Adonis Thomas (Melrose) has captured the attention of the absolute throng of media attending the 17th annual Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in North Carolina.
Ranked as one of the top players nationally in the Class of 2011 very few could argue that this young man in the cream of the crop in the Volunteer State.
His list of schools is excessively long and includes Memphis, Tennessee, Ohio State, North Carolina and a host of others.
The Memphis Magic Elite fell in double overtime to a tough Connecticut Basketball Club 81-80 to capture 2nd place in their pool thus thrusting them into the select division and a date with the Nashville Celtics, who also finished runner-up in their respective pool.
Thomas finished the game with 23 leading the way for the Magic while "Mighty" Chris Jones (Melrose) knocked down a leaning three-pointer to force the first overtime and finished the game with 11 points.
On Friday night the Magic made short work of Team United 90-63 with Jones tallying 25 markers and Cameron Golden (Ridgeway) responding with 15. Thomas and Andre Hollins (White Station) finished with 12 apiece.
Hollins was the high scorer in their 72-66 pool play win over the West Virginia Wildcats. The rising senior punctured 18 points, while Jones added 14, Thomas 13 and Nino Johnson (White Station) with 10.
Leading to their showdown with the Magic the Nashville Celtics chopped down a few unlucky opponents. The Mid-Atlantic Stars were the first to receive the chopping block led by Kendall Anthony (Liberty Tech) with 17 points. Anthony Hickey (Kentucky) added 13 and Dre Barnette (Liberty Tech) contributed 10.
Next was an all-pout assault on the Coastal Crew with Anthony again leading the charge with 16 points. Alex Poythress (Clarksville Northeast) added 13, Hickey 12 and Zavion Williams (West Creek) with 11 points in the win.
Poythress was huge with 23 markers but one of the tourney favorites the CP3 All-Stars defeated the Celtics and led them to the select game with the Magic very late Saturday night.
Bobby Parks Jr. (Melrose) was gigantic as the M33M Elite almost pulled off the stunning upset of the Indiana Elite/Team Indiana squad falling 74-71 in a tough one. Parks finished the game with 31 points.
Parks was again the leading scorer in the second pool play loss with 16 against the Long Island Lightning.
Poythress was pulling double duty as he was the leading scorer for the Celtics 16's in their opening pool play loss to the same but younger CP3 All-Stars. John Ross Glover (USJ) added 12 in the loss.
Glover scored 21 points in the second pool play defeat with Daijon Williams (Clarksville) adding 13 points.
Josh Williams (Mississippi) proved to be the leading scorer in the 15 and under Celtics two pool play losses, scoring 14 against that darn CP3 All-Star squad and 13 against the Baltimore Wildcats. Joey Barnes (Ravenwood) added 10 points in the second defeat.
News from Los Angeles, Atlanta, Cincinnati and more from North Carolina as the Memorial Day events come to a close tomorrow evening.
