NYBL 6th Grade Top Performers Part 2

Trey Patterson (Team Nation)

The NYBL kicked off their first session this weekend and Basketball Spotlight was in the building. Here's Part 2 of our look at the Class of 2020. 

NYBL 6th Grade Top Performers Part 2 

Trey Patterson Guard (Team Nation) 
I recently called Patterson the best 6th Grade prospect in the region and at the NYBL he showed me why. I caught his game against Leesburg Basketball Club and he went to work. The 6’0 wing guard displayed an outside touch that many other envy. He nailed 5 treys combined with a couple of drives. He’s silky smooth when he has the rock in his hands and plays the game at his speed. He was definitely worth the price of admissions when I watched.

Mike Sumner Guard (DC Premier)
Mike is a deceptively fluid athlete, running the wing in transition and finishing plays on drives to the basket. Offensively, Sumner is equally effective using the bounce to attack the basket and shooting the three and mid-range jump shot – he displayed exceptional range throughout the weekend. A pure scorer, who can handle – a volume shooter who needs attempts to be effective has tremendously improved his efficiency; lead his team to victory by taking over games when needed. He requires the right offense and freedom to truly see his impact and value. Sumner also display great court vision and can complete and an array of passes; has the ability to handle some lead guard duties. Think Paul Pierce in youth size, same type of style and game. Highly ranked in the DMV which makes his a consensus nationally rated player and he proved why all weekend long with scoring outburst of 25+ multiple times. 

Dimingus Stephens Forward (Team Glory) 
 “Ming” is growing into a pure scorer who can put the ball in the basket in virtually every way; he makes threes in transition and with deep range, is equally lethal starting the break himself or filling a lane. He is smooth and efficient going to the rim with no wasted motion in his shooting stoke or movements - making every shot he takes look like it has a chance of going in. Stephens has improved his overall speed and displayed a terrific first step that allows him to attack opponents and put them on their heels. With his hair-trigger release it only requires a small amount of space to make his opponent respect and regret his getting it off.

Hobby Ross Guard (Carolina Kings) 
Ross is an athletic wing with a developing body that will be able to add weight as it fills out. He is very smooth with the ball in his hands and is very talented offensively. He is a big time shooter with a great stroke to 20 feet. More of scorer than a shooting at this point, he scored in bunches all weekend long with a variety of offensive attacks; he can put the ball on deck, pull up, spot up, or penetrate. Playing on this very competitive circuit he will only continue to improve with time. 

Jordan McPhatter Guard (CBC Elite) 
Jordan plays the game the way that a point guard should play, looking to get his teammates involved as well as leading the defensive charge for his mates. He has very good quickness and handles the ball as if connected to his hand. McPhatter places a great deal of pressure on as a defender and is dedicated to contributing on both sides of the ball. He pushes the ball in transition using both the pass and the dribble as effective weapons – he can also go coast to coast with ease and is uncanny at finishing against bigger opponents. We also like Jordan when he switches modes to a scoring point guard; he can flat out get it going on the offensive end of the floor. Has very nice shooting range off the catch or dribble and he makes contested shots like the defender is invisible, using a very consistent text book stroke that is fun to watch.

Chuck Harris Guard (Leesburg Basketball Club) 
Harris is a tremendously gifted, offensive point guard with a penchant for scoring the basketball. Yet he has all the traditional point guard characteristics and a playmakers mentality. He plays more like a combo or scoring point guard, with good size and strength. He can score off the catch or dribble in transition or in the half court. He runs the lanes where he spots up along the arc looking to read penetration so he can move to the basket or simply drain the jumper from mid-range or from beyond the arc. Teams always have room for a player who shoots and handles the ball the in the fashion that Harris does. 

Josiah Hardy Forward (Leesburg Basketball Club) 
Hardy is far from a finished product. He has a great frame with long arms and with under rated touch in the lane. In the paint he can finish with either hand and doesn’t shy away from contact. Level of competition has been a question but was answered the last two times we have seen him; putting up double doubles all weekend long. Currently a big with excellent game changing shot blocking skills that will ultimately have to be transitioned to the perimeter in the future. By Hardy maintaining his defensive prowess and continuing to develop his wing skill set against top players we see Hardy becoming a multiple category contributor. This is a player to buy low who will pay dividends in a very short time.

Darius Miles Guard (Team Glory) 
Effortless, smooth, silky are some of the adjectives that can be associated with Miles’ game; a player who has grown up on the circuit is now beginning to pay huge returns for Team Glory. The left handed wing as grown into a long knockdown shooter who is starting to press the paint and add finishing at the basket to his list of assets – Darius showed over and over that he cannot be left open not even for a second or their will be consequences for the opponent. The shot is so pure that upon release the consistent stroke looks like it’s going to go in every time even when he misses. By adding the dribble drive, length, and scorer’s mentality to his stroke; a star is being born in front of people’s eyes. This is the actually the most dangerous type of player and most fun to watch – the consistent worker at the youth level whose body begins to match his skills and immediate results follow. Darius Miles is on this path, his game is patterned in such a way that as he adds length and strength with the coaching he is receiving he will be one of the top players in the class very soon. We haven’t talked about defense, but needless to say with his reach he is and will be trouble to shoot over or go around. Quickness is improving, again long with the other physical traits; elite status is not far away for Miles.

