Team IZOD/Sports University has developed some of the top grammar school programs in the region. Their 6th Grade and 7th Grade squads are currently ranked #1 in the region while their 8th Graders seem to be coming along strong. We decided to reach out to Program Director Ed Bright to get some insight on their movement.
From The Director’s Desk
BS: What is the mission of Team IZOD/Sports U? EB:Mike sports, education and politics are the three most dominant and pervasive social forces that shape our society and influence the quality and character of American culture. At Team IZOD we realize that the love of sports is so deeply embedded in our national consciousness that the values of millions of people — participants and spectators — are directly and dramatically affected by the values conveyed in sports. This places a significant social responsibility on our mentors and coaches at Team IZOD who influence our basketball players to assure that athletic competition helps build character and ethics and gives each of our student athletes a clear understanding of what their social contract is to their families, schools and communities.
Team Final’s Nick Alikakos shows off his leaping ability during his middle school game. We were definitely impressed with the dunk off the lob pass. Keep up the good work Nick.
The 8th Grade Division of the Spotlight circuit has to be one of the best in America. It really doesn’t get any better than this. Here’s our 1st Quarter report.
8th Grade 1st Quarter Report
Team To Beat: CBC The “Money Team” proved they are the best by winning the Tip Off Classic and Funsport Jr. Pros. They have been collecting trophies all year now they will be looking to win that Grand Finale banner to hang in their gym.
Surprise Team: Playaz Basketball Club No one knew what to expect from PBC but they showed it should be another good year by making it to the final four of the Tip Off Classic and championship of the Friars Classic. Now they must keep the momentum going.
M.I.A. Team: Team Scan We thought TS would make their Spotlight debut at the Tip Off Classic. We really wanted to get a look at Mr. Waters and company. Hopefully we will see them soon.
Darkhorse: Team Final TF got off to a tough start at the Tip Off Classic but something tells me they will still find their to their way to the Grand Finale. They are the defending champs and never count out the heart of a champion.
Player Of The Year Leader: Jermaine Samuels (CBC) “The Terminator” lit up the Tip Off Classic and is a viable candidate but Samuels has been consistent this early season and doesn’t seem to show signs of slowing up. Winning is a component in our Player Of The Year equation so Samuels definitely has the leg up right now.
The 7th Grade Division of the Spotlight circuit is total fire. It’s filled from top to bottom with top teams and talent. Here’s our 1st Quarter report.
7th Grade 1st Quarter Report
Team To Beat: Team IZOD During the Tip Off Classic the “Supreme Team” proved they could handle the pressure and expectations. Now they are in the driver’s seat towards the Grand Finale but beware because many teams will be trying to knock them off course.
Surprise Team: Playtime Panthers Their final four run at the Tip Off Classic proves this squad is a real title contender. They have improved in the backcourt and added some size. They remain a dangerous team and should be a lock for the Grand Finale.
M.I.A. Team: DC Assault Everyone is wondering what the National Champs are bringing to the table. Word is they won’t be in action until March, if so they will have some catching up to do to get back into the zone of other squads.
Darkhorse: Wall 2 Wall Something tells me this is not a team anyone would want to draw at the Grand Finale. Hopefully their recent success doesn’t slowdown their hunger as the underdog. Keep that Clubber Lane swagger going!
Player Of The Year Leader: Javon Quinerly (Team IZOD) Quinerly rocked the Tip Off Classic while leading Team IZOD to the crown. The combo guard confidence is through the roof and he seems unstoppable when trying to get into the lane. In transition he was a total monster. Hopefully he can keep this good play going.
The 6th Grade Division of the Spotlight circuit is turning into one of the most exciting. These youngsters have been getting busy heavy on the floor. Here is our 1st Quarter Report.
6th Grade 1st Quarter Report
Team To Beat: Team IZOD Team IZOD squad has jump out as the team to beat. They ran through the Tip Off Classic in impressive fashion. They seem to have all the pieces to make a successful run to the Grand Finale crown and AAU National Championship. They are currently on a mission.
Surprise Team: Team First Team First made a championship run in their Spotlight debut. They knocked off some pretty good teams in the process. Now they must be able to stay afloat as the circuit only gets stronger.
M.I.A. Team: Team Nelson TN won’t be making their Spotlight debut until the MLK Classic. They are the defending Grand Finale champs so they should be ready to go. We will be taking a good look at this bunch.
Darkhorse: ETU Select The PV group made a final four run at the Tip Off Classic but will be looking to make the championship run at the Clash. They had a good showing before running into that juggernaut named Team IZOD.
Player Of The Year Leader: AJ Hoggard (Team IZOD) The POY of the Year race is very close so far but my scout tells me the Hoggard all around play makes him the leading candidate. Formerly known as “Mc Buckets” Hoggard has put away the scoring moniker to become the ultimate floor general. This unselfish nature will give this squad the best chance to win.
