gomab2

Lackluster state tournament capped off by a CLASSIC Championship Game!!! Memphis Tigers, who had played with no effort the entire tourney, losing in the process to the Ballerz Select and barely beating the Ballerz Elite (who only had 7 players) by 6, finally decided to come play ball, and show the state how talented they are... The championship game came down to a Ballerz 3 point lead with 20 seconds left. Two missed free throws that could have iced it led to a long NBA range fade away trey by Broderick Gilchrist with 7 seconds left. The Ballerz could not convert, and the Tigers won a spirited, passionate game in overtime by 4...

Great title game between two very good teams!!!

The rest of the tourney was lackluster to say the least. The three Ballerz teams were missing a combined 15 players for most of the tourney, including Juwon Long, Antwan Long, Jeremy Dixon, Tyrone Caldwell, Latavious Williams, Justin Hearn, Kevin Giltner, Reggie Bomar, Qu'varius Howard, and Anthony Sampson, among those three teams. The Tigers, who may be the best team in the State, played with no effort at all for four games. The contrast was STAGGERING to see, and completely surprised me and all those in attendance for the Finals. Memphis Y started the weekend strong, but got blown out in the semis and then fell to the Thunder. Ballerz Select was as up and down as any team could be, beating the Memphis Tigers, but losing to the Stallions. The Rage lost to the Ballerz and Y by 40 each, but was tied with Thunder going into the fourth quarter before losing. The Stallions were the only team that played with intensity in every game, beating the Ballerz Select, and playing close games with the Ballerz Elite, Tigers, and Ballerz 16's before losing. My hat goes off to the Stallions for the effort and team ball. Isiah Harris and Demond Craig were very good all weekend long for the Stallions...

As for some other individuals:

Ricky Taylor, Haywood Co, 2008 (YOMCA): complete stud. Top 10 player in the state at the minimum. Does it all on the court, all with a smile and joy for the game like Barry Stewart...

Donald Harris, Houston, 2007 (YOMCA): major sleeper. Must get stronger, but a sleeper D-1 prospect. 6'7 G that can shoot. Must put it on the floor better though...

Octavious Swarn, Carver, 2008 (YOMCA): 6'5 F showed signs of being a big time player. Had a great weekend before running out of gas in anticipated match up vs. McAdoo in 3rd place game. Nonetheless proved to be a top 15 or 20 player in State at this time. Very strong and athletic, and plays much taller...

Tyshaun Edmonson, UHA, 2008 (Ballerz 16's): Dropped an unreal tourney high 45 points on Saturday!!! This tied the Ballerz program record for points in a game held by former Mr. Basketball Demarco Polk. This kid has a chance to be very very special...

John Primm, Dickson Co, 2008 (Ballerz 16's): quickly trying to make a claim as the top PG in 2008. Strong, smart, can shoot, and flat out defend. Good size. The kid is going to be special...

Wil Peters, Whites Creek, 2006 (Thunder): the kid is such a pure scorer, and reminds me more and more of for Jackson NS guard Ramon Williams as a scoring 2G in a PG body. The kid continues to make me a believer, and is an unbelievable competitor...

Broderick Gilchrist, Hamilton, 2007 (Tigers): High Major PG. Has the body, the quickness, the pure outside shot. Must be put in the same breath as Mo Miller, Gerald Robinson, Juwon Long, Terrance Oglesby, and Randy Culpepper when talking elite players in 07. The kid is special and very underrated...

Myron Strong, Hamilton, 2007 (Tigers): I have always loved his game, but I started to doubt after watching him until the state finals. Then Myron decided to play! Wow this kid is good, but I have to question why he doesn't play hard all the time. Almost as quick as Gerald Robinson but a better outside shot. Another high major must be put with the names above...

William Green, Fairley, 2007 (Tigers): very underrated athlete. Tall (6'5), long, and though inconsistent, can knock down the outside shot, especially in the clutch. Very tough competitor. Very good Mid Major prospect...