Qaadir Maneri Forward (Team Nation)
Maneri is a slashing scorer and good defender who makes the most of his scoring opportunities A long and athletic swingman, Qaadir is still developing and contributes by filling lanes in transition, slashing to the rim, or pulling up in the mid-range area. He continues to develop into a much more assertive offensive player, learning to utilize his countless offensive tools on a consistent basis. His size and skill package make him a terrific prospect for the next level and he uses these tools to contribute on both boards and defensively. He is relentless with his effort and we noticed a terrific motor every time he stepped onto the court. 

Nashaun Holmes Forward (Team Nation)

Holmes has good size, tremendous length, and an excellent feel for the game. Right now a forward he is a jumper away from being a combination stretch forward/wing. Plays very well along the baseline and from the short wing, on drives to the rim and pull-ups. Great touch, feel and body control with solid handle for a player who dominated for stretches in the interior. Has the entire package of tools to operate as a stretch four in the future. Continued to bang and rebound every chance he got showing lots of upside overall.

NYBL 6th Grade Top Performers Part 1

Shemar Morrow (Oakland Soldiers)

The NYBL kicked off their first session this weekend and Basketball Spotlight was in the building. Here’s our first look at the Class of 2020. 

NYBL 6th Grade Top Performers Part 1 

Shemar Morrow Guard (Oakland Soldiers) 
Shemar Morrow wowed all in attendance with scintillating performances all weekend long; featured by a 53 point outburst versus Team Takeover out of the DMV. Many who have watched Morrow over the years have seen a player who typically doesn’t force the issues, takes advantage of his opportunities, and plays within the framework of what his club has designed. One of the only questions remaining was could he take over a game and exert his will on his opponent. All those questions were answered this weekend making him the clear number one player in this class. He exhibited both mid-range and 3-point shooting prowess; doing so off the catch and shoot as well as off the bounce. He put in yeoman’s work on the boards leading his team this category as well. Not resting on either end Morrow defended, altered, and blocked multiple shots as well as actively playing the passing lanes. Wearing the West Coast Oakland Soldiers uniform, Morrow was simply a “Straight Up Menace” to his opponents while doing anything and everything that was asked of him by his team. This kid is worth price of admission and continues to prove it every time the lights come on.

Jordan Toles Forward (Banneker Kings) 
Jordan Toles who has continued to lay his claim as a top player in the 2020 class didn’t disappoint; scoring at will Toles excelled with the addition of Montez McNeil in the post. Now able to play away from the basket on both ends we were able to see the ball-handling and guard skills that with his size, athletic ability, and explosiveness have experts thinking Marcus Smart as he stuffed each and every stat sheet with blocks, steals, rebounds, assist in addition to his points. Showcasing a very consistent mid-range jumper as well as a quickly improving three ball, no one held him under 25-points all weekend long. Seizing the opportunity to play against the top competition and show that he belongs in the conversation in the 2020 class Toles took a very businesslike approach in dismantling his opponents; his motor never stopped as he played every possession like it was his last. This attitude and desire is turning this group of 2020 players into possibly one of the better classes of all-time.

Kyree Walker Guard (Oakland Soldiers) 
Kyree Walker; with big time size and range Walker is a high energy shooting guard, at 6’2 already, who can score in a variety of ways. He can get to the rim in transition or stop and knock down a pull up jumper. He has three point range and although he is streaky the defense must respect the fact that he can and will hit it. He has great basketball bloodlines - Dad is 6’10” and he is a freak of an athlete with the ability to finishes above the rim on the break. Walker punishes his opponents with his man-child size at this level. He has a college-type body with an upper body that resembles a grown man. He uses his strength and athleticism to overpower opponents inside or shot over them on the outside when challenged by guards. He can finish with the drop-step or spin move in traffic but still shows the handle to take his opponent off the dribble. When his moves on moves improve as he gets tested at higher levels and comp he will be almost impossible to stop as he WILL continue to grow without question – not only his is game top of line but his upside may be even greater then where he stands today and that’s saying a whole lot.

Jason Harris Forward (West Coast All Stars) 
Standing 6’3 and long; Harris is scary good and he knows it. He showed great hands and can score through contact with his back to the basket or facing up. Jason controls rebounds well in his area and is an excellent passer out of the post. He moved extremely well on the screen and roll displaying out of this basketball IQ in doing so. His size, length and mobility combined with his skillset gives the essential traits to be considered and projected as one of the top prospects already. He owns the paint, blocks shots with both hands and not out of bounds – he is a one man defensive juggernaut who can start the fast break and runs the floor so well that he can catch and finish it at the other end. Harris will grow significantly more and when he does the sky is the limit – already a face of up threat off the block or short corner he can put the ball on the floor and showed an ability to shoot over opponents off the bounce! Jason Harris is flat out what any coach wants in an interior defender; he’s tough, he bangs, he believes every board belongs to him, he blocks shots and changes them in an intimidating fashion, he outlets the ball and seals the deal on the other end – and he does this while having fun and playing to the crowd. A fan favorite all weekend long; he will be a coaches favorite real soon and we aren’t talking High School.

