The first live weekend turned out to be just that.....live. Events all over the Southeast including Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, New York and many others.
The Under Armour Association began Session I in New York with a handful of Tennessee squads finding some serious success.
TEAM THAD 17U
Starting with the big boys, Team Thad 17's completed a solid weekend at 3-1 with their only loss coming in double overtime in sudden death.
Tyler Harris (Cordova) led a four pack of double digit scorers with 12 as Team Thad busted KC Run GMC 73-63 to open UAA action in style. Rodgerick Brown (Cordova), Javion Fleming (Mississippi) and Demontay Dixon (Summit) all finishing with 10 points apiece.
Tavin Lovin (Virginia) took the scoring lead as Team Thad got by a very good Louisiana Elite squad 59-56.
Lovin led again with 13, Brown added 13 and Harris managed 10 as Team Thad fell in double overtime to C2K Elite for their only blemish on the weekend.
Harris rebounded with a big 22 point outburst as Team Thad closed the Session with a 72-66 win over the Wisconsin Playground Warriors. Lovin added 12, Brown pitched in with 11 while Myreon Jones (Alabama) and Jalen Crutcher (Prep) added 10 each.
Next up for Team Thad heading to Indianapolis for Session II. I will be there.
TEAM THAD 16U
Its not nearly as bad as you think it is. Two very close games, in everyone of them till late but the 16 and under Team Thad crew came up a little short in Session I finishing 0-4.
Canada Elite was the opening opponent and though they hung tough Tem Thad took the loss 65-54. Tonio Thomas (Ridgeway) and Denver Jones (Alabama) each dropped 15 points while Anthony Jones (Humboldt) finished with 11.
Devountae Williams (Raleigh-Egypt) led four in double digits with 19 as Team Thad fell in a heartbreaker 74-70 to Splash City. Alabama Jones added 15 while Tennessee Jones finished with 12 for the Memphis crew. Mark Johnson (Germantown) added 10 in the narrow loss.
Anthony Jones was huge in game three dropping 16 points but it would be just short as Team Thad let this one slip away 55-54 to the Atlanta Xpress. Williams added 10 in the crushing loss.
Williams took scoring honors again with 16 as Team Thad closed the event with a 73-64 loss to always good Team Breakdown. A. Jones added 13 while the trio of D. Jones, Johnson and Demarious Boyd (Haywood) all finished with 10 each.
BMAZE ELITE 15U
These young fellas were the talk of the weekend, blasting everyone and finishing an unblemished 4-0.
Jaden Springer (North Carolina) really turned some heads while several of the other youngsters got some serious run and started getting those names placed in the books of those who matter.
Springer set the tone right from the jump with a 22 spot as BMaze Elite busted KC Run GMC 65-42, getting that word out that something special was up. Akeem Odusipe (Knoxville Christian) was a man, scoring 10 points and snatching 14 boards. He was so impressive he scored an offer from Auburn. How you like me now?
Springer stepped it up even more with 32 markers and 14 caroms in a 65-53 win over the Miami Vipers. Odusipe was Olajuwon-like on the glass snatching 17 boards and giving the people in the building a feeling something was brewing over hear with this BMaze Bunch.
Up next the D.C. Blue Devils, perennial power, endless NBA resume and one of the top programs year in and year ago no matter which shoe company they reside with. D.C. Blue Devils....no problem. Springer dropped 17, Joe Anderson (Maryville) netted 14, while Edward "DaDa" Lacey (Fulton) and John Hardy (McCallie) each added 10 as BMaze Elite rocked DCBD 82-56 moving their UAA record to 3-0. That buzz was getting louder and louder.
In the finale, Springer dropped 15 and Emory Lanier (Knoxville Webb) had his best game with 12 markers as BMaze Elite destroyed Sports U 65-25 to finish the event 4-0. Everybody stand and take notice.
I ask you how are they not playing in Indianapolis.
