postlewait Middle. We were fired up and ready to play. Last year just like this one we came in to the game undefeated, last year they knocked us off. This year we were determined not to let that happen. With our 4-0 record on the line we came out blazin and jumped right on them. In the first quarter I scored 15 pts and at the final buzzer we were 5-0 with a 52-34 victory. I finished the game with 25.
Friday school was cancelled because of snow, and I must admit I was happy. The day off gave me some additional time to work on an important book report and it let me spread my workout over the entire day. Saturday we had practice and it was fun because Coach put in a new play that allows me to be creative with the dribble to shake my defender and get to the cup.
Monday we played another conference opponent the Woodbridge Raiders and we knew they were out for revenge as last season they came to us with a 8-0 record and left the gym 8-1. This year we are 5-0 and they want to get some payback. But that didn’t happen as we cruised past the Raiders. The game started out intense but we were clicking on all cylinders. The big man (Shikeem) was rebounding and scoring and my backcourt mate (Lewis) and I were putting the ball in the basket and playing solid defense. The final score was 64-28 and we are now 6-0 with a 20pt margin of victory. I finished the game with 17.
That’s my week you all, stay tuned next to find out my highlights of this week.
Champ Out !!!
Tyus Battle, Darius Gillon, and Jamir Harris lead Team Battle to another title by defeating DC Assault Cowen (the #11 Nationally ranked team) by 7 points with a final score of 58-51. Team Battle went undefeated in the tournament with strong performances by Nathaniel Pierre-Louis, Leondre Washington and new additions CJ Howell & Marcus McClary. Due to the holiday weekend many players could not attend the tournament, Team Battle 12U with a bench of only 7 players and Team Battle 10U player Khalif Battle contributed to the 5 and 0 record. This event featured a few top teams including DC Assault and the PT Pistons.
As you know Basketball Spotlight has been reporting the movement of Class of 2015 prospect Emmanuel Taylor. The towering forward as appeared on the circuit with the Philly Aztecs, The City and F.A.C.E.S. recently. There has been a lot of speculation about the cause and purposes of his movement. His mother Donna Brewer reached out to Basketball Spotlight personally to clear the air about her son’s situation. “Right now I’m just trying to find an AAU team that makes my son feel comfortable. I have read different things about where my son will end up and it’s not true” said Brewer.
There is a coach that Brewer does want to commend; “Right now I will have to say Coach Cole (F.A.C.E.S.) is the best teacher and I think Manny fit in well with them. But once again this is about what makes him happy and that’s what I’m concerned about” she added. In terms of the future don’t expect a definite decision because Brewer noted that Taylor will be suiting up for a few different teams in upcoming events. After our conversation I genuinely feel that Brewer is really just concerned about her son being happy and learning the game.
Hello Basketball World,
First off I want to wish everybody a happy new years. This week was good; it was my first week back to school after our 2-week break. The first week of break I was sick and the second week I worked out a little bit, hung out with friends and went to a few Christmas tournaments. During the week I had 3 practices with my school team which is always fun. This week I also went to a few high school games. Tuesday I saw Dwight Englewood verses Ridgefield that ended in a blowout going to Dwight. A few of my friends and AAU teammates where playing in this game.
As I go to the different high school games and watch these teams I find it even more difficult for me to picture myself at these schools. I was hoping by now I would have a clearer cut picture as to where I would play high school ball but after watching some of these teams they just might not be a fit for me. Thursday I was planning to go to Paramus Catholic to watch them play Highlands, which would have been a good one, but I choose to stay home to study for a test I had on Friday. I plan on going to see Paramus Catholic this week, as they are one of my top choices for next year. Friday was good, after school I was with a few of my friends before I went to Dwight Englewood to see them play Bogotá High School, like the previous one this game started out good until about the 3rd when it escalated into another blowout. Saturday I stood home and relaxed and got homework done.
Sunday I went to my AAU coaches’ house to hangout with his son, my teammate and friend Keion Osbourne, we spent a good part of the night hanging out and talking about the overall high school experience. Keion plays varsity as a freshman at Dwight Englewood but doesn’t receive the playing time he deserves. Our conversation also showed that coaches will say anything to get you into there schools but once your actually there it can be totally different. Therefore, I wish and was hoping that by now I would now where I am going or want to go to high school but it is almost as if I am only on square one with this big decision I still have to make.
Young One Out.
Temple Gibbs Sr. seems to have the blueprint for developing basketball players and many cannot argue his success. His son Ashton is on the top players in college basketball today while his other son Sterling is a high school star getting recruited by many major universities. Gibbs’s next project is his third son Temple Jr. a 7th Grade guard currently playing for KYDA. Gibbs knew early on that TJ would be ready for this task “When he was younger and I saw him playing with his older brothers I saw the toughness and unwillingness to back down” said Gibbs. TJ’s journey started as a 7 year old playing in the Gauchos program and has taken to a few other stops before landing with KYDA.