Paris Dawson Guard (West Coach All Stars ) 
My oh my can this kid boggie! Paris one of the best athletes in the class and definitely one of the most athletic point guards – the fastest guard in the gym from end line to end line with the ball. He has good size and build with athletic ability. Paris looks to involve teammates and passes extremely well off penetration in tight spaces. Dawson is a true floor general with great on the ball defense and excellent lateral quickness; your prototypical point guard with extremely good leadership skills. As a scorer is much more effective off penetration, the jump shot and range were also very impressive, but he cannot be contained when going to the tin. With improvement in controlling the pace and running the team he can actually become even more dangerous offensively and even harder to stop. With skills and IQ this is the type of point guard that every team wishes they had as he gives you whatever you need when you need it. His development at this position is also impressive as his focus isn’t on scoring (which he does at will) but on making those around him better and more effective. Not many think the game at this level and with the talent already present his road to success is mapped out already; widely considered one of the top players/guards on the West Coast Dawson showed he needs to be in the discussion nationally – proving it against some of the Mid-West and East Coast top players at the same position.

Zion Harmon Guard (Team Glory) 
For those who previously stated the Harmon could not produce the same results playing with kids a year his senior; you were wrong – dead wrong. The 5th grade wonder boy continued to amaze onlookers by controlling the pace; taking advantage of situational match ups and destroying anyone placed in front of him in a machine like manner. Two 30+ performances in addition to 20+ points in all the other games were proof enough that this kid can do damage on any age group. His naysayers can now put to rest that this isn’t one of the nation’s premier guards and players. A prolific scorer with in the gym range; he put it all on display this weekend scoring, finishing, and facilitating. Do we get tired of writing about Harmon; do you get tired of reading? It’s so often we look for a reason to ignore, another player to stand in the spotlight – but just as on the court; Harmon will not be denied. His game continues to mature as we saw in game adjustment based on the schemes created to stop him – against height he shorten drives and moved to a more mid-range game; when defenses packed in to prevent penetration he took what was there and murdered teams from behind the arch. Pin-point passes out of double team that lead to back breaking scorers were just some of the things he does always; but not in a grade above. There is no answer for the “Lion”, not even in the NYBL.

NYBL 7th Grade Top Performers Part 2

Jordan Mitchell (All Ohio Red)

The NYBL had its first session in Districts Heights, MD and Basketball Spotlight was in the building for the action. Here’s our second look at the 7th Grade Division top performers. 

 NYBL 7th Grade Top Performers Part 2 

Jordan Mitchell F/G (All Ohio Red) 
Mitchell’s recent growth in size and his play this weekend had to put him back into the #1 Player in the class talk. Yes, the silky smooth wing shot up a few inches and used his to punish defenders. Against Team Rio he damaged the middle of their defense with runners and step through moves. He had his best outings against top squads Rio National and Team Takeover while helping his crew to a perfect weekend.

Scottie Lewis Guard (Team RIO National) 
Lewis held up his national rep while leading the troops to a 4-1 weekend. He did most of his damage after catching the rock at the free throw line and attacking. He also was simply too much to handle in transition. On defense he was intercepting passes like shut down corner and swatting shots. His shot blocking ability is remarkable for his size. In terms of developing I think he should work on changing speeds when making moves and using his left hand a little more often.

Mikeal Jones Forward (Team RIO National) 
Jones needed a couple of games to get acclimated with his new squad and the speed of this type of competition. But once the lad got his feet under him he was back to his Player Of The Year mode. He was very dominant in the post versus George Hill and Ohio Hoopsters. In case you forgot he can quickly turn in to lay up making machine. It was good to see him in action once again.

Jeremiah Francis Guard (All Ohio Red) 
The fullback built point guard has the skills and savvy for the position but also uses his power to dominate on this level. On offense he carries defenders to wherever he wants on the floor before penetrating and making things happen. On defense he can get into ball handlers and use his strength to navigate their movement. He’s a physical as they come.

Ahmadu Sarnor Forward (Team RIO National) 
In terms of production Sarnor might have been the most consistent Rio player of the weekend. He brought his A- game against All Ohio because he was strong enough to play their physical game. He finished through contact, battled for put -backs and stepped out for jumpers. His best gift is his attacking ability and getting to the rim.

Bryan Antoine Guard (Team Rio National) 
Antoine has awoken and turned the corner. This weekend not only was he aggressive on the offensive end but he was an intimidating force on defense. He blacked several shots and was a demon in the passing lanes. In transition he was determined to finish even if he had to climb into the chest of the shot blockers. I love how his game is progressing.

BJ Mack Forward (Team United) 
This weekend the coach had Mack on the lower block and he feasted. His turn around and quick spend moves are a compliment of his footwork and his touch seems natural. Now he just has to work on setting up camp deeper. On occasion he catches the pass a little too far from the basket which allows the double team to get there before he makes his move. The closer he sets up to the cup the more he will punish the defense. 

Chris Harris Guard (Texas Express) 
There’s nothing better than a confident shooter when he’s rolling and Chris had a few on these moments this weekend. In transition he set up in the corner and made the defense pay. He also showed good body control when finishing off the plays and avoiding shot blockers. 

Keion Brooks Guard (George Hill All Stars) 
Brooks had a serious growth spurt and stands about 6’4 right now. Now this makes this kid a real dangerous prospect down the road because of his unique skill set. If his game continues to develop and he keeps growing we might have a smaller version of Jayson Tatum on our hands. 

Juwan Gary Forward (SC Hornets)
Gary has sprouted up since the last time we saw him and with his size, strength and athleticism he is a man amongst boys in the painted area. He led his team to a signature win against the number two team in the country Texas Express with a 30 point outburst and close to 20 rebounds. We also saw him catch a two-handed alley-oop dunk on the break in one of the Hornets earlier games. With Juwan controlling the middle the Hornets finished the NYBL Session #1 on a high and are back in the national spotlight after under performing at AAU Nationals last year. 

Chris Hinton  Forward  (Reach Higher Kings)
Hinton has been a national name for the last few years and one of the top Post players in the class leading his team to a #5 national finish last year. Making a move to a new club this year his results are still similar as he led the Reach Higher Kings to a good start in Session #1 of the NYBL. Hinton has added to his game as he is handling the ball a little bit more and shooting some jump shots adding to his already physical back to the basket game. Chris put up some big scoring games this past weekend along with controlling the backboards. 

Sydney Curry Forward (George Hill Rising Stars)
Sydney is fresh new face to the elite travel basketball scene. This kid is oozing with potential and he hasn’t even cracked the surface. Standing at 6”4” this left handed man child dominates the paint. He has a nice touch around the basket and he doesn’t stray away from his strengths which makes him that much better. Keep an eye on “Syd Viscous” as we believe his stock will continue to rise. 

Andre Gordan Guard (All Ohio Red) 
Gordan is a nice complement to Jerimiah Francis. He has nice size and strength for a guard. Andre has a good feel for the game and plays at his own pace. He can attack the basket or knock down the long trey ball as he has nice form and rotation on his shot. He is a great addition to help this All Ohio team defend their NYBL championship. 

Rowan Barrett, Jr. Wing Forward (Brampton Warriors)
This Canadian player could have been the best prospect in the building. Standing at 6’4” he is a major athlete with great length. This lefty has great guard skills which leads me to believe he is in the gym all the time. He has a nice jump shot with good rotation with range to the 3 point line. His handle is good and he can attack the basket from all points on the floor. If needed he can also be effective in the paint in this age group but long term he will earn his keep on the perimeter.

Diary Of A Baller: Ja'Quaye James (Englewood, NJ) Entry #5

BITTER / SWEAT 

 What's up world it's your boy Ja'Quaye James and this week was a real up and down week for me. I had a bunch of things to do this week to get ready to head out to the Boo Williams tournament in Virgnia this weekend. But this time of the year is always a really tough time for me. Four years ago my cousin, who was someone I looked up to as a role model was killed and his birthday was this weekend March 22. Usually around this time I am around my family and we are in some way celebrating my cousin’s life this time of year. But I had to take care of some business in VA., I know my cousin DeVon Godfrey aka D-Train would have wanted it that way R.I.P. I Love You Bro.. He was my cousin and he looked out for me like I was his own son. I will never forget that!!!! 

NYBL 7th Grade Top Performers Part 1

Nobal Days (Butler Elite)

The NYBL had its first session in Districts Heights, MD and Basketball Spotlight was in the building for the action. Here’s our first look at the 7th Grade Division top performers. 

NYBL 7th Grade Top Performers Part 1 

Nobal Days Forward (Butler Elite) 
Days started a little shaky on offense but he was able to contribute once he settled in. The 6’8 prospect is is not physically developed enough to dominate offensively on the post but on the other end he’s a problem. His length and shot blocking awareness makes him a human fly swatter. He also had a field day on the glass. His best days are ahead of him especially once he gets stronger and develops his offensive skill set.

Diablo Stewart Guard (Lexington Hustle) 
Diablo was the first player that caught my eye after entering the building. The pint size point guard dismantled the Charlotte Rivals with a sharp handle and serious crossover. When Stewart entered traffic he used a smooth floater or laser pass to finish off the plays. His court vision and feel for the game was top notch while his range was unbelievable. This kid was pulling treys from behind NBA range; his sweet spot was the top of the key.

Jalen Burbage Guard (Lexington Hustle) 
Speaking of a floater, Burbage has a good one his arsenal. He spent the game playing off Stewart in terms of catching and shooting. He also created his own drives to the hole.

