2015 AAU Basketball - Memphis

[kwc]

From the Commercial Appeal

 

Team Penny captures second straight AAU national title

 

Written By: Omer Yusuf

 

 

 

Penny Hardaway

 

Three players East High will rely on next season provided further proof of their potential impact Monday at Southwind High.

 

Sophomore guards T.J. Moss and Alex Lomax and freshman forward Chandler Lawson combined to score 54 points to lead Team Penny to an 86-66 victory over the Michigan Gators in the 15-and-under AAU national championship basketball game. It was Team’s Penny’s second consecutive title.

 

Moss, recently offered a scholarship by University of Memphis coach Josh Pastner, led Team Penny with 22 points, including 20 in the second and third quarters. Lomax scored 19 points and Lawson, ranked the fourth-best 2019 prospect nationally by Future150.com, scored 13 points, 11 in the first half.

 

“I would say it was a 10-of-10 (performance), just because we won the championship,†Lomax said. “It was a team effort. All that matters is that we won the championship.â€

 

Despite the final score, Team Penny struggled in the first quarter and trailed the Gators 22-20. The Gators made five 3-pointers in the opening quarter.

 

Lawson said the team’s slow start was normal.

 

“It was an afternoon game,†said Lawson, brother of Memphis Tigers freshman forwards K.J. and Dedric Lawson. “We had to wake up and bring our intensity and play defense off each other.â€

 

Team Penny coach LaMarcus Golden said nerves played a factor in the slow start. Golden adjusted his defense from a press in the early stages to man-to-man and alternated the defenses for the remainder of the game to limit the Gators’ 3-point shooting.

 

As a result, defense turned into offense for Team Penny as missed shots and steals led to layup after layup. Team Penny outscored the Gators 26-16 in the second quarter and built a 46-38 halftime lead. Team Penny outscored the Gators 40-28 in the second half.

 

“They (the Gators) were a good team,†said Golden, a former guard for Treadwell and the University of Tennessee. “They made shots early. We just had to continue to do what we do, and not get out of character. And we did that. As the game got on, we wore them down and they started missing shots.â€

 

Golden said it was a good victory for the organization and while it was a team effort, credit for the success goes to former U of M All-American and NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway, who sponsors Team Penny.

 

“It’s all about Penny,†he said. “He’s doing the best thing for the city by giving back by not only giving his money, but his time and knowledge. I think it’s big for someone of Penny’s stature to give back to the kids.â€

Edited July 20, 2015 by kwc

[TLowns]

Moss also recently picked up an offer from UConn.

 

With the addition of Chandler Lawson for East, they may very well win AAA state for the next three years.

[kwc]

Moss also recently picked up an offer from UConn.

 

With the addition of Chandler Lawson for East, they may very well win AAA state for the next three years.

 

East will be locked and loaded that's for sure. Chandler is a really BIG addition. Now they have a post presence with SKILL and moxie. Combine that with them playing and winning on the highest level in AAU. Their confidence will be through the roof. I hope the expectations won't be too much.

Edited July 23, 2015 by kwc

[wingman10]

East will be locked and loaded that's for sure. Chandler is a really BIG addition. Now they have a post presence with SKILL and moxie. Combine that with them playing and winning on the highest level in AAU. Their confidence will be through the roof. I hope the expectations won't be too much.

kwc..thanks for the news and article..you know how much I love East. Still missing Coach Merriweather

Edited July 25, 2015 by wingman10