Ryan Donald, Houston, 2007 (Tigers): another sleeper D-1 prospect. 6'5 with a good body and great athleticism. Good slasher. Not sure how well he shoots it, but definitely an intriguing prospect...

Kevin Smith, Riverdale, 2007 (Ballerz Elite): vastly underrated guard. At 6'5 and amazing athleticism, Kevin does all the little things on the court, which sometimes gets overlooked. Kevin is a fantastic passer with great vision, and has outstanding handles. Kevin ran some PG this weekend with Juwon Long, Antwan Long, Ryan Westbrooks, and Matt Smigielski out for all or part of the weekend. Kevin is going to be very special...

Antwan Long, Liberty Tech, 2007 (Ballerz Elite): the single most underrated player in the state. All he does in high school and AAU is make plays. He is the BEST perimeter defender in the state, bar none. Antwan has made the transition to the Point and 2G positions, and is starting to garner some D-1 looks. Though not a good outside shooter, Long does everything else on the court: rebound, score, defend, post up, penetrate, create for others, etc...

Cataurius Taylor, Brighton, 2007 (Ballerz Elite): Cataurius had an outstanding weekend starting at Point for the absent/injured Juwon Long. Cataurius capped off his weekend with an outstanding performance in the finals against the Tigers, especially when Long had a tough time playing due to injury. Cataurius had 11 in the second half alone, and had an amazing on the ball steal against Strong that had the crowd in a frenzy. Cataurius has played himself into mid major D-1 recruitment and looks to a big July schedule...

bluedevil and whoever else is concerned...

This play was NOT EVEN CLOSE to being dirty!!! In fact there was very little contact at all!!! I feel bad for McAdoo and really do hope he is okay, but this was not even close to being a dirty play, so these stupid rumors on these boards need to stop. Period.

Interesting quote, since the Ballerz seem to do a pretty darn good job getting kids in school at the next level... Interesting.

Great weekend for the Ballerz...

17u Elite really made a name for themselves going 3-1 at the King of the South, with impressive wins over Tallahasee Wildcats, Atlanta Celtics Gold, and St. Louis Gameface. Great write up on Unapproved Website. Juwon Long was outstanding, as was Josh Sain, Deveyon Hunter, Jeff McClain, and Matt Smigielski, among others...

17u Select advanced out of pool play, and finished 2-2 for the King of the South. Riverdale's Scott Thomas and Tee Burnett, along with Jackson Southside's Ralph Strayhorn, and Bowling Green Ky's Rondale McMillan were among those that really played well...

16u Elite won a tough substate... bunch of threads already on this...

16u Select lost in OT and by 6 to two Memphis teams, while playing with only 6 and 5 players. Victor McLin and DaQuan Brown were outstanding...

But above all, getting those 17u kids a third straight weekend of exposure in front of Division 1 coaches was worth more than any win we had over the weekend!

Marcus Jefferson was outstanding for the Thunder...

The Ballerz were very balanced. Giltner looked very good. Wisdom provided a nice spark off the bench. L.Williams was outstanding defensively. Edmonson is a budding star. Cutter continues to flat out make plays. Hopson: wow.

Ken Torrey from Memphis has talent, but his attitude seemed to really hinder his game...

Scott Newton was tough as well...

Thunder played a great game. Hats off to them. 6'7 Justin Hearn and 6'4 Rayshawn Walker did not make the trip for the Ballerz. Latavious Williams was very impressive defensively. Hope McAdoo is okay and doing well...

Congrats to the Travelers!!! Gomer, with all the talented teams in Tn, we're looking to put the Top 8 on the floor on July 1 for a one day event where the teams participating split the gate. Would love to try to get the Travs involved. In any case, congrats on a great tourney for a talented team...

First off, congrats to the Celtics on a great Championship!!! I thought the two Tn teams more than represented and made a mark for themselves nationally!!! Congrats again Celts!

Second, AFO and BBurn are two different people...

Third, this was a good post by BBurn. Those in Tn should know that the Celts did so well...

