Day two of operation drive all over Indianapolis got off to a rousing start with a trip to Warren Central and a chance to watch the Tennessee Travelers 17 and under squad compete.
Due to a couple of teams deciding at the last minute not to show up the Travs were forced to play the same Shining Stars squad for the third time. After two beat downs yesterday, the Travs fell in a lackluster game 41-35. Lester "The Action Figure" Wilson (Carter) led the scoring with 14 points.
The Travelers had already clinched a spot as the top seed in the Gold division and proceeded to go ahead and win their first bracket game by 15 with some sterling play from Wilson, Rico White (Bearden), Galen Campbell (Fulton) and Brandon Lopez (Austin East).
Back in the car to watch the 16 and under Travelers put a whipping on the Indiana Dawgs 84-42, led by Jaylen Allen (Science Hill) with 17 markers. Cory Nelson (Grace Baptist) added 16; Malcolm St. Louis (Wilson Central) finished with 11 and Zach Howard (Science Hill) added 10 points.
Jack "The Natural" Montague (Brentwood) was sensational in the game scoring 8 points and dishing out double digit assists.
Jumping down to Court 3, the Knoxville Panthers met with one of the obvious tourney favorites the always powerful Queen City Prophets and hung tough till the end falling 91-76. Cory Billingsley (Sweetwater) led the Panthers with 16 points on some tough lefty drives to the cup and played very good defense. Dustin Clarke (North Carolina) finished with 13 points for the Panthers.
Nathaniel Hughes (Hampton) added 9 points, Skyler Brown (Seymour) finished with 8 in the loss.
Back on the road to find the Tennessee Team Hustle who won their second games yesterday behind 18 points from Spencer Peake (Bearden) and some solid inside work from Phillip Stevens (Knoxville Catholic).
Finding them at the 10 minute mark of the first half the Hustle went on to blast the Spiece Gymrats 82-70 behind the leadership of Dion Fair (Bearden). The little dude controlled the tempo and was vital in providing the set-up for Ty Greene (Bearden), who finished with 16 points as did his high school chum Peake, who also netted 16 points. Jon McCroskey (Gatlinburg-Pittman) added 14 points in the win.
The Hustle were relentless on the glass behind Alan Holt (Anderson County), Joey Boedwig (Knoxville Catholic), Stevens and Garrett Buckner (Gatlinburg-Pittman).
My final game brought me back with the Travelers 16's, as myself and my handy GPS, could not find the venue to see the Tennessee Travelers 15's.
Braylen "Vitamin B" Bennett (Carter) brought his A-game scoring 21 points but got little help as the Travelers fell to the Wisconsin Blizzard 58-51.
The Tennessee Tigers 15 and under squad is doing damage in the Circle City sweeping their pool games and busting out with an easy victory in their opening bracket action.
High praise was given for JeQuan Lewis (Dickson County) who has simply run roughshod all over these unsuspecting Midwestern kids. C.J. McEwen (DCA) has played especially well finishing everything with his superior strength. Kesler Bell (FRA) was sighted for his contributions thus far and super rising freshman Jalen Lindsey (CPA) has shown moments of absolute perfection.
Heading back tomorrow to the adidas Invitational for their bracket conclusions the Memphis Select started the day off right besting the Indy Spiece 77-71 in overtime. Robert Houston (Craigmont) continues to be a topic of much conversation among college coaches with his shooting and running of the show. Demarc Richardson (Braircrest Christian) and Dierre McElroy (Raleigh-Egypt) provided steady scoring and above average defense intensity. Also sighted for playing well Tim Allen (Whitehaven), Rodnerius Lewis (Overton) and Octavious Ellis (Whitehaven).
John Ross Glover (USJ) has been putting on a show the rising junior is leading the Nashville Celtics to a huge game tomorrow morning with big brother, yes the famed Atlanta Celtics. Glover has provided steady scoring and board work leading the Celtics to an unblemished mark thus far after two successful pool victories then a 15 point crashing of the Florida Rams followed by a close one point win over the Derek Smith All-Stars.
Daijon Williams (Clarksville) picked up right where he left off the other night draining threes with consistency and depth. David Howard (MBA) has put his big body to work scoring the tough inside buckets and working a much better program on the glass, his play will be vital against the powerful Atlanta group.
Kendall Anthony (Liberty Tech) put everything from yesterday behind him and made today his own scoring 21 points in a big win over the Florida Rams before adding 26 markers as the Nashville Celtic's 17's beat Ramey Basketball to remain alive in bracket action.
Anthony Hickey (Kentucky) has been the catalyst for the turnaround with his defensive effort and leadership from the lead guard spot. Zavion Williams (West Creek) brought his A-Game today as well while Mark Brown (Station Camp) found his shot draining four 3's against Ramey.
Look for me back at adidas tomorrow before heading off to the Kentucky Hoopfest later that night for games which begin on Friday the 9th.