St. Michaels/Team IZOD won a hard fought battle against the Playaz 47-43 to win the St. Anthony Grammar School tournament. Patrick Stralza had 20 points (Tourney MVP) and Chris Dejean added 14 markers in the win. Tristan Patterson also had a good tournament in his Playaz debut making the All Tournament Team. Congrats to St. Michaels/Team IZOD in their victory.
Basketball Spotlight Alum Keandre Fair got off to a tremendous start on the varsity level. In a recent loss to Northwest Catholic, Fair registered 34 points while nailing 7 treys. He is currently averaging 22 points a game in three varsity contest as a freshman at Weaver High School. “Breeze” starred on the Spotlight circuit for CBC for years. Congrats to Fair but remember you are just getting started keep working hard.
Connecticut Basketball Club defeated LD Rebels 55-44 to win the Funsport Jr. Inc. Championship. Congrats to CBC coaches and players for winning the crown.
Roster: Azar Swain Aaron Clarke Chaylyn Martin Derek Laparelli Ismail Charles Jaecee Martin Jermain Samuels Kewan Smoot Raheem Solomon Vincent Ruff Head Coach Reggie Hatchett Asst. Coach Keyshawn Narcisse Asst. Coach Lawan Swain
Hello basketball world my name is Nate Pierre-Louis and this is my very first journal entry and I'm very excited to be a part of the Diary Of A Baller on Bballspotlight.
This week was a very tough week. I am going to start from Sunday.
Sunday was a great day but tough at the same time. We played the quarter-finals and the semi-finals in the same day. First we beat New Heights. It was a really fun game. Then we played PYO (Philadelphia Youth Organization). That was a really tough game, very physical but fun game. We pulled it out at the end. We beat them to go to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn New York on Sunday. It was a great birthday gift.
The Tim Dog Showcase Championship took place at West Ward Recreation Center and Basketball Spotlight was in the building. In the finals Capital City Heat defeated Larry Richardson All Stars 37-30 to win the championship. Here are the players that impressed us in our hometown. Top Performers
Rodrique Massenat Forward (CCH)- Massenat arrived at tip off but once he checked in he got right to action. He plays the big man role but his guard skills spill from his veins. I like his aggression and his tools from the backcourt spot. He led the team in scoring with 24 markers but his handle and court vision told the story. His cousin Franz Massaenat is “The Man” for Drexel University and it seems to be another bloodline member on the way.
Jordan Livingston Guard (CCH)- Livingston played like a polished 7th Grader during this event. He lets the game come to him while punishing the defense with breakaway layups and silky smooth pull ups. He’s one we definitely need to keep our eye on.
Chris Jackson Guard (CCH)- The true floor general would rather dish the rock then be a selfish scorer. He understands his limits and looked to get the ball to the finishers on his squad. Every team needs a quarterback and he handles the job well.
Quentin Beyah Guard (CCH)- This baby of the bunch is a 5th Grader and when he got chance he showed some potential. He’s not strong enough to impact the game on this level but I can tell he will be a problem down the road. Keep working hard youngster.
Ricky Bailey (LR All Stars)- Bailey was a total workhorse on the floor. He had a game high 20 points for the losing team but led them back to make the game respectable. He has a high motor and a nose for the ball that is natural. He’s only a 7th Grader so he has time to work on his skill set. Ricky finished the season as the league leading scorer.
Zahrion Blue (LR All Stars)- Blue has good size and can finish off some plays. I like his tough from the perimeter and he comes from a good basketball background. Now he needs to work on his ball handling and ability to make plays. He has more growing to do so his story is far from being done.
Barbara Blue (LR All Stars)- Zahrion sister is only a 6th Grader and she got busy with the boys. She understands the game and has a soft touch. At times she was over powered because of her gender but she will be a real problem on the girl level in the future. I expect TCA and other schools to be recruiting her hard soon.
Class 2015 Allonzo Trier appeared on our site on numerous occasions. Now they youngster is a high flyer. Check him out as the defender tries to take a charge. Wow.
Julian Newman, a 4'5" 5th grade hoops prodigy out of Downey Christian School in Orlando, Florida, has been tearing apart varsity opponents that are 6 and 7 years older than him. He leads the state of Florida in assists at 11.5 a game and is 19th in the nation in that category.
Recently, he scored 14 points, dished 8 assists and had 3 steals against Agape Christian which is one of the top private schools in the Orlando area. Two months ago, he scored 91 points in only 3 quarters of a middle school game which led to his move to varsity.