Fourth, Goldbolt, I don't know you, but after reading a number of your posts lately on a few threads, I would really urge you to try to be less negative in your posts...

Fifth, in the Spring evaluation period, College coaches are allowed to talk to AAU Coaches in any Sanctioned event...

email me at my hotmail account... coachshul@_______

I didn't want to say anything, but there is WAY too much overhyping the Grizzlies... They had a great tourney at Riverdale with some good wins, which is why they're currently ranked 4th in the State, but they are no where near as good as everyone is making them out to be. Our 15u team lost to them by 3 points, without one of our 6'6 kids, also while playing all 15 players similar minutes without our head 15's coach. The Grizzlies are good, and Drew Kelly is a heck of a player, but they are no where near as good as made out to be, nor could they even compete with Tn Tigers or the top two Memphis teams. Throw in a weak schedule, and they should quickly drop below the Ballerz and Travelers, among others...

Not sure. I know Ballerz Select only lost to the Y tonight by 7 points, though the Ballerz only had 6 players... I wasn't at the game to tell you who was on the roster, but I know Ricky Taylor, Tim Ware, and Jason Jones were not there for the Y...

http://www.unapproved website.com/index.php?name=...article&sid=101

The Tennessee Travel Team Rankings are up!!!

Whoever knows anything about Chatt-town warriors, I need some contact info. I want to get them in our tourney, the Ballerz Challenge of Champions May 12-14. They have a number of players that are not well known statewide, and I really want to get them seen at the COC... Thanks in advance...

Hot off the press, Scotty was listed as one of the Top 5 emerging prospects at the entire Kingwood Classic, on Unapproved Website!!! Great article just up today!!!

Very true Airforce... Wisdom really played well also, and was in at crunch time in a number of games. Plays with a lot of heart and can really knock down the outside shot... Also, forgot to mention that Hunters Lane's Josh Henley also played very well...

utvols...

Though Memphis has great talent and great teams, don't be so quick to overlook other teams in the state. Remember that a Memphis team did not win 17u state last year, and the Ballerz split with Pump n Run as well...

Memphis very well may have the top team in each age group, but it's not a foregone conclusion... In 17u, there are at least 6 teams that could make a claim for the top spot...

Blackburn, got any opinions on this matter?

Good, keep the opinions coming... Rankings will be posted soon on unapproved website.com, and will be done by Andre Whitehead

Now that we're a month into the season, I want to get some opinions on who the top teams in the State are in each age group...

There will be Team Rankings coming out soon...

Scotty was outstanding all weekend long, in front of a host of major D-1 coaches. The 16's while playing up did very well, and really made a name for themselves. Tyrone Caldwell, Tyler Cutter, John Primm, Latavious Williams, and Tyshaun Edmonson were among the other Ballerz that really played well over the weekend...

Only one team even entered

Yeah, Kevin Giltner hit 5 treys in a game, in front of Iowa head coach Steve Alford, as the Ballerz 16's advanced out of pool play and into the sweet 16 of the Championship bracket...

Tyrone Caldwell, Latavious Williams, Scotty Hopson, Tyshaun Edmonson, and Josh Henly were among the other Ballerz Elite 16's that played well at Real Deal...

John Primm, Victor McLin, Jonathon Harris, and Lavonte Henderson played very well for the Ballerz Select 16's...

Kaymon Garrett, CJ Crittendon, Chris Brand, Aaron Puckett, Raymond Claybon, and Jamarius Alderson were among the top players that led the Ballerz 15's to the Championship game of the Consolation brackett...

Juwon Long, Ken Bingham, Deveyon Hunter, Josh Sain, Jeff McClain, Kevin Smith, and Cataurius Taylor were among the top players for the Ballerz 17's that went 6-2 and advanced all the way to the consolation championship game...

All in all, it was a great weekend of ball...

No doubt. Cutter is an obvious choice... I was trying to put some underrated or under-pubbed names out there...

Tyrone Caldwell, Ballerz Elite 16u, is outstanding...

