Midstate Ballerz at 17:u AAU Nationals

[gomab2]

Well, I'm back........

 

The Midstate Ballerz did well, but came up a little "short" at 17:u AAU Nationals this past week in Orlando, FL....

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The Ballerz went 3-3 for the tourney, losing in the Sweet 16 of the Classic Bracket to Shaumburg 1st Class (IL).

-In Pool Play, the Ballerz started off against "2" seed, Texas G.A.T.A. The Ballerz played great for 3 quarters, going into the fourth with a 15 point lead, only to blow it, and lose on a Last-second shot...

-Nike Team Texas Elite was up next. This is one of the very best teams in the Nation. We played them tooth and nail, though giving up tons of height, before bowing down, 65-58 (while shooting just 20-70 from the field)...

-The Ballerz beat Hampton Roads II 70-61 in the final game of pool play, surviving Hampton Roads two 6'9 posts...

-The first round of the Classic brought about a tough Cinncinati AAU White team. In probably our second best game of the tourney, we won 62-49...

-The second round brought a very good Maine Hoops team (who had beaten a great Jax Lee Bulls team one round earlier). After getting down 19-7, we came back for a 73-70 nail biter...

-Then our finale came, at the hands of Shaumburg 1st Class (IL) 64-58, in a game we came into overconfident and uninspired...

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This could have been a SPECIAL tourney for us.....but we could not find the bucket all tourney long. With a lineup of great perimiter play and outside shooters, we shot just 39% from the field (152-387), 27% from downtown (39-145), and 54% from the line (42-77). Even with our poor shooting, which led to just 64.3 ppg (to opponents 62.3 ppg), we got after it defensively with a variety of relentless presses, full and half. Anyone that claims that AAU brings about lack of defense should have watched an amazing battle both ways vs Team Texas Elite.....

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-Mike Sampson (Kenwood HS) was outstanding all Tourney long, leading the team in scoring (11.5 ppg), rebounding (6.5 rpg), and FG % (60.0%), while playing on the wing...

-Wadele Williams (Columbia) averaged 10.8 ppg and 4.2 apg...

-Brian Fisk (Dyer Co) may have been the best player on the floor, playing relentlessly on the defensive end, and averaging 8.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg...

-Ricky Harper (Howard) played himself into a bunch of D-1 looks with outstanding penetration and defense, along with 8.3 ppg and 6.2 apg, including shutting down Team Texas star (top 15 nationally ranked Jr) Jason Horton...

-LaBrian Lyons (Riverdale) averaged 7.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg, while playing great ball as an underclassman...

-Montrelle Crittendon (Dyer Co) had a tough time shooting the rock, averaging 5.3 ppg...

-Ben Britt (Red Bank) chipped in 4.6 ppg in his first tourney...

-Antwon Harris (Kenwood), Jamar Jenkins (Forrest), Antonio Mitchell (Dyer Co), Richard Delk (Jackson NS), and Reginald Delk (Jackson NS) also contributed...

[Stokomo]

Congrats to you Gomab...Even though you didn't like your outcome, you run a classy team.

[cheerin4DC]

Gomab2, I really wish that ya'll could have won the Nationals, however I am confident that you had a team that did not let up at any time. "THANK YOU" SO MUCH for giving BRIAN FISK some credit. I don't feel that Brian gets the credit and PRAISE that he DESERVES. It is good to see him get it.

[hoopscoopdre]

I have been trying to get you I know you've been busy. I hope your doing well and sorry about your outcome, but hang in there the next class is super. Email me when you get the chance Andre

[Bballmike]

Thanks for doing such a great job and taking the team to the Nationals. I know the boys played hard and they are happy to had the oppertunity to play.

Thanks from Mike's mom.

[RoyDMercer]

Huh??

[tm]

hey coach this is wadale friend and he said thanks for everything you have done for and give him a call