At the Grand Finale KYDA made their Spotlight debut and TJ game spoke for itself. He helped led his team to the Final Four and took home All Tournament honors. His father loves the new team atmosphere “I love this group and most of the fact that he is having fun and developing his skills” Gibbs mentioned. His aggressive play caught the eye of several spectators and evaluators that were present.
When you have two older brothers that are highly successful many might think TJ would feel the pressure to succeed but his father doesn’t see it that way “He’s very comfortable and supportive of his brothers. He loves analyzing their games and even being critical of things that they do on the floor. Watching them succeed has given him more confidence” said Gibbs. Basketball Spotlight will be watching and we are confident that TJ will be able to carry on the family legacy especially with his father having the blueprint.
The phrase scholar athlete has been around for years and many people love to throw it around. There’s a true scholar athlete in Far Rockaway, Queens by the name of Chris Davis Jr. Davis attends Scholar Academy and currently sports a 97% average in the classroom. Chris is a part of the National Honor Society, was on the schools Presidential Achievement list and is a nominee for the Funsport Academic Award. While some kids dream of playing for North Carolina or Kentucky his AAU coach Andre Edwards thinks Davis has bigger potential “I feel he’s an Ivy League kid and his potential is through the ceiling” said Edwards.
On the floor Davis has been rocking with Edwards and Team Underrated for the past 4 years. He was Mr. Memorial Day two years ago and has won numerous big time awards since then. Most recently he helped his squad make a decent run in the Grand Finale while taking home All Tournament honors. Right now Davis is considered one of the top guards from the Empire State and his coach agrees “He’s very good at rebounding from the guard spot, scoring the ball and keeping teammates involved” said Edwards.
Being a high school Edwards knows that there’s a lot of work ahead for Chris “Right now he needs to work his on the ball defense and shooting”. It will take hard work for Chris to reach his goals but it seems like his has his head on straight and should be well on his way. He’s the true meaning of a scholar athlete.
Basketball Spotlight the new leading exposure company for grammar school basketball will be hosting the Clash For The Cup. This event will feature the top young teams in the United States and will be played at the Hoop Group Headquarters. Awards will be given to the 1st and 2nd Place teams and Basketball Spotlight will provide the written coverage on our website.
Cost: $350 (3 Games Guarantee)
Date: January 30th and 31st
Place: Hoop Group Headquarters (Neptune, NJ)
Ages: 11U Thru 14U Deadline: January 20th Please fill out the application below and return it with check or money order to:
Basketball Spotlight
c/o Mike Melton
P.O. Box 308
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Questions: Contact Mike Melton at 609-532-5122 or at Basketballspotlight@hotmail.com
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION Committed Teams
14U Division
1. Team Nelson
2. Team Final
3. Team Scan
4. NJ Pirates
5. Team Rebels
6. NJ Shore Shots
7. NJ Predators8. New Heights NYC
9. Educated Athletes
10. Youth Interlock
11. A Game Elite
12.
13U Division
1. Team Final
2. F.A.C.E.S.
3. Team Rebels
4. NJ Got Game
5. KYDA
6. The City
7. Del Team Select
8. NJ Shore Shots
9. NJ Pirates
10. Mid Jersey Heat
11. New Heights NYC
12.
12U Division
1. Team Battle
2. F.A.C.E.S.
3. Team Scan
4. Sam Cassell All Stars
5. New Heights
6. KBR
7. NJ ShoreShots
8. NJ Got Game
11U Division
1. Team Battle
2. Delaware Royalty
3. NJ Shore Shots
4. Gatlin Pumas
5. St. Theresa Falcons
6. Bayshore Bulldogs
7. Mid Jersey Heat
8.
Team Scan came on the scene last season and made an immediate impact. They took home New Team Of The Year Honors and Kevin Seymour was a major factor. Seymour is now in boarding school in Massachusetts but still found time to holler at us in the Final Quarter.
8:00
BS: What kind of attributes do you look for in a coach?
KS: I want a coach that shows respect but most importantly can make me into a better player and man.
7:00
BS: Rank these categories in order of importance; Exposure, Development, Travel Basketball and School Ball.
KS: Development, Exposure, Travel Basketball and School Basketball
6:00
BS: What team would you say presents the toughest challenge?
KS: I would say Juice All Stars because they gave us the toughest time of all the teams we have played.
5:00
BS: You’ve been to several Basketball Spotlight events and how to you feel about playing in them?
KS: I like it because the competition is good but I really love the exposure on the website when the tournament is over.
4:00
BS: What high schools are you interested in?
KS: I really don’t know if I’m going to go to another school or just stay at the prep school I am attending.
3:00
BS: How is the experience of playing for Team Scan?
KS: At first I didn’t think I would stay here but Coach Munch has taken the time to make me a better player and a better man. Scan cares more about academics than basketball. We have several programs that go on off the court. On the court he makes sure we are always working out or playing in games.
2:00
BS: What’s going through your mind when you have the ball in the final seconds of a game?
KS: I’m just thinking about how can I score the rock and give our team the victory.
