Four games proved to be just a bit too much.

The Mid-State Ballerz squad started the day on a big note beating Blessed IJN to capture their pool.

For their reward they were given the extra game and easily defeated Inner Strength with Nathan Parker (Bearden) scoring 17 and Chase Jones (Austin East) adding 14.

Ok guys great job now you've got 45 minutes and oh by the way here come the United Celtics. Huge and talented this appeared the end of the Ballerz run, a final four appearance in a major event not bad....hold on my friends not so fast.

Nathan Parker starts dropping threes, mid range jumpers, putbacks, and grabs boards, blocks shots and becomes Stat-Man. The Knoxville rising senior finishes with 25 points and Skylar McBee (Grainger) goes on a three point barrage to finish with 22 and the Ballerz dismantle the Celtics 72-59.

Big plays from everyone on the roster including Deonte Alexander (Glencliff), Davell Lloyd (Westview), Sam Watson (Farragut) and Charles Taylor (Humboldt).

Chase Jones (Austin East) and his twin brother Chance Jones (Austin East) both put their best foot forward and made this tourney their own.

After three tough games the championship against a very good Birmingham Ice squad awaits them on the horizon.

A tough effort but in the end the legs give out and the Ballerz fall 70-65 in the title game. Chance finishes as top scorer with 14 and Chase adds 13 in the losing effort.

Nathan Parker did nothing but make his recruitment a tough job with his effort in front of a host of mid-majors who now include him as a must get. His length and ability to guard, finish at the rim and hit the mid range shot make him a no brainer.

Skylar McBee put on a shooting display in front of numerous coaches and now will feel the wrath of his mailman as he recieves letters and cards from coahes and staffs across the Southeast.

The Jones twins also established themselves as hot recruits with their efforts on both ends of the floor.

This team played hard and seems to love playing together. Their chemistry is outstanding and made for a wonderful tourney atmosphere.

One of the nations top gridiron stars is not half bad on the hardwood.

Marlon Brown (Harding Academy) scored 23 points and helped lead the Memphis YOMCA past Team Melo 76-63 in the morning game at the Peach Jam.

Brown was spectacular with tough drives to the hoop, baseline jumpers and tough putbacks on the offensive glass.

Joining Brown in the scoring column rising sophomore sensation Chris Jones (Melrose) and Ian Clark (Germantown) finished with 11 apiece. Ferrakohn Hall (White Station) added 10.

Not to be upstaged by big brother the YOMCA Memphis Bulldogs dominated the court lassoing Team Texas 69-43 in the 16 and under division.

Darrian Gray (Wooddale) led the scoring with 14 including a couple threes. Robert Schaeffer (Sheffield) was the only other Bulldog is double digits.

Action gets back underway tomorrow.

2008 Peach State Summer Showcase wherever you look you see ballerz, Mid-State Ballerz that is.

The South, North, East and 16's all have ascended upon Augusta to see how they stack up against a pretty stout field of hoopers.

I got to observe the Mid-State Ballerz North eek out a tough double overtime victory against the Georgia Hurricanes. Collin Crane (Karns) was awesome scoring 26 including big shots down the stretch in regulation and the extra period. Josh Odom (Science Hill) dropped 21 and has been the leading scorer throughout the tourney at around 25 per contest.

Solid effort on both ends of the floor by Jamarious Alderson (Clarksville Northeast) and Demarious Smith (Kenwood), a rising junior playing up this weekend.

I was also able to witness the mid-State Ballerz South annilihate a Topps Sports squad by almost 40 points. Everyone played well and was in the scoring column. Skylar McBee (Grainger), Nathan Parker (Bearden) and Deonte Alexander (Glencliff) have drawn the coaching crowds with their play. Chase Jones (Austin East) has played sterling this entire event including today. He was the leading scorer in an earlier victory and was good on both ends of the floor today.

I was not able to see the Mid-State Ballerz East but found out from numerous onlookers that they have performed very well. Their usual suspects Trey Carrouthers (Harpeth), Tevin Crayton (Humboldt) and Tyler Edwards (Oakland) are always consistent. They have gotten a big lift from Dustin Baxter (Upperman) who has played his way onto the notepads of many coaches in attendance. Ben Mixer (Farragut) has also been a surprise with his effort and hard work.

Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) has been the big dog for the 16's averaging in excess of 27 points per game inlcuding a big 34 against the Carolina Raptors. Thomas Greer (West Carroll) and Cordaro Williams (Liberty Tech) have'nt shot as well as normal but have not lacked in the effort department.

 

Think July is not busy, then riddle me this.

The Mid-State Ballerz made a quick trip over to the Atlantic Slam event in Myrtle Beach and before they could even get their bearings it's off to the Peach State Summer Showcase in Augusta.

Very good idea by the organizers of this event having another laternative with all the coaches in Augusta for the Paech Jam.

At the Atlantic Slam the mid-State Ballerz South behind excellent play from Skylar McBee (Grainger), Charles Taylor (Humboldt) and Nathan "Stat-Man" Parker (Bearden) finished 2-2 against a surprisingly tough field. They head to Augusta battle tested and with the services of point man Deonte Alexander (Glencliff) who missed the earlier event with family issues.

