GBOA West: May 3-4, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA)

For the 2008 GBOA season, the West region looks to have several teams with good chances of winning the Challenge of Champions title. The West has five teams in the early top 20 poll, and has a good shot at landing a team in the championship game in August. Perennial top California teams like SoCal All-Stars and California Supreme will be challenged by fairly new teams including LA Dream Team and Houston Hoops, which is playing in its first GBOA tournament. Early favorites to win the GBOA West are Pump N Run and LA Dream team, both of which are led by supreme young talents looking to make themselves known nationally.

The SoCal All-Stars feature a powerful front court led by UNC signees David and Travis Wear and sophomore sensation Dwayne Polee. The Wear twins, listed at 6’10" possess smooth inside-outside games that will allow the SoCal All-stars many different options on offense. The twins, matