Finish strong they always remember most what you did last. Nice quote surely I didn't make that up but it reads very true.
The Nashville Celtics 16 and under squad took that message to heart with a sterling performance last week at On the Radar then a return trip to the ATL for the festivities this weekend.
Playing in the Hoop Seen Summer Jam the Celtics finished 5-0 and were the top team in the 16 and under division.
Tristan Jarrett (Haywood) had another solid event snaring All-Tournament honors and would have been MVP of the division if they named one, why didn't they?
Jarrett, who has claimed offers from Kansas State and MTSU, finished the Summer Jam averaging around 24 points per game.
Playing with a partial roster in many event the Celtics did remarkable things in the most important month of the summer scene.
Undersized to a point where they often employed a 5 guard line-up, the Celtics got some outstanding efforts at Hoop Seen to go along with the gaudy exploits of the one called Jarrett.
John Carter (Summit) is a player to have on every watch list. The 6'4 guard has proven he can score and even play some point, danger, danger this kid can go. Carter averaged around 17 per contest for the Celtics at the Summer Jam.
Running the show the tandem of Mike Parker (Maplewood) and David Murry (Liberty Tech). Parker finished with several double/double including the always tough to get steals and assists combo double. Murry showed he could put the ball in the hoop as told by his 19 point effort in the semis but his best asset for the Celtics was his defensive effort on whomever the primary was on the opposition.
Bryce Williams (Blackman) had another solid week on the glass despite being severely undersized. The rising junior battled and kept the Celtics adrift. Geordan Reed (Jackson Southside) is a match-up nightmare with his small stature but super strength. His lefty scoring prowess makes him a hard guard. He has a creative way of scoring and was most productive in the Celtics run to the title.
Coaches were quick to upsize the contributions of Myles Hamilton (USN) and Garrett Hollenbeck (JCS). Hamilton played big on the defensive side of the floor while Hollenbeck hit some timely shots all weekend.
After starting the circuit 1-5 after two event the Celtics closed the gap hard finishing 26-7 including 9-1 in their last two events with the only loss coming in a sudden death overtime situation. The Celtics finished the summer 27-12 with an eye on doing more damage next season.