The Mid-State Ballerz North completed their tour of Myrtle Beach also 2-2 and recieved quality effort from Josh Odom (Science Hill), Jamal Lundy (Austin East) and Collin Crane (Karns). worth noting 16 and under star Demarius Smith (Kenwood) played up with the North squad at this event and was outstanding including a 29 points effort in the opening game.

The Ballerz East squad also showed their merit by finishing 2-1 and gaining confidenece for their trek through Augusta. Trey Carruthers (Harpeth), Tevin Crayton (Humboldt) and Dustin Baxter (Upperman) all had outstanding efforts in the Slam.

All three Ballerz squads and their 16's will be in action at Augusta.

Coaches line the sidelines, scout scribble notes on tattered papers and teams scratch and claw to get to the victory stand.

Must be time for the Nike Peach Jam.

Augusta, Georgia is the site for the annual event featuring the top Nike programs in the country.

Memphis will have one representative in both the 17 and 16 and under age groups with the Memphis YOMCA and YOMCA Memphis Bulldogs ready to officially get July underway.

The Memphis YOMCA start action on Saturday playing without Leslie McDonald (Braircrest Christian), who was selected to the USA Basketball U18 squad. Don't fret for the Y they still have a boatload of talent starting with Ferrakohn Hall (White Station), Johnnie Williams (Braircrest Christian), Marlon Brown (Harding Academy), Corderio Macklin (Ridgeway) and Ian Clark (Germantown).

Jumping down to the 16 and under squad the YOMCA Memphis Bulldogs bring a stout lineup to the dance with new addition Travai Pryor (Austin East). The talented rising junior will join Nicholas Mason (Fairley), Ronald Brown (Raleigh-Egypt), Tyler Stone (Memphis Central) and Julian Burton (White Station) to form a darn good squad that will represent the state quite well.

I also will make the trip to Augusta to watch this event.

July is in full effect and the next stop on the caravan of hoops, the 3rd annual Battle at the Bluff begins this Sunday and runs through Tuesday the 15th.

The games will take place at Finch Center on the University of Memphis Campus, Christian Brothers University and the Memphis Grizzlies Athletic Center.

For more inforamtion on the event check out www.ydahoops.com.

The state is well represented at the Battle. Teams include:

Memphis Pacers:

The Pacers feature the Real Thing Joe Jackson (White Station) and emerging big man Tarik Black (Ridgeway).

Memphis Hoopers

Can't have an event in Memphis without representation from the Hoopers. Reginald Buckner (Manassas), the recent Ole Miss commitment, is the main attraction but Coach Harold has some other fine players on the squad including John David Little (Mississippi), Josh Wilkerson (Progressive Christian) and Tonye Smith (Progressive Christian).

Team Memphis-SBDR

Playing an age group up this team has some good solid players including Eric Watson (Mississippi), Walter Davis (Southwind), Johnny Dunavent (Bolton), and Clay Hillard (Bartlett).

Nashville Celtics

Fresh off a solid performance at the adidas take 5 classic, the Celtics are deep and talented. Led Kentucky signee Jon Hood (Kentucky), Drew Kelly (Centennial), Drew Barham (CBHS) and Class of 2010 top 100 national player Casey Prather (Jackson Northside).

Tennessee YOMCA Tigers

Rounding back into full roster form the Tigers are currently tearing up the Kentucky Hoopfest and will make the mad dash over to Memphis.  John "Silk" Jenkins (Station Camp), fresh off an outstanding Lebron James Skills Academy weekend, is loaded and ready for action. Look for big weeks from Gabriel Campbell (Bearden), Gary Pope (Ensworth) and Joshua Lee (Maplewood).

Memphis Idlewild Wildcats and Nashville Stallions are also listed on the roster of participating teams.

The Nashville Celtics completed a solid adidas take5 Classic tourney finishing 2-2 and drawing numerous coaches for a serious courtside view.

Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) was one of the feature attractions and the young man did nothing to disappoint. Prather, who has scored offers from the likes of Virginia, Southern Illinois, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, showed his athletic prowess and explosive gifts while performing for the masses in Cincinnati.

His efforts along with steady and exciting Kentucky signee Jon Hood (Kentucky) helped push the 17's to a successful run. Drew Barham (CBHS) showed his versatility by dropping 19 in an earlier victory and Drew Kelly (Centennial) was a success inside, grabbing boards and outside knocking down a few treys along the way.

The 16 and under Celtics finished the event 1-3 but played hard and well against some very tough competition. Ish Sanders (Cleveland) continued to show he could score against any defenders and Meiko Lyles (NCA) was a steady force throughout the week.

Also playing well for the 16's Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central) and Mitchell Hill (Cookeville).

Exciting events happening for the Celtics 15 and under squad as they advanced to the semi's of the silver bracket. Tyler Rice (Wayne County) drew a great deal of praise for his consitent efforts and big time scoring ability. Kendall "Ant2" Anthony (Liberty Tech) was a pleasure to watch with his all-out hustle and ability to run the show for his team.