Dante Allen Forward (Lexington Hustle) 
Allen gave the Hustle a spark on the boards. The energy player is very quick off his feet and athletic enough to outlast opponents. Offensively his ball handling and play making needs some fine tuning but you can’t knock his motor.

Michael Christmas Forward (Academy Prep) 
Christmas can play 4 out of the 5 positions on the floor. Which means he can give you post up action; face up action, dribble drive action and deep range bombs. I love his skillset and think he was pan out as a three or maybe a two guard with hard work. He was a match-up problem for Butler Elite and others this weekend.

Myles Pierre Guard (Charlotte Royals) 
I saw Pierre for the second weekend in a row and he had some moments. His shot beyond the arc was off but he made up for it with mid-range buckets and trips to the charity stripe. His physical brand of play causes him to get fouled frequently. He’s what they call a volume scorer.

Matt Brown Guard (Butler Elite) 
Brown lit up the Academy Prep squad from the perimeter. He nailed 5 treys and had a host of pull ups and finishes in transition. This kid is definitely instant offense once his hands touch the rock. He finished with 24 markers.

Marquise Milton Guard (Butler Elite) 
Milton pushes the pill end to end Ty Lawson style. Even after made baskets he was dribbling the rock up the back of the defense. In the half court set he did a good job of picking holes to drive through and setting up teammates. He's very explsoive.

Cameron Thomas Guard (Academy Prep) 
Thomas is a bouncy guard that will leak out early to get transition buckets. He has a high arching outside shot from the perimeter and naturally just possesses the knack to score. In some instances he was asked to run the show and stepped in well.

Jahvon John Forward (Academy Prep) 
John is a perfect complement to Christmas because he doesn’t care about scoring. He does the dirty work like grabbing boards, playing defense and getting put backs. I like his quickness which allows him to guard multiple positions. Every team needs a player like John.

6th Grader Shemar Morrow Pumps In 53 Points At NYBL!

Shemar Morrow (Oakland Soldiers)

Shemar Morrow of the Oakland Soldiers 6th Grade team lit up the NYBL with 53 points against Team Takeover (Black) in a 77-73 double overtime victory. The southpaw was on fire from behind the arc nailing eight treys and summed up his play with a two handed dunk in transition. Check out his highlights from the weekend below. Stay tuned because Basketball Spotlight has swarms of coverage from this weekend in Maryland.

Basketball Spotlight Feature: Introducing Keewee Wyatt (Class 2020)

Ketann "Keewee" Wyatt

Wyatt out of Ohio is a true pass first point guard that has good strength for his size. He pushes the ball on the break, his speed is his calling card and he has plenty of it, all while showing an uncanny ability to get to the rim. He constantly probes the defense and penetrates looking for openings to make a play for himself or teammates, often easily knifing through to find open spot up shooters or cutters – his vision is a pleasure to watch. Ketann can also breakdown his opponent with an array of off the dribble moves with purpose. Has a killer crossover in his arsenal that makes the crowd go crazy. A one man press break with an edge, takes great care of the ball and isn't too risky with his passes, though many players wouldn’t see or even attempt passes he makes look easy. Wyatt actually has the potential to be one of the top scoring point guards in the future, but with his current pass first mentality is a refreshing player to watch. 

A coach’s son who is being taught to think the game first regularly plays with player 3 years his senior as method of his growth and training. Physically he has a basketball frame with excellent length – far from a finished product which isn’t good for his future competition. If this player isn’t on your list of players to watch he will be; but for experts we see his star potential right now.

Basketball Spotlight Feature: Trey Patterson Has Next!

Patterson Has Arrived!

The Tri-State has been the home of some top middle prospects over the years including Isaiah Whitehead, Isaiah Briscoe, Tyus Battle and most recently Nate Pierre Louis. Now there’s an eleven year old 6th Grader from Franklin, NJ that seems to be next in line. His name is Trey Patterson. Patterson currently plays for Nations Basketball Academy in which he guided to the Basketball Spotlight 5th Grade Grand Finale championship game last summer. This guard currently stands 6 foot, wears a size 14 shoe and is projected to be close to 6’9. 

Gary Battle has been known to develop talent including his son Tyus has been working with Patterson and has rave reviews. “Trey can play on the perimeter and in the post. He needs to continue to work on his ball handling and his defense away from the basket. He’s a tireless worker with unlimited potential” said Battle. 

Basketball Spotlight will get a look at Trey and his squad as they travel down to the AC Showcase. Stay tuned as we bring you more top up and coming players headed to Atlantic City. 

Photo Appears Courtesy Of Buckeye Prep Report.

Florida 6th Grader With Crazy Range!

Julian Newman finished his 6th grade season with 95 total 3-pointers. He is #2 in the state of Florida (2013-2014) for most 3's made in a high school season. Julian made 51% of his FG attempts. He was able to knock down 30-40 ft shots with ease! I’ve never seen a 6th grader with this type of range.

AC Showcase Filling Up Fast!

The Atlantic City Showcase returns April 19th and 20th in America’s playground. Last year this event was one of the best tournaments in the country. This year’s lineup seems to be no different. Space will be very limited so make sure you register early. 

8th Teams 
1. Team IZOD (National Runner Up)
2. We R 1 
3. Team Twelve 
4. SHA Elite 
5. George Hill All Stars 
6. New Heights 
7. Hilltoppers Heat  
8. Boston Spartans (Rue)
9. Boston Spartans (Wilfork)
10. Kingdom Elite 
11. We All In 
12. Team DEMI
13. Expressions Elite
14. Playaz 
15. I 10 Celtics (Black)
16. I 10 Celtics (Green)
17. CMEK Bulls
18. Reading KTB
19. 
20.

7th Grade 
1. Team Nelson 
2. George Hill All Stars 
3. MJ Mavericks 
4. We R 1 
5. NY Watchmen
6. Hilltoppers Heat 
7. Team Scan
8. Boston Spartans
9. We All In
10. Expressions Elite 
11. Team RIO National
12. Team Takeover 
13. Metro Flyers 
14. RJS
15. Gauchos 
16. New Heights
17. DC Blue Devils 
18. Team Final
19. I 10 Celtics 
20. Team Philly 
21. Reading KTB
22.
23.
24.

6th Grade 
1. Team IZOD 
2. George Hill All Stars 
3. We R 1 
4. Hilltoppers Heat 
5. Nations Basketball Academy 
6. Team Scan
7. Team Takeover (Gorham)
8. Boston Spartans 
9. Kingdom Elite 
10. We All In
11. Expressions Elite
12. House of Sports
13. Boston Titans 
14. Team Glory
15.
16. 

 5th Grade 
1. We All In 
2. We R 1 
3. Hilltoppers Heat 
4. Kingdom Elite 
5. Expressions Elite 
6. House of Sports
7. Team Glory 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11.
12.

4th Grade 
1. George Hill All Stars (National Champs)
2. Hilltoppers Heat
3. Rens 
4. House of Sports 
5. Team Glory
6. Team Glory (3rd Grade)
7. Maryland Finest
8. Team Future 
9. Riverside Hawks
10. CMEK Bulls
11.
12. 

Basketball Spotlight 6th Grade Top 10 Presented By AGame Team Apparel

The Basketball Spotlight 6th Grade has a new #1 and a couple of new members after the DMV Takeover. Here’s our Top 10 6th Grade teams in the region. 

Basketball Spotlight 6th Grade Top 10 Presented By AGame Team Apparel 

1. Gauchos: The Choz move to #1 after defeating #2 Team IZOD in the finals of the March Madness tournament in Scranton. I don’t know when we will see them in action again. 

2. Team IZOD: TI fell one spot back after losing to the Gauchos but they will have a chance to return to #1 if they win the AC Showcase in April. 

3. Team Takeover Black: TTO crashes through the Top 10 after winning the DMV Takeover title. Now they will be gunning for the #1 spot once the enter America’s Playground for the AC Showcase. 

4. MSE National Select: They proved to be a serious challenge to TTO. If they decide to play in a few more tournaments they could make some noise for the crown. 

5. Team Takeover Orange: This team made some noise at the DMV Takeover before falling in the final four. 

6. Team Glory: These boys have been traveling around the globe. I think we should have them scheduled for the AC Showcase. 

7. Hilltoppers Heat: The Heat will be making their way to the AC Showcase. They made some noise at the Clash now they will be looking to add points. 

8. Boston Titans: Formerly Team DEMI they will be coming to AC to show they are among the elite. Hopefully they can get it done. 

9. New Heights: I like some of the pieces this crew has. We might be able to see them at the AC Showcase. 

10. Team Final: TF seems to be getting it together after winning the DMV Takeover Blue Division.

Basketball Spotlight 7th Grade Top 10 Presented By AGame Team Apparel

The Basketball Spotlight 7th Grade Top 10 had little movement at the top and a new member after the DMV Takeover. Here’s our list of the Top 10 teams on our circuit. 

Basketball Spotlight 7th Grade Top 10 Presented By AGame Team Apparel 

1. Team RIO National: TRN came up a little short against the national champs in the finals of their tournament in Scranton, PA. They’ve added Mikeal Jones which should help them as they enter the stacked NYBL league. 

2. Team Takeover: After making it to the finals of the Tip Off Classic and Clash For The Cup, TTO finally grabbed the banner at the DMV Takeover. Their overall body of work has them in the #2 slot. They have the NYBL coming up before heading to AC. 

3. Rens: The Rens lost to CP3 in the semifinals of the March Madness tourney in Scranton. They should be returning to action very soon. 

4. Team Nelson: TN jumped up 3 spots after making it to the finals of the DMV Takeover. They will be joining us in America’s Playground for the AC Showcase. 

5. Team Final: TF surprised us at the DMV Takeover with a final four appearance after coming out a rough pool. They have now surfaced. 

