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.