Arkansas was rich with some of the nations best talent this weekend with the annual Real Deal on the Hill going on as normal and the new Old School Showcase bringing even more hoopers to Razorback country.
The Memphis YOMCA made the absolute most of their trip over the state line having each of their teams in the title game of their respective age groups at this hot new event.
The 16's and 17's fell in the title game; however, Chris Jones (Melrose) grabbed MVP honors and the 15 and under YOMCA slipped by the Arkansas Wings and took home the big trophy with a 63-58 victory.
Joining Jones on the glitter squad Myron Askew (Frayser), Karell Davis (Hillcrest) and Andre Hollins (White Station) all brought hardware back to the Bluff City.
The YOMCA cruised through pool play and finished the weekend with a sterling 5-0 record. Super effort by the entire squad including big moments for Nino Johnson (Melrose) and John Lynn (Germantown).
After winning their pool at the Boo Williams last week the YOMCA 16's are playing with supreme confidence and to no one's surprise made the dash to the title game before falling to the St. Louis Eagles at the OSC. Dominating pool play the Y, behind sterling efforts from Julian Burton (White Station), Nick Mason (Fairley), Darian Gray (Overton) and Cartrell Peterson (Treadwell) ,continue to be one of the impressive groups of the young summer campaign.
Like their young bretheran the YOMCA 17's made the tough run to the title game falling to powerful Athlete's First. Ian Clark (Germantown) caught the eye of more than one important spectator as he was the buzz of the tourney for the Y.
The Tennessee Travlers made sure the Y were not the only Tennessee squad to represent this weekend as their three squads had some solid showing as well.
The 17 and under group almost turned the tourney on it's collective ear as they fell to the eventual champion Athletes First by two in a game that could have went either way. The Travs finished 2-2 winning their first game in consolation play before travel schedules prevented them from continuing. Jalen Steele (Fulton) continues to be the talk of the Tennessee landscape with another explosive performance. His confidence after his sterling state tourney run is sky high and the 6'2 shooter is making his way into national prominence.
Great efforts again for the Travelers from Robert Wade (Maplewood), Kyle Teichman (Brentwood) and James Gallman (Fulton).
In the 16 and under division the Travelers also finished 2-2 with a consolation game win and a travel schedule departure. Standing out for them were Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist), Fred Sturdivant (Brainerd) and Eric Richardson (CBHS).
Making the 2-2 trifecta the 15 and under Travelers continue to improve behind consistent efforts from the Bearden duo of Galen Campbell and Rico White. Campbell has proved to be the rock these past two tourneys playing with confidence and a maturity level well beyond his years. Also standing out for their weekend efforts Jordan Cross (Sullivan East) and Dajon Porter(Brainerd).
