The SIP's State Tournaments are now complete! Congratulations to all the winners from age 12 to 17. Coach Lemond Roy, who is the state director for MS did an outstanding job over the last 4 weeks, and he and his family are to be commended for their hard work and effort!
First, the 12U champions are the MBA Elite. They defeated the Vicksburg Magic 51-33, going undefeated (4-0) in the tournament. This group of young men will be special if they stay together as a team.
The 13U state champs are the Meridian Youth Basketball team. They also went unbeaten in pool and tournament play (4-0). They defeated the Jackson Gators 45-30 in the championship game. The NE MS Ballerz finished 3rd after the MBA Hoops team was disqualified from participating in the 3rd place game.
The MBA Hoops are the 14U state champs, defeating the Meridian Youth Basketball team 48-41 in the championship game. I guess you can say a measure of revenge was received by the MBA 14U team led by Tamon Howard, after the 13U group was defeated by the same organization. The Delta Travelers finished 3rd, defeating the Red Storm by 1 point, 51-50.
The powerhouse Jackson Tigers 15U team cruised to the state championship, beating a game Lighthouse team 70-57 in the championship. The Lighthouse and the Jackson Panthers was the only teams who came within single digits of the Tigers. The Tigers, led by Tyler Adams, 6'9 Center from Brandon High, and Mychal Ammons, 6'6 Wing from Vicksburg High, went 4-0 in this tournament. This team is loaded, with at least 6 future dandy dozen players. The MBA Hoops team finished third, defeating the Jackson Panthers 71-52.
The 16U State Champions are the Jackson Panthers Select, beating the Jackson Tigers 69-64 in the Gold medal game. Dundrecous Nelson led all scorers on this deep squad. The championship game reminded me of the England Soccer games where the crowd (in this case, parents) are rowdy and out of control. I know I may be stepping on toes with this statement, but we have to take a look at ourselves at games. I was a spectator (The ballers were eliminated in the semis) and the things I heard in the stands were terrible. We can't blame our youth for acting ignorant if they see us do the same thing! All in all, it was a great game that will further intensify this hated rivalry between arguably the two best AAU programs in the state of MS. The MS Ballers finished third by defeating the LA Red Storm 69-49.
The 17U State Champs are the MS Ballers 16U, winning by the points system because of a three way tie for 1st! The Ballers defeated the Jackson Tigers 89-76, and lost to the Jackson Panthers 80-70. However, the Jackson Tigers defeated the Jackson Panthers 80-63, giving the MS Ballers a one point spread. The games between the Ballers/Tigers/Panthers in both the 16U and 17U were worth the price of admission. The Ballers are easing their way up the ladder to make this a three team race for supremacy in MS. The Ballers were led by DeMarcus Lewis, 6'4 Forward Canton High, LeAntwan Luckett 6'4 Guard Ridgeland High, D J Evans, 5'7 Guard from Brandon High, and Trey Felder, 6'4 Guard from Murrah High, who had 31 points against the Tigers. Jeff Stubbs, 6'1 Guard from Ridgeland High returned to his old stomping grounds playing with the Ballers looking like old times! The Tigers finished second and the Panthers wound up third. The Panthers had at least 3 future Dandy Dozen players in Carl Blair, 6'3 guard Provine High (and my pick for top player of 2009), Emery Kelly, 6'6 Forward Provine High, Chris Brand, 6'9 Forward formally of Starkville High and Isaiah Canaan, 6-1 Guard Biloxi High, one of CCB's top ten players for 2009. The Tigers were also loaded with 5-10 Andre Stringer, guard Forest Hill, possibly the best player NOW in MS, 6'8 Forward Rashard Perkins Starkville High, who was hobbled by a leg injury, 6'9 Center Tyler Adams Brandon High, who flat played like a monster these last two weeks, and those were just the SOPHOMORES on this team! Jalen Courtney, 6'8 Forward from Provine High has LOADS of talent and potential, but he has to learn to bring it day in and day out. Dan Hicks, 6'9 Center from Oxford will be one to watch this year as well as his teammate at Oxford, 6'3 guard Keith Searcy.
