Ballerz South Gather Challenge of Champions Crown

sam watson.jpg

Balanced scoring made for outstanding efforts as the Mid-State Ballerz South squad got by the Alabama Lasers 16's to capture the Challenge of Champions title 92-79. Deonte Alexander (Glencliff) led the balanced scoring brigade with 21. Alexander was solid all week averaging close to 18 points per contest.

Also filling up the scoring column for the Ballerz, Skylar McBee (Grainger) with 19, "Stat-Man Nathan Parker (Bearden) added 12 and big Sam Watson (Farragut) finished with 11.

The Lasers also had a balanced attack led by some Tennessee flavor. Josh Langford (Alabama) was tops in scoring with 22. This talented sophomore is certainly a player to keep an eye on down the road. Joining Langford in the scoring column the Siegel pair of Kerry Hammonds and Marc Gooch chipped in with 18 and 12 points respectively.

Hammonds played very well all weekend and has improved his game. He showed deft touch with the jumper and was explosive putting the ball on the deck and going hard to the glass. He has added strength and is injury free, this summer will be huge as he moves up in the Class of 2010.

In the semi-final games the Ballerz South dispatched of the Ballerz 16's 91-67. Watson led with 18, while Parker added 16 and Alexander dropped 15. Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) led the 16's with 16 while Thomas Greer (West Carroll) and Keneal Windon (JCM) contributed 16 and 11.

The Ballerz 16's advanced to the semi-finals on a tough last second victory over Team Memphis.  Denarius Smith (Kenwood) put in an offensive rebound to give the Ballerz the victory. Team Memphis showed well with exciting new stars like 6'4 athletic marvel Walter Davis (Southwind) and big tough point guard Eric Watson (Mississippi), who exploded for 30 in a quarterfinal victory.

In the other semi-final the Lasers behind 13 from Marc Gooch slipped past the Ballerz North squad 65-55. The North got 20 from Eric Mosley (Indiana) and 10 from Jamarious Alderson (Clarksville Northeast).

The Challenge took a major hit in the opening round with Top 100 player Reginald Buckner (Manassas) turning his ankle in the opening game. This event really put a strain on the Memphis Hoopers squad the remainder of the tourney. Buckner was incredible in his short stint on the hardwood. He took everyone off the dribble, dunked in numerous grills and handed out more rejections than Jessica Alba.

Middle Tennessee Magic 52

Ballerz Central 44

In the Gold Division championship game the Middle Tennessee Magic unveiled the twins and got by the Ballerz Central squad 52-44. Malcolm and Martin Smith (Clarksville Academy) did much work in the title game finishing with 9 apiece and leading a very balanced attack to the 'ship. Malcolm was huge in an earlier pool game dropping 28 while Martin, Zavion Williams (Clarksville Northeast) and Daijon Williams (?) showed the wealth of bright young talent in the Clarksville area.

E.J. Perry (Westmoreland) and Ricky Parks (Liberty Tech) led the Ballerz scoring with 10 and 9 respectively.

Adding to this sentiment a couple of other players rising junior Telvin James (Clarksville Northeast) and rising sophomore Anthony Hickey (Clarksville Northeast), who both played for the Gateway Express give even more credence to the young Clarksville mystique.

 

Top Player and All-Tourney selections will be posted tomorrow.