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Home  News Latest 16 And Under State Preview
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16 And Under State Preview |
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Written by Andre Whitehead
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Friday, 09 June 2006 |
A quick look at this weekends state 16 and under tourney.
With July looming around the corner, the state AAU's come to a crashing halt with the final age group taking the court at Goodpasture in Nashville. Before the action even takes place a shuffling of the participants dominates the headlines.
Some news good...Some news bad...
Teams from the Bluff City seem to be dropping from the lineup like flies, leaving the tourney with only seven teams for an eight team event. To stave off a complete disaster the powers that be were able to convince the 15 and under state champs to slide into one of the vacated spots. The Tennessee Tigers addition could potentially provide fans from the Volunteer state the opportunity to see the potential match-up of two of the most hyped squads in recent memory.
The Memphis YOMCA (War Eagles) have staked claim to the moniker of the top 15 and under squad despite the fact they play predominently 16 and under events. So if things fall like they may we could see this dream game materialize on Sunday in either the semi's or the finals.
I know...I heard it also...That grumbling sound coming from the likes of the Mid-State Ballerz Elite, Tennessee Thunder, Knoxville Cagers and Chattanooga Warriors. These squads think no such game will happen and they intend to prove this to the masses.
Pool A will feature the Ballerz,Cagers,Tigers and one of the Memphis teams. As of this writing we are not sure which Memphis squad will not be making the trip, either the one from Pool A or Pool B. The Ballerz have played up and down for the past few weeks playing short-handed on occassion but showing promise with huge victories after less than sterling performances in games they were expected to dominate. The Ballerz will be without Tyrone Caldwell (Clarksville) who is still nursing his ankle injury, but will welcome back Kevin Giltner (Harpeth) and the Mississippi crew of Latavious Williams and Justin Hearn. The Ballerz have the potential to run away with this tourney, but which team will show up and when. The Ballerz will be led as usual by Scottie Hopson (Kentucky), Tyshaun Edmondson (Kentucky), Josh Henley (Hunter's Lane), Tyler Cutter (Seigel) and John Primm (Dickson County). The Cagers have potential to spring an upset with good team effort and hustle. They are led by Riley Hundley (Farragut), Ryan Walden (Knoxville Catholic),Skyler McBee (Rutledge) and Grant Gasper (Loudon). The newcomer to the Pool the Tennessee Tigers bring their leader and heartbeat Taverus Jefferson (Ensworth), Gary Pope (Ensworth), Zeke Mason (Davidson Academy) and Marcus Cantrell (Maplewood).
Pool B will feature the host squad the Tennessee Thunder. The Nashville boys trot out Kyle Upton (Antioch), Marcus Jefferson (Lavergne), Michael Williams (Antioch) and Jeremy Williamson (Antioch. The winners of the East sub-state the Chattanooga Warriors have tough and athletic young talent and the War Eagles will be the team that commands the attention of the fans. The Memphis bunch will feature Leslie McDonald (Briarcrest), Farrakhan Hall (MUS),Marquette Murrell (White Station),Gentry Hines (Raleigh-Egypt) and Gregory Wooten (Briarcrest).
I hope to see everyone at Goodpasture on Saturday. I will make the trip to see the action. |
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