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.

Wanna see some good hoops this weekend then jump in the ride and make the short trip a bit past Nashville to Dickson and locate Dickson County High School which will play host to the 2008 Mid-State Ballerz Challenge of Champions.

Another loaded tourney featuring teams from East, Middle and West Tennessee.

Pool A is a strong field featuring Skylar McBee (Grainger), Deonte Alexander (Glencliff), Sam Watson (Farragut) and Chase and Chance Jones (Austin East) representing the Mid-State Ballerz South. Reginald Buckner (Manassas), Lewis Jones (Carver) and Lemelvis Davis (Wooddale) suiting up for the Memphis Hoopers and Joe Jackson (White Station), Zach Jones (Craigmont) and Tarik Black (Ridgeway) hoopin for the Memphis Pacers.

Pool B features the Team Hoopsters led by Ashlon Adams (Science Hill), Justin Sylvester (Dobyns Bennett) and Josh Odem (Science Hill). The Mid-State Ballerz North who feature D'Alvin Brown (Covington), Tyler Cross (Anderson County) and Colin Crane (Knoxville Karns).  The Tennessee Hornets complete this pool.

The Tennessee Blue Devils with Tyler Clark (Oak Ridge), Chris Poteet (Campbell County) and Tucker Trent (Oak Ridge) head up Pool C along with the Tennessee Heat and Ballerz White.

Pool D has Gateway Express, the Chattanooga Warriors and the Mid-State Ballerz West 16's who feature Demarius Smith (Kenwood), Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) and Jacob Lloyd (Westview).

Over in Pool E the Alabama Lasers, who I understand feature Kerry Hammonds (Siegel), the Memphis Hoopers 16's and East Tennessee Magic will battle for bracket play positioning.

Team Memphis heads up Pool F along with Team Hoopsters 16's  and Robert Boyd (Fulton) and the Tennessee Stormriders.

Pool G will consist of mostly 16's and 15's as will Pool H.

Pool G

Mid-State Ballerz Central

Middle Tennessee Magic

The Club 16

Tennessee Edge

Pool H

Mid-State Ballerz 15's

Memphis Hoopers 15's

Clarksville Stars

The Club 15

Look forward to seeing everyone in Dickson on Saturday.

Show Me is the state motto for Missouri.

The Tennessee Travelers did exactly that with the 17's losing a tough one in the finals against powerful Athlete's First and the 16's moving into the round of 4 before falling.

Joe Meady (Knoxville Carter) continues his ascendance up the Class of 2009 charts with another solid performance despite a bad ankle. Meady has great size and his upside is tremendous. His effort has been consistent all summer and his added confidence makes him a legit prospect.

As usual the guards stole the show for the Travelers especially the work of the underclassmen. Jalen Steele (Fulton) and Emmanuel Andrews (Shelbyville) turned many heads with their aggressive style. Steele has pushed his stock into the high major category and is feeling the attention of that move.

Also drawing some attention for their work were James Gallman (Fulton) and Kyle Teichman (Brentwood).

The 16's advanced to the final four before ending their weekend but had a magnificent performance from Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist). A scouting associate at the event told me Herman was tremendous as a scoring point and combo guard. He was virtually unguardable.

Playig weel inside and on the wing for the 16's Tyler Hood (Lenoir City), Dwight Tarwater (Knoxville Webb) and Fred Sturdivant (Brainerd). Hood drew the attention of my scouting assosciate with his ability to face up at the four spot and use his length and skill to his advantage.

Welcome to Atlanta where the players play.

The Nashville Celtics players played well, with the 16's advancing to the semi-finals before falling to the powerful King James squad at the 3rd annual Wallace Prather Memorial Classic.

The 17's finished 2-1 in pool play got a victory in bracket play before falling in a close one.

Balance as always was the Celtics credo and this tourney would prove no different. Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) continues his ascendance up the Class of 2010 national charts with a steady weekend. Drew Barham (CBHS) continues to see his star shine bright with strong efforts in front of the right people. Other Celtics who drew praise include Drew Kelly (Centennial), Ricky Williams (Liberty Tech), Patrick Shaughnessy (Grace Baptist) and Gregg Wooten (Braircrest Christian).

Exciting news for Tennessee hoops fans is the name DeAndre Daniels. The 6'8 newcomer is moving into Tennessee and is playing with the Celtics. The youngster can score from inside and out and is Class of 2010. He knocked in 22 points in the quarterfinal loss to Worldwide Renegades. 

In the 16 and under division the younger Celts finished 5-1 and continue to show marked improvement as a team. Ish Sanders (Cleveland) turned in another solid weekend with his scoring ability and improved overall play. Steady Meiko Lyles (NCA) just continues to do his thing while Levon Tate (Siegel) had himself a nice tourney on both ends of the floor. The Cetlics continue to be impressed by the workings of Cody Henegar (Marion County). Praised for his aggressive work around the bucket this young man is certainly on my radar (Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, I will see him there).

Also advancing out of pool play Team Nashville turned some heads with a good weekend of action. The Nashville crew finished 2-2 getting out of pool play before falling to those Celtics in the first round of bracket play by 7.

Marquis Rudolph (Clarksville Northwest) had a very good weekend playing well in every game. Also sighted for their impressive games Adrian Williamson (Hume Fogg) continues his offensive board onslaught and improved offensive reportiore. Jonathan Williams (Rossview), Terrance Davis (Antioch) and newcomer Tereas Clemmons (Wilson Central) played well in certain games.

Inuries beset the Tennessee YOMCA Tigers first with Zaccheus Mason (CPA) unable to make the trip due to injury things got worse when Taverres Jefferson (Ensworth) hurt his ankle in the opening minute of the first game.

