|
GBOA North Blog- Game Time! |
|
As the GBOA West tournament approaches on May 3rd and 4th in LA, my thoughts have drifted to the North tournament which takes place just a few weeks later in Chicago. The North region has a lot of under-the-radar talent that I am really pumped to see in action! The North region teams have been called the underdogs—but don’t discount any of the teams just yet. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog, because they become something that the others teams are not: a team with bite! With all the teams and players to choose from I am having a tough time picking out a favorite. Let’s look at some of the top players of the North and YOU can be the judge as to who is going to bring the most game to the court. First we have the SYF Players out of Indiana. This team, led by Coach Brumm, is historically a very successful team. One of the many players to watch is Scott Wood, who heads off to N.C. State when he graduates. His senior season has been an exciting one to watch, so you can be sure his appearance with the SYF will be just as exciting. At seven-feet, 300 pounds Full Package’s Kyle Rowley is not hard to miss. He certainly has not been missed by college recruiters, with six offers under his belt. Rowley also has a unique edge which is experience at the international level. He moved from Trinidad to Illinois just to play basketball at Lake Forest Academy and with Full Package. A player I do not think anyone should discount at this year’s tournament is small forward Demonte Beard of the Terry Porter Elite. Beard made first team all-conference as a sophomore, and has been passionate about improving his game every day. This six-foot-five powerhouse player made his first dunk in 8th grade! I think Demonte is going to tear up the court with his teammates in May and I’m excited to see him in action. The Family appears to be this year’s team to beat at the North tournament. The Family boasts dynamic duo DaShonte Riley and Donnavan Kirk, who are also teammates in high school. I can tell these two will not be lacking chemistry on the court! I can’t count all of DaShonte’s college prospects on two hands! With a lot to prove on the court, I think DaShonte will live up to everyone’s expectations. He’s going to be adding more college teams to his list after the tournament. As you can see the GBOA North tournament is going to have some hot prospects to watch. With all the games available through web cast, college recruiters are going to be glued to their computer screens in May. Everyone needs to come out to Chicago May 10th and 11th to experience the North. -KH
|
|
|
GBOA North Blog - SYF looking good |
|
The SYF Players are going to be pretty impressive this year, especially when you look at the tradition and success behind their program. SYF has sent countless alumni to the NCAA. This years team looks to be no different, with star talent such as Scott Wood signed to N.C. State among others. Is anyone else excited to see this team break out in the May tournament? I know I am. -KH |
|
GBOA North Blog - Big Things in Store for 2008... |
|
GBOA Hoops has some big things in store for grassroots basketball this summer! With five summer tournaments bringing teams from the North, South, East, and West regions together, the competition is going to be intense. I have to give a shout-out to my North region boys! The Terry Porter Elite team, lead by Coach Charles Jordan, is going to bring a lot of talent to the court. I'm excited to watch the tournament in May to see which North region team is the last one standing. Go TPE! -KH |
|
GBOA North: May 10-11, 2008 (Chicago, IL) Entering the 2008 season, GBOA North looks like the underdog. There are very few superstars in this class hailing from the upper Midwest, and only 3 GBOA North teams cracked the Pre-Season Top 20 Poll. But these underdogs have something to prove on the court in May, as they look for the chance to show the hometown crowds what they’re made of at the Challenge of Champions.  Carrying the torch for this year’s North teams at #15 on the GBOA pre-season poll is The Family, coach Speedy Walker’s Detroit-based team. The team is led by top prospect DaShonte Riley, who is a top 20 recruit for the Class of 2009 and one of the top centers in the class. Teammate Donnovan Kirk, nicknamed pogo for his quick jumping ability, a top 20 power forward. These two stars are also high school teammates at Detroit Country Day, so chemistry should not be a problem. Walker has a history of building top grassroots teams, so it remains to be seen whether Riley and Kirk will live up to The Family name.
One of last year’s top teams, the D1 Greyhounds, looks to prove it deserves Top 20 rank without a big-name prospect, while individual stars in GBOA North include two Chicago-area studs, Jordan Walker of Illinois Meanstreets and sophomore standout Crandall Head of the Illinois Warriors. Neither team cracked the Pre-Season Top 20, but with this type of talent, both teams certainly have a shot at a Challenge of Champions berth. The dark horse in this year’s North regional may be Indiana’s SYF Rising Stars, and Hoosier commit Derek Elston. But this is why these games are played on the court...you never know what will happen when the pressure is on. |
|
|
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
|
Page 2 of 2 |
North