1:00
BS: What do you prefer tournaments or showcase events?
KS: I like tournaments but showcases give you a chance to really show your talent. It seems like more scouts are there.
0:00 Ball Game!
Nazier Chew has an interesting story. Last year during the Grand Finale he played for the Trenton Hurricanes. His squad ran into a tough 14U Team Nelson and took a big loss. Following this game his squad decided to break up leaving him without a spot to rock. As fate would have it Team Nelson 13U squad needed a point guard and Chew answered the bell. He helped lead them through two legs of the Triple Crown. Now he enters this season regarded as one of the top guards in the region. We sat down with him for the Final Quarter and here’s what he had to say.
8:00
BS: How did it feel winning the Triple Crown last year?
NC: It was a good experience because we won all the Basketball Spotlight tournaments and no one else can say that.
7:00
BS: What was it like playing for Team Nelson?
NC: At first it was tough because I always played with the Canes and my dad was the coach. Once I settled in it got a little easier and now my teammates are like family.
6:00
BS: Speaking of your dad, how did it feel to play for another coach?
NC: It was also difficult because I think my dad is a great coach. It was an adjustment because my dad is real hard on me when he coaches. But I definitely enjoy the experience.
5:00
BS: What high schools are you interested in?
NC: Well Trenton Catholic seems like a favorite, they are building a nice program. There are a few North Jersey schools that are also showing interest.
4:00
BS: Who would you say is the toughest player you competed against?
NC: I would have to say Shep Garner because he has size and skills. He’s a big combo guard which makes him a tough match up.
3:00
BS: What do you feel about player rankings?
NC: I think it’s cool but it could also hurt a player’s confidence. I mean its good when your name is included but if not then I guess you have to use it as motivation.
2:00
BS: What do you like to d when you are not playing basketball?
NC: Just chill out with my friends that played for The Canes we are still family.
1:00
BS: Who is your favorite player and why?
NC: Brandon Jennings, when I first saw him play I was in 5th grade and I loved his flashy passes and plays. I try to add that to my game but also keep it a little simple.
0:00 Ball Game:
F.A.C.E.S. 11U ARE CHAMPSThis weekend there were two big events going on and Basketball Spotlight received the results. Here’s a breakdown of the teams that took home the titles.
KSK Tyranny New Years Brawl
11 and Under Champs: F.A.C.E.S.
12 and Under Champs: New Height NYC
13 and Under Champs: KYDA
14 and Under Champs: Future Players
Funsport Jr. Pro League (Championship)
Starret City Defeated NJ Pirates
Basketball Spotlight the new leading exposure company for grammar school basketball will be hosting the Clash For The Cup. This event will feature the top young teams in the United States and will be played at the Hoop Group Headquarters. Awards will be given to the 1st and 2nd Place teams and Basketball Spotlight will provide the written coverage on our website.
Cost: $350 (3 Games Guarantee)
Date: January 30th and 31st
Place: Hoop Group Headquarters (Neptune, NJ)
Ages: 11U Thru 14U
Please fill out the application below and return it with check or money order to:
Basketball Spotlight
c/o Mike Melton
P.O. Box 308
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Questions: Contact Mike Melton at 609-532-5122 or at Basketballspotlight@hotmail.com
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION Committed Teams
14U Division
1. Team Nelson
2. Team Final
3. Team Scan
4. NJ Pirates
5. Team Rebels
6. NJ Shore Shots
7. Brooklyn Ballers
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13U Division
1. Team Final
2. F.A.C.E.S.
3. Team Rebels
4. NJ Got Game
5. KYDA
6. The City
7. Del Team Select
8. NJ Shore Shots
9. Brooklyn Ballers
10. Mid Jersey Heat
11.
12.
12U Division
1. Team Battle
2. F.A.C.E.S.
3. Team Takeover
4. Sam Cassell All Stars
5. New Heights
6. DC Assault (Gorham)
7. NJ ShoreShots
8. NJ Got Game9.10.11.12.
11U Division
1. Team Battle
2. Delaware Royalty
3. NJ Shore Shots
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Darrick Boyd Put On A Show In Sprinfield!
Tymere Berry Guard (Mid Jersey Heat)- Berry battled Boyd all afternoon. He held down his end with clever dribble drives and strong pull ups. He proved to be more than a local talent with his play in Springfield. He battled like a warrior.
Pat Sheehan Guard (Mid Jersey Heat)- Sheehan showed some promise handling the rock and passing. He does need to work on his shot selection especially as a point guard. A few times his willingness to take the big shot took his team out of their rhythm. But this should come with maturity.
Emmanuel Taylor Forward (Philly Aztecs)- Taylor shook off a slow start to play huge in the semifinals. He dominated on the blocks while spending most of the day at the charity stripe. When he’s playing hard he’s totally unstoppable on this level.
Jihad Barnes Guard (Philly Aztecs)- Barnes is a showman with the rock. He likes to show flash especially when dishing the rock. I have to admit when he’s on he looks very good. I also love the effort he puts in on the defensive end.