The Tigers finished pool play 1-2 behind some stellar scoring from Vanderbilt commit John Jenkins (Station Camp). The reigning Mr. Basketball poured in 29 in the early game. The Bearden duo of Blake Jenkins and Demonte Simpson both played well with double digit scoring throughout the tourney. Hunter Miller (CPA) and Gabriel Campbell (Bearden) were mentioned as having solid weekends as well.

The 3rd annual Wallace Prather Memorial Classic gets underway this weekend and honors one of the pioneers of summer basketball. Wallace Prather was the patriarch of one of the most successful summer basketball dynastys of all time, the Atlanta Celtics.

It is only fitting he be honored with this competitive basketball classic. He was a friend and is still very much missed.

The 17 and under division is rich with Tennessee talent in the various pools.

In Pool B the Memphis Pacers led by Joe Jackson (White Station) do battle with among other Team Breakdown for bracket positioning.

Over in Pool C The Tennessee YOMCA Tigers battle the Worldwide Renegades and Birmingham Blaze. The Tigers are led by John Jenkins (Station Camp), Taverres Jefferson (Ensworth), Demonte Simpson (Bearden) and Zaccheus Mason (CPA).

Team Nashville participates in Pool F with the Smyrna Stars and Arkansas Hawks. TN top hoopers include Adrian Williamson (Hume Fogg), Jonathan Williams (Rossview) and Marquis Rudolph (Clarksville Northwest).

Moving on to Pool H the Nashville Celtics-Tidwell will participate with the Georgia Blazers and Birmingham Ice.

Pool I gives us a double dose of Tennessee flavor with the Memphis Hoopers and Tennessee Bearcats. Hoopers will have Reginald Buckner (Manassas) for this event. Buckner recently was offered by Missouri and adds the Tigers to his ever growing list which includes Ole Miss, SEMO, UTEP, MTSU, Bradley and North Texas.

Pool J brings the Tennessee Thunder against the juggernaut Atlanta Celtics and Birmingham Storm.

Finally in Pool K, the Nashville Celtics battle the likes of Hoop Plant and Smyrna Stars Gold. Celtics are led by Drew Kelly (Centennial), Casey Prather (Jackson Northside), Patrick Shaughnessy (Grace Baptist) and newly added Gregg Wooten (Briarcrest Christian).

In the 16 and under division the lone Tennessee rep Nashville Celtics are led to the court by Meiko Lyles (NCA) and Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central).

The 15 and under division will feature the Nashville Celtics, Memphis Select and Memphis Select Black.

So you think you can hoop?    Show Me they would say in Missouri.

The Tennessee Travelers will compete in the Show Me Invitational in St. Louis this weekend.

In the 17 and under division the Travs will tangle with one of the nation's top teams, Athletes First; as well as, other tough squads. The 17's will be led by the Fulton duo of James Gallman and Jalen Steele. Both young men fresh off the state tourney title are playing with ultra confidence and are seemingly the talk of the town. Another Knoxville product Joe Meady (Carter) turned some heads a few weeks ago with his effort and all eyes will be upon him to duplicate that effort.

Another underclassman making some noise for the Travs is 6'5 rising junior Robert wade (Maplewood). His athleticism is shining through and people have begun to take notice.

Down in the 16's the Travs will be led by Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist). The 5'10 rising junior is playing very consistent ball and turning many heads with his play on both ends of the floor. Also expected to have big weekends Tyler Hood (Lenoir City), D'Angelo Williams (Spring Hill) and Fred Sturdivant (Brainerd).

Mid-State Ballerz 71

ET Blue Devils 42

An East Tennessee flavor was felt by the crowd at the Eastern 17 and Under sub-state as Chance Jones (Austin East) 20 points, Nathan Parker (Bearden) 19 points and Skyler McBee (Grainger) with 14 led the Mid-State Ballerz South to an impressive victory over the Blue Devils.

The Blue Devil played their way to the title game with a come from behind victory against Team Hoopsters. Tucker Trent (Oak Ridge) led the scoring for the Devils with 13. Tyler Clark (Oak Ridge) who was huge in the semi-final victory finished with 9.

For the tourney the Ballerz were led in scoring by McBee at around 18 per game including 23 in the semi-final win against the Ballerz North squad. Deonte Alexander (Glencliff) had a very productive weekend finishing around 16 pwer game and Parker had another fantastic weekend with his all around skills. Sam Watson (Farragut) had a huge game on Saturday finishing with 22 points and showing solid improvement all weekend.

In the consolation game, Team Hoopsters behind 25 large from Ashlon Adams (Science Hill) held on to defeat the Mid-State Ballerz North squad 95-92 in overtime.

The Ballerz advanced to overtime on a clutch buzzer beater by D'Alvin Brown (Covington).

For the Hoopsters Josh Odom (Science Hill) scored 19 and Larry Smith (Science Hill) and Justin Sylvester (Dobyns Bennett) added 14. Sylvester finished 12 of 12 from the foul, line including clutch shots down the stretch.

DeAndre Mensah (Kentucky) led the North with 19. Derek Walker (Covington) added 16, while Jamal Lundy (Austin East) and Terence Williams (Brighton) finished with 12 and 11 respectively.

Knoxville Panthers 83

Knoxville Heat 57

The Panthers behind 19 points apiece from Cory Billingsley (Sweetwater) and Tyrece Irons (Oak Ridge) defeated the Heat to represent the East at the 15 and Under state tourney in Memphis a couple of weeks from now.

Phillip Stanford (Knoxville West) added 10 in the victory.

Leading the Heat were Jerrell Davis (?) and Micah Pitchford (Fulton) with 21 and 9 respectively.