Demario Williams, Celtics 16u, is also one of the best in the state...

Gerald Robinson, Celtics 17u, is going to have a huge summer...

These three are obvious...

But look out for breakout summer from:

Kevin Smith, Riverdale HS, Ballerz Elite 17u... Sky is the limit for this breakout player...

Tee Burnett, Riverdale HS, Ballerz Select 17u... huge tourney in his home gym...

Ryan Westbrooks, Hillsboro HS, Ballerz Select 17u... wiry shooter with great work ethic...

Shawn Merriweather, Clarksville HS, Ballerz Select 17u... athletic rebounder with huge upside...

Jeremy Dixon, Mt. Juliet, Ballerz Elite 17u... Adam Morrison style game will explode once he adjusts to summer ball...

Kevin Giltner, Harpeth, Ballerz Elite 16u... Great size, pure shot...

Jamarius Alderson, Clarksville NE, Ballerz Elite 15u... long, athletic, great kid. Can be special...

Lamont Harris, Centennial, Celtics 17u... long, athletic shot blocker with great upside...

Deontray Siske, Franklin, Franklin Rage 17u... very athletic forward with a lot of talent...

Brandon Brown, BA, Tn Mavs... Great size on the wing and smooth game...

Gai, Glencliff, Celtics 16u... long, bouncy (and i mean bouncy) athlete will suprise many...

In other marquee games:

-Midstate Ballerz Select 17u beat Celtics 16s 75-69

Jackson Southside's Ralph Strayhorn led the way with 15 points for the Ballerz. Hillsboro's Ryan Westbrooks had 11 and Memphis Central's Cid Harrell chipped in 10 in a blanced scoring effort in a great win for the Ballerz Select. For the Celtics, Mr. Basketball finalist Demario Williams was outstanding, pacing the game with 22 points. Raphael Gaskins had 13 for the Celtics. Williams was very, very impressive...

-Midstate Ballerz Elite 17u beat Tn Thunder 67-59

Ken Bingham and Juwon Long each scored 16 in a hard fought win over a very scrappy Thunder team. Deveyon Hunter had 11 and Jeff McCalain had 10 as the Ballerz again had four in double figures. Whites Creek's Wil Peters was nearly unstoppable for the Thunder, finishing with 34 points!!! No one else for the Thunder hit double digits, but Peters was a one man wrecking crew. Some top D-II schools are sleeping on this unsigned senior!!!

-Midstate Ballerz Elite 16u beat Tn Thunder 16u by around 30 on their way to a 5-0 tourney

-Tn Tigers 15u made it all the way to the championship game against the Ballerz, and finished the tourney with their only two losses to the Ballerz. The Tigers were very talented and very well coached

-Not sure most of the details on 15u games, but I know Brentwood Grizzlies won it all, beating the Stars, Celtics (I think), and Ballerz (I know that game was by 3)...

The Ballerz Elite 17u beat the Celtics 17s 79-74... Very good game between two of the best teams in the state. I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk on here about the game or about the tourney... The Ballerz jumped out to a large lead in the first half, only to have the Celtics come back in the second half. For the Celtics, Gerald Robinson was outstanding, leading the way with 18 points. Centennial's Lamont Harris also played very well, with a number of blocked shots and boards. Jaime Grahm hit two tough shots early, but was very quiet after that...

For the Ballerz, Juwon Long was also outstanding, running the point, scoring, defending, and getting his teammates involved. Riverdale's Kevin Smith led the way with 17 points, and paved the way for a breakout summer. Long had 11, Fulton Co (KY)'s Jeff McClain had 10, as did McNairy's Ken Bingham, sleeper Brighton PG Cataurius Taylor had 9, and Hamilton's Deveyon Hunter had 7 in a balanced scoring effort... Lexington's Reggie Bomar and Liberty's Antwan Long each had 6, and Mt. Juliet's Jeremy Dixon and Liberty's Josh Sain also scored for the Ballerz...

Very intense game between two very good teams...