What a superb weekend for hoops down in Carolina country as the 16th annual Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions came down to its culmination last night.
Many happy returns for the players from the Volunteers state as the all-tournament teams were announced.
Heading the list was "Mighty" Chris Jones (Melrose) who was the tourneys leading scorer at 33.6 per game. Joining Jones on the 17 and under all-tourney squad were Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) from the Nashville Celtics, Joe Jackson (White Station) with the Memphis Magic Elite and Mardracus Wade (Mitchell) with the M33M Ballerz.
In the 16 and under division the Nashville Celtics scoring machine Levi Randolph (Alabama) was named to the glitter squad.
Cameron Golden (Ridgeway) was the lone rep on the 15 and under squad.
Heres how all the squads finished up:
NASHVILLE CELTICS 17'S
The only Tennessee squad to advance to the national playoffs before falling to the eventual runner up CP3 All-Stars 83-70. Prather was dynamic in this one scoring 26, including 24 in the second half against North Carolina signee Reggie Bullock while sitting majority of the first half with foul trouble.
Austin Hollins (Germantown) had a fine tournament showing his outside shot and athletic skills. Ish Sanders (Cleveland) finished the event averaging around 14 per game and showed that sweet stroke all weekend long.
Arthur McMillan (Hillsboro) had a great game in the pool opener and Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central) did a fantastic job running the squad.
MEMPHIS MAGIC ELITE 17'S
Going 2-1 in pool play with a very controversial loss to the Jackson Tigers, the Magic fell to the Westchester Hawks 74-68 in the select playoff opener.
Joe Jackson (White Station) finished as the tourneys 5th leading scorer at 24.8 per game. Tarik Black (Ridgeway) continues to improve his game with intense rebounding and defensive play and is adding a short jumper to his reportiore.
Ronald "Tank" Brown (Raleigh-Egypt) contiues his superb summer despite getting hurt in the Tigers contest. His added aggression with the ball and his intense want-to for every rebound makes him a very recruitable athlete.
MEMPHIS STALLIONS
What can't be said that hasn't already been said about Chris Jones (Melrose). The mighty one was a one man highlight film scoring from deep, off the dribble and making everyone on the floor that much better. His stock has taken a huge upturn and the best is yet to come.
Nick Mason (Southwind) also experienced a coming out party of sorts with his 28 point outburst in the second round of select playoff action. Mason finished the event averaging 15.3 per game.
Also showing immense improvement were Darious Paige (Southwind), Brandon Wright (Hillcrest) and Montez Fifer (Southwind).
M33M BALLERZ
The core of this squad was Memphis tight and the benefactor of that was Mitchell point man Mardracus Wade (Mitchell). Wade averaged 18.5 for the event and proved he could hang with anyone in the country. Bobby Parks Jr. (St. George's) finished the tourney averaging 17.0 points per game but suffered an ankle injury in the second pool game and was unable to continue.
Tim Peete (Memphis Central) didn't have the first sign of rust playing for the first time this summer. The talented guard averaged 14.0 per game and fell into the flow almost immediately. Great to see him back. Adonis Thomas (Melrose) dropped 20 in the pool opener and had a good tourney.
NASHVILLE CELTICS 16S
Finding their way into playoff action the Celtics fell to New Heights but had a very productive weekend none the less. Levi Randolph (Alabama) was one of the tourneys leading scorers at 23.8 per game. His game is so much fun to watch as he can score from inside or out and will explode on you if you underestimate his skills.
Kendall 'Ant 2.0" Anthony (Liberty Tech) ran the show superbly and finished averaging around 18.0 points per game. His leadership and stiffling defensive intesnity make him a must have in the backcourt.
DeAndre Daniels (California) was also very good in the tourney averaging around 16.5 and playing for both the 17's and 16's.
MEMPHIS YOMCA
Cameron Golden (Ridgeway) must have loved this event. The 5'11 Memphis guard finished the scoring at 19.8 for fifth best in the event in his age group. This included a 28 point outburst in the pool opener against the North Carolina Gators.
Martavious Newby (BTW) also had a fine event finishing at 13.8 points per game.
NASHVILLE CELTICS 15S
Playing in arguably the toughest pool in the event the Celtics struggled to find their way. David Howard (MBA) finished the event averaging 11.3 points per game. John Ross Glover (USJ) led the Celtics with 19 in their pool opener. Vari Craig (Riverdale) also had a good event with a couple double digit games under his belt.
