The Tennessee Travelers 17 and under squad certainly had something to prove at the Price Chopper Classic in Kansas City.
After a not so sterling performance at the 17 and under Super Showcase in Orlando the Travs needed to get themselves back into playing mode.
Needless to say the competition level did not diminish in KC but the effort from the boys certainly did.
A tough opening game loss to Brandon Bass Elite 70-68 showed the Travelers they could play with anyone if the effort was solid. Dre Mattheiu (Knoxville Central), Shannon Hale (Science Hill), Brandon Lopez (Austin East) and Rico White (Bearden) all played outstanding in the close loss.
The Travelers led by 2 with just under two minutes to go before bowing to Mean Streets 70-66. Lopez, Hale, Lester "The Action Figure" Wilson (Carter), Jordan Cross (Sullivan East), Craig "The Professor" Bradshaw (CPA) and Jaylen Allen (Science Hill) all played well in the narrow loss.
As fate would have it the next opponent, the St. Louis Eagles, one of the best teams in the country, awaited yet the Travelers hung tough with consistent effort and gave the Eagles a tough game falling 81-73. Allen, Cross and Hale were lauded for their accomplishments.