6. Metro Flyers: The Flyers lost in the quarterfinals of the March Madness tournament. I heard they underwent a few changes so I’m anxious to check them out. 

7. B’More Finest: The Baltimore squad makes their first appearance after a strong showing at the DMV Takeover. They made their way to the final four. 

8. CIA Bounce: Bounce lost in the final four of the March Madness tournament. Their probably headed to Boo Williams this weekend. 

9. 6th Man Warriors: The Warriors didn’t have their best showing at the DMV Takeover. But I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last of this bunch. 

10. Gauchos: The Choz bring up the rear and we will get an up close look at them during the AC Showcase.

Basketball Spotlight 8th Grade Top 10 Presented By AGame Team Apparel

The Basketball Spotlight 8th Grade Top 10 has a new member and some movement after the DMV Takeover. Here’s our list of the Top 10 teams in the region. 

Basketball Spotlight Top 10 Presented By AGame Team Apparel 

1. Team IZOD: The “Supreme Team” checks in at #1 after making it to the finals of the March Madness tourney. The championship game was not played. They will be headed to America’s Playground for the AC Showcase. 

2. Playaz: PBC was the other participant in the finals of the March Madness tournament. They have the Boo Williams Invitational next on their schedule. 

3. Maryland Scholars: The Sports Scholars made it to the finals of the DMV Takeover combined with a MLK Classic title gave them the nod for #3. 

4. Baltimore Elite: Baltimore Elite jumps into the rankings with a splash after winning the DMV Takeover. They have enough pieces to move up even higher. 

5. Team Takeover: The favorite of the DMV Takeover lost in the final four to #3 MD Scholars. They will be back in action at Boo Williams before joining us in AC. 

6. Rens: The Rens come in at #6 and still remain and very sneaky team. I don’t know when we will see them in action again. 

7. Team Final: TF stumbled a little with a quarterfinal exit at the DMV Takeover. I imagine they will be joining the other Nike teams down at Boo Williams. 

8. Team Scan: TS has been idle the last couple of weekends. I got a feeling we will be seeing them in AC. 

9. Gym Rats: The Syracuse boys move up a spot after a decent showing at the DMV Takeover. I like the fight this squad shows. 

10. Team Twelve: This fast paced squad rounds out our Top 10. They will be making an appearance in AC. Should be exciting.

Basketball Spotlight Road To The Grand Finale Point System Update!

The Basketball Road to the Grand Finale made its fourth stop at the DMV Takeover in District Heights, MD. The next stop is the AC Showcase. Many top teams picked up points and things should only intensify as we head down near the America’s Playground. The Grand Finale Final Four will take place June 21st and 22nd. Here’s a look at the new point total. 

8th Grade Teams 
Team IZOD (11 Ponts) 
Playaz (11 Points) 
Team Takeover (10 Points) 
Maryland Scholars (9 Points) 
Team Twelve (9 Points) 
Team Final (7 Points) 

7th Grade Teams 
Team Takeover (15 Points) 
Team RIO National (14 Points) 
Rens (10 Points) 
Team Nelson (9 Points) 
CIA Bounce (8 Points) 

6th Grade Teams 
Team IZOD (9 Points) 
Team Takeover Orange (7 Points)
Team Takeover Black (5 Points) 
Gauchos (5 Points) 
MSE National Select (4 Points) 
New Heights (3 Points) 

5th Grade Teams 
Team Glory (8 Points) 
S Elite (5 Points) 
Team Takeover Black (4 Points)
Hilltoppers Heat (3 Points)

Diary Of A Baller: Ja'Quaye James (Engelwood, NJ) Entry #4

All Praises Due To God!

Wassup you'll, 

It’s Ja'Quaye James aka JellyFam guwop. I'm here to let you'll know that everything is going good in my life right now. I'm getting all my workouts in, getting stronger, getting bigger, better and getting all the respect I feel I deserve. Things are coming together for me in school, such as my grades and having a good attitude. Life could not be better. So with that being said living in a world where it's all about me, me, me. I would like to give thanks to God because without him I know none of this would be possible. 

This week was a good productive and fun week for me. I got to see a lot of close friends and top high school talent in the state of New Jersey. I got a chance to really analyze the high school guards and visualize myself competing against them next year. Therefore I have to get ready now so I will be really ready when the time comes. Speaking on high school's I'm so lose with my choice, I went on numerous visits and seen crazy teams play and still have no idea which one I would like to attend. I think my dad and I are just waiting for that perfect fit, wherever that may be, but in the words of my man my coach "Kie" says it will all work itself out. 

I don't want to bore you'll with all the A's and B's I got in school, countless shots I put up, how many push-ups and sit-ups I did, you'll already know those things are a given...apart of my routine... so I'm signing off... Catch you'll after Boo Williams and better believe I'm gonna Turn-Up Men lie women lie numbers don't...that's a fact

CP3 Invitational Day 2 Recap: National Champions Prevail In Overtime!