NEWS AND NOTES:
The tournaments this year was more competitive than usual, with players getting better and taller! A lot of talent coming up from 12 years old and up, but I have been hearing more and more requests from parents who want to start their kids playing competitive ball at 10 years old! I say that's a good idea ONLY if we stress the importance of education at the same age! Actually, earlier than that, but you know what I mean.
I saw SEVERAL players over the past two weeks in the 16 and 17 divisions that will have a slim to no chance of playing Division 1 or Division II basketball, because of grades! This is ridiculous. And it's time to stop blaming coaches, parents, teachers, etc.. I coach AAU and I have personally told my players to bone up in class. My wife, as well as other parents and friends, has offered tutoring, and my brother in law was willing to drive them to whereever they need to go for the tutoring. No one has taken them up on their offer. If the players don't want it, how can you make them want it?
First off, parents, AND coaches, stop treating that player as if he/she is paying your mortgage! We get so caught up on the fact that our precious son/daughter can play pretty good, we are scared to upset them. That's bull. The reason most of these players don't give a damn about education is because they think they have already arrived! Keep stressing the importance of education by telling them what a lack of education will do, poor job, no chance of better job opportunities, lack of self esteem once the "cheerleaders" stop cheering you, and more. We have to do our part, but so do the young man/woman!
As far as top organizations go, the Jackson Tigers have to be considered as the top organization at this time, finishing 1st in the 15U division, and 2nd in the 16U AND 17U divisions. They are also a class organization led by Coach Larry Stamps, and his staff of Gerald Collier and Thandi Wade. Keep up the good work fellas!
The MBA Hoops organization is considered to be the program to beat in the younger division, winning the 12U and 14U championships, while also finishing 3rd in the 15U division. Congratulations go out to there organization as well.
The Tigers, Panthers and Ballers have all qualified for the Division I Nationals in Orlando FL in July. Let's wish them well and hope that represent the SIP in the big time!!
Til next time,
Peace
Coach
First, the 12U champions are the MBA Elite. They defeated the Vicksburg Magic 51-33, going undefeated (4-0) in the tournament. This group of young men will be special if they stay together as a team.
The 13U state champs are the Meridian Youth Basketball team. They also went unbeaten in pool and tournament play (4-0). They defeated the Jackson Gators 45-30 in the championship game. The NE MS Ballerz finished 3rd after the MBA Hoops team was disqualified from participating in the 3rd place game.
The MBA Hoops are the 14U state champs, defeating the Meridian Youth Basketball team 48-41 in the championship game. I guess you can say a measure of revenge was received by the MBA 14U team led by Tamon Howard, after the 13U group was defeated by the same organization. The Delta Travelers finished 3rd, defeating the Red Storm by 1 point, 51-50.
The powerhouse Jackson Tigers 15U team cruised to the state championship, beating a game Lighthouse team 70-57 in the championship. The Lighthouse and the Jackson Panthers was the only teams who came within single digits of the Tigers. The Tigers, led by Tyler Adams, 6'9 Center from Brandon High, and Mychal Ammons, 6'6 Wing from Vicksburg High, went 4-0 in this tournament. This team is loaded, with at least 6 future dandy dozen players. The MBA Hoops team finished third, defeating the Jackson Panthers 71-52.
The 16U State Champions are the Jackson Panthers Select, beating the Jackson Tigers 69-64 in the Gold medal game. Dundrecous Nelson led all scorers on this deep squad. The championship game reminded me of the England Soccer games where the crowd (in this case, parents) are rowdy and out of control. I know I may be stepping on toes with this statement, but we have to take a look at ourselves at games. I was a spectator (The ballers were eliminated in the semis) and the things I heard in the stands were terrible. We can't blame our youth for acting ignorant if they see us do the same thing! All in all, it was a great game that will further intensify this hated rivalry between arguably the two best AAU programs in the state of MS. The MS Ballers finished third by defeating the LA Red Storm 69-49.