CBC aka “The Money Team” made a Funsport Championship by beating the Canarsie Blue Devils and New Rens. They will face the LD Rebels at the Barclay Center on Sunday. Coach Reggie Hatchett as always thinks his boys will be ready. “Funsport is a very prestigious league and we are just happy to be a part of it. The LD Rebels have two of the best 8th Graders in the country (Nate and Losini) along with a great coach so we anticipate a dog fight at the Barclay’s Center. My guys are prepared and will compete in every possession. We didn’t join Funsport to compete, we came to win it all and add this great accomplishment to our basketball resume” he finished.
Ricky Rivers director of Funsport chimed in on CBC chances of winning; “CBC has a chance to win because they are supposed to. The top team in the Northeast is not supposed to lose to a team only together three weeks. It falls on the shoulders of Jaecee Martin who is arguably the best 8th Grade point guard in America. He has yet to take his game to another gear this season but I hear the Nate Pierre Louis brings out the beast in him” said Rivers.
Basketball Spotlight would like to congratulate CBC for making it to the finals and also congratulate Rickey Rivers and his Funsport Staff for a successful season.
The LD Rebels knocked off New Heights and PYO to make it to the Funsport Jr. Pros Championship vs. CBC at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, NY. Lloyd Daniels the Coach of the LD Rebels is very happy to make the appearance, “Many people felt with only had a two man team but we showed today that all our players were capable of. Now we have a chance to get to the Barclay Center and play against a great team in CBC” Daniels said.
Funsport Jr. Pros director Rickey Rivers gave his input on LD Rebels chances of winning the championship. “LD Rebels has a chance to win because of the leadership of Nate Pierre Louis. He refuses to lose when he laces them up. The moment is big and his motor is high. The key is his partner Losini Kamara. If he steps out in these bright lights CBC is in trouble” he finished.
Basketball Spotlight would like to congratulate LD Rebels for making it to the finals and also congratulate Rickey Rivers and his Funsport Staff for a successful season.
The high school season kicked off this weekend and a few Basketball Spotlight Alums from the Class of 2016 got busy. Here’s a look at trio of frosh that got busy on the varsity level in New Jersey.
NyRhique Smith (Monmouth Regional)- Monmouth Regional didn’t win a game last season but Smith has gotten them off to a great start after a 26 pt., 6 rebs, and 4 assist performance in their 72-55 win over St. John Vianney. “La Smoove” knocked down 3 treys in victory.
Bryce Aiken (Pope John XXIII): Aiken put on show at the Hoop Group Tip Off Classic. “Capo” drilled in 24 points, and handed out 7 dimes while taking home MVP honors in his team’s loss to Roselle Catholic. Aiken’s stock is on the rise.
Tyus Battle (Gil St. Benards)- Battle had a good all around performance with 14 points and 14 caroms in his team’s loss to the Patrick School. The Hoop Group awarded Battle as his team’s MVP for the game. “Kid Mamba” should have some exciting moments this year.
Hello basketball world! This week was crazy. So let’s get to it.
On Monday and Thursday morning before school I started my day at Obe’s gym. Like always it was a great workout and I will continue to go to him to improve my strength. At his point the main thing that I have to improve in my game is my strength, and I will strive to get stronger. I’m not sure if I mentioned it or not but my mom works out with me! Sometimes she can’t keep up, but she does the best she can. I’m really proud of her because the workouts are very hard!
During the Tip Off Classic Team Glory reached the finals of both the 4th and 5th Grade divisions. Some of their success can be attributed to point guard Zion Harmon. Many people consider Harmon as the best 4th Grade player in America. Last season he led his team to the 3rd Grade AAU National title. Harmon game is advanced for his age and his coach Douglas Dormu agrees, “Zion’s basketball IQ is very high. He has great mental and physical strength that he uses well on the floor. He even shows great poise playing against 7th and 8th Graders. He has a unique ability to read defenses and make smart decisions quickly” he finished.
Dormu saw Harmon’s Basketball IQ develop right before his eyes, “When I saw Zion cutting the nets after winning the AAU Championship it took me back to when he was five years old. He would come to my practice with the Team Glory older team and just sit there and study the game. He would always beg his father for a chance to play on a team and win championships” said Dormu.
As much success as Harmon has had Dormu makes him understand that his basketball road is just getting started. “Zion needs to work on his communication skills especially with teammates. He also needs to work on his midrange spacing. I think if he continues to work hard and keep his head straight he should win several more championships” he finished.
Basketball Spotlight will be keeping our eye in Harmon for the next few years. Should be some exciting times.
When we gave Harry Giles “The Stamp” and listed him as the #1 player in the country few other sites agreed with our assessment. But after he destroyed the USA trials people started jumping on the bandwagon. Now check out this vicious dunk over this kid. Can’t believe Giles is only 14 years old. Scary!