CP3 All Stars Win it All 

The CP3 Invitational concluded today with the host CP3 All Stars defeating Team Takeover 65-58 in overtime. Kobe Langley and Mike Green combined for 29 points in the win while Justin Moore poured in 29 of his own for TTO in the loss. 

 Day 2 7th Grade Top Performers

Mike Green Guard (CP3 All Stars)
After having a slow first half in the finals, Green woke in the closing moments of regulation and in overtime. He played the pick and roll game with Wendell Moore which kept Team Takeover off balance. Once Green got the switch he wanted, he used a head fake or jab step to get past defenders. He spent most of the latter part of the game at the charity stripe which helped the national champs seal the game. This kid outside shot is usually like cash dollars therefore is new name is Mike “Money” Green or Money Mike for short.

Kobe Langley Guard (CP3 All Stars)
Langley had a spurt when he showed that star power I saw at the AAU Nationals last July. The southpaw tormented TTO in transition with hang glide buckets and big time pull ups. He also stepped up the defensive pressure and helped cause some crucial turnovers. He came things close until Mike Green could get it going.

Wendell Moore Forward (CP3 All Stars) 
Part of the reason he’s considered the best player in the country is that he can dominate the game without dominating the ball. He’s CP3 primary inside presence and Team Takeover had to send at least three players to the glass to try and contain him. This kid is so quick off his feet it’s amazing. Once he has the ball he commands so much attention that it makes life easier for the other players.

Justin Moore Guard (Team Takeover) 
Moore solidified himself as one of the best if not the best combo guard in the country. CP3 had no answer to his penetration and strong finishes. While CP3 is accustomed of knocking driving guards off balance Moore ate the contact and still finished. He also had enough size to hit the mid-range pull up in the middle of a move. His presence just changes the entire make up of this team. Just You tube (Corey Fisher St. Patricks) and you will see what I mean.

Terrence Williams Forward (Team Takeover) 
Whatever Williams has been eating these days he should keep it coming because he’s in a zone right now. He’s just more focused and active for longer periods of the game. On the post he’s showing great footwork and willingness to bang. He battled Wendell Moore hard all game. He had two 3 point plays the old fashion way to kept things close.

Mehki Long Guard (Team Takeover)
 Long came in and gave Team Takeover some great minutes off the pine. His length caused problems on the defensive end and allowed him to guard different positions. Right now he has long legs and a small torso which means he should shoot up several inches over the next couple years. He might turn out to be a good prospect in the TTO stable.

Bryan Sanders Guard (Team Florida) 
Sanders is built like a brick house but has the scoring ability of a natural combo guard. In their playoff matchup versus Team United Sanders was the difference because TU could not contain him on the perimeter. Bryan has enough handle to get past the first line of defense then he uses his power to reach pay dirt. Right now this kid is very dominant on this level especially on the offensive end.

Swinton Acosta Guard (Team Florida) 
Another reason Team Florida defeated Team United was the play of reserve guard Swinton Acosta. Acosta checked in the game and instantly brought his team energy but pushing the pill and distributing it to teammates. He also nailed a deep jumper and converted a couple of buckets in transition. He seemed to have fun playing the game and plays like a great teammate.

Josh Sanquinetti Guard (Team Florida) 
Sanquinetti is strictly a scoring guard for the Florida crew. He prefers banging the jumper from the corner but can also slice to the basket for a deuce. He made a couple of crucial baskets to help them pull out the win.

CP3 Invitational Day 1 7th Grade Top Performers Part 2

Wendell Moore (CP3 All Stars)

The CP 3 Invitational kicked off today and Basketball Spotlight in the building. The last game of the evening featured the 7th Grade battle of Team Takeover vs National Champion CP 3. Here’s what we saw as CP 3 pulled out the victory. 

CP3 Invitational Day 1 7th Grade Top Performers Part 2 

Wendell Moore Forward (CP3) 
On this team Moore plays the post especially on defense but this kid is a guard no doubt. He’s so powerful with the rock but has skills and finesse in his package. He can cross you and get to the cup, bully his way through or hit a step back trey. Then when you add in that he plays with a motor on both ends of the floor, you have to say he’s the #1 player in the country. No one impacts the game as much as this kid.

Mike Green Guard (CP3) 
When Team Takeover tried to take control of the game Green pulled out his dagger. The lefty hit a huge trey to give his team the lead for good. He has been spending a lot of time developing his dribble drive game and it shows. He converted some tough finishes while showing great body control. He also hurt TTO at the charity stripe.

Keyshawn Langley Guard (CP3) 
Langley came up big when CP3 needed him most. During the 2nd half he checked into the game and nailed back to back treys that gave the national championships the momentum. He's usually known for his point guard skills but in this one his scoring stood out.

Josh Watts Guard (Team Takeover) 
Watts versatility helped Team Takeover stay in the game. He gave them a big wing target on the perimeter and helped them break the press. He’s fills the lane well when running the floor like a deer. I think he has a chance to be a good wing player down the road.