Lester "The Action Figure" Wilson (Carter) and Craig (The Professor) Bradshaw (CPA) scored 19 and 18 points respectively as the Travelers defeated the Minnesota Glory to advance to the title game of the 17 and under division at the Indiana Shootout.
Wilson has made this tourney his own dangling 18 points in the quarterfinal victory over one of the 150 Shining Stars squads in the event. The Travelers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in this one and never really looked back. Galen Campbell (Fulton) added 16 points and Rico White (Bearden) finished with 10.
Jordan Cross (Sullivan East) was big from the outside knocking down all three of his shots for nine markers. Rising sophomore phenom Shannon ‘Big Time" Hale (Science Hill) finished with 9 of his own.
In the semi-final the Travelers jumped out to a nice lead thanks in part to the inspired play of Tres Palmer (Powell). The Knoxville big scored 8 early points and finished with a tourney high 12 for the game, Campbell again did his work adding 16 points to his burgeoning total.
Superior guard play was the key with Brandon Lopez (Austin East) and Dre Mattheiu (Knoxville Central) making things happen on both ends of the floor.
The Travelers will play in the title game tomorrow at 8:00.
Over at the Hoosier Shootout, in the 15 and under division the Tennessee Tigers advanced to the title game before fatigue got the better of them falling by 11 in the title game.
The road to the title was well paved with a tough 53-48 win over the Tennessee Travelers. Kevin Peterson (Marshall County) was outstanding from his guard spot. Also drawing praise for their efforts were Kesler Bell (FRA), JeQuan Lewis (Dickson County) and Jalen Lindsey (CPA).
Lewis led the scoring with 23 points in the semi-final 54-46 win over the Spiece Indy Heat. Lindsey added 11 to the fold.
Tennessee Team Hustle concluded a very nice run finishing unbeaten in their pool at 3-0 before falling in bracket action. Spencer Peake (Bearden) continued his torrid shooting spree throughout Hoosierland.
At the adidas Invitation the Nashville Celtics 16's had the misfortune of getting big brother when he was at his best, falling to the Atlanta Celtics 78-70. The Nashville crew held a slim 39-38 halftime lead on some excitingly inspired play from big David Howard (MBA). Howard played fearless against some of the best players in the nation in his class including a monster dunk in traffic that got event the Atlanta bench off their feet.
The Celtics gave their best effort led by Taylor Barnette (Kentucky), John Ross Glover (USJ), Daijon Williams (Clarksville), Kielan Blanks (Spring Hill) and Eric Robertson (Alabama).