The 17U State Champs are the MS Ballers 16U, winning by the points system because of a three way tie for 1st! The Ballers defeated the Jackson Tigers 89-76, and lost to the Jackson Panthers 80-70. However, the Jackson Tigers defeated the Jackson Panthers 80-63, giving the MS Ballers a one point spread. The games between the Ballers/Tigers/Panthers in both the 16U and 17U were worth the price of admission. The Ballers are easing their way up the ladder to make this a three team race for supremacy in MS. The Ballers were led by DeMarcus Lewis, 6'4 Forward Canton High, LeAntwan Luckett 6'4 Guard Ridgeland High, D J Evans, 5'7 Guard from Brandon High, and Trey Felder, 6'4 Guard from Murrah High, who had 31 points against the Tigers. Jeff Stubbs, 6'1 Guard from Ridgeland High returned to his old stomping grounds playing with the Ballers looking like old times! The Tigers finished second and the Panthers wound up third. The Panthers had at least 3 future Dandy Dozen players in Carl Blair, 6'3 guard Provine High (and my pick for top player of 2009), Emery Kelly, 6'6 Forward Provine High, Chris Brand, 6'9 Forward formally of Starkville High and Isaiah Canaan, 6-1 Guard Biloxi High, one of CCB's top ten players for 2009. The Tigers were also loaded with 5-10 Andre Stringer, guard Forest Hill, possibly the best player NOW in MS, 6'8 Forward Rashard Perkins Starkville High, who was hobbled by a leg injury, 6'9 Center Tyler Adams Brandon High, who flat played like a monster these last two weeks, and those were just the SOPHOMORES on this team! Jalen Courtney, 6'8 Forward from Provine High has LOADS of talent and potential, but he has to learn to bring it day in and day out. Dan Hicks, 6'9 Center from Oxford will be one to watch this year as well as his teammate at Oxford, 6'3 guard Keith Searcy.
NEWS AND NOTES:
The tournaments this year was more competitive than usual, with players getting better and taller! A lot of talent coming up from 12 years old and up, but I have been hearing more and more requests from parents who want to start their kids playing competitive ball at 10 years old! I say that's a good idea ONLY if we stress the importance of education at the same age! Actually, earlier than that, but you know what I mean.
I saw SEVERAL players over the past two weeks in the 16 and 17 divisions that will have a slim to no chance of playing Division 1 or Division II basketball, because of grades! This is ridiculous. And it's time to stop blaming coaches, parents, teachers, etc.. I coach AAU and I have personally told my players to bone up in class. My wife, as well as other parents and friends, has offered tutoring, and my brother in law was willing to drive them to whereever they need to go for the tutoring. No one has taken them up on their offer. If the players don't want it, how can you make them want it?
First off, parents, AND coaches, stop treating that player as if he/she is paying your mortgage! We get so caught up on the fact that our precious son/daughter can play pretty good, we are scared to upset them. That's bull. The reason most of these players don't give a damn about education is because they think they have already arrived! Keep stressing the importance of education by telling them what a lack of education will do, poor job, no chance of better job opportunities, lack of self esteem once the "cheerleaders" stop cheering you, and more. We have to do our part, but so do the young man/woman!
As far as top organizations go, the Jackson Tigers have to be considered as the top organization at this time, finishing 1st in the 15U division, and 2nd in the 16U AND 17U divisions. They are also a class organization led by Coach Larry Stamps, and his staff of Gerald Collier and Thandi Wade. Keep up the good work fellas!
The MBA Hoops organization is considered to be the program to beat in the younger division, winning the 12U and 14U championships, while also finishing 3rd in the 15U division. Congratulations go out to there organization as well.
The Tigers, Panthers and Ballers have all qualified for the Division I Nationals in Orlando FL in July. Let's wish them well and hope that represent the SIP in the big time!!
Til next time,
Peace
Coach
The SIP AAU State Tourney News and Notes