It is said people remember what you do last.
Play hard for three days at a four day event and lag the final day and people remember what you did last.
The Nashville Celtics took this adage to heart finishing their 2008 summer campaign on a very positive note with both the 17's and 16's finishing very strong at the loaded adidas Super 64 event in muggy, unbearable hot Las Vegas.
The Celtics 17's found themselves rolling through pool play and then securing a tough win against Houston Select as they trudged through the championship bracket.
Drew Barham (CBHS) made the most of his final summer on the circuit averaging 15.2 points per game and moving his stock in a straight upward motion. Barham showed he could score with the big boys and certainly has caught the eye of more than one high major coach.
Guard play for the Celtcics was strong with Ricky Williams (Liberty Tech) leading the troops with his unselfish passing and defensive effort against some very tough guards. Chris Reaves (Bolivar Central) finished the event averaging around 7.2 points per game but he showed some toughness and balance in his overall effort. His stock is also on the rise. Gregg Wooten (Braircrest Christian) and Zane Gibson (Baylor) both had solid moments and gave maximum effort throughout the summer.
On the wing Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) and Jon Hood (Kentucky) did most of the scoring damage. Hood was his usual efficient self leading the Celts in scoring at 15.4 and proving he is a certified candidate for the McDonalds All-American game. Prather finished with a scoring average around 14.4 but his ability to change a game with his athleticism and improved shooting make him a top level national recruit for the Class of 2010.
Inside Drew Kelly (Centennial) was in the market for establishing his dominance finishing at 11.2 points and grabbing double digit boards in every game, including 20 against in the Houston Select victory. Patrick Shaughnessy (Grace Baptist) gave maximum effort ,as he always does, and showed a mid-range scoring touch as well.
The final game was an unfortunate contest marred by overly aggressive play and a tough way to end a great run for the Celtics.
Down in the 16's the Celtics also had a nice run finishing 3-2 and scoring a gigantic victory against Pump-n-Run, who would finish in the event's final 16. Playing in arguably the toughest pool the Celts managed a 2-1 finish behind superb guard play from Meiko Lyles (NCA), Ish Sanders (Cleveland), Mitchell Hill (Cookeville), Jeremy Purvis (Clarksville Northwest) and Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central). Lyles and Sanders provided consistent scoring, while Murphy and Purvis distributed and played tough defense. Hill was counted on for both depending on his role in each particular game.
Arthur McMillan (Hillsboro) made the most of his short summer giving strong effort and proving he is ready for a breakout junior campaign. Levon Tate (Siegel) was solid as always on the glass, while Cody Henegar (Marion County) continues to watch his stock rise. At a legit 6'9 Henegar will see his recruitment soar in the coming months. The young man can pass, has great instincts around the hoop and can score. Strength will get him to the level he needs to play in college.
Congrats on another successful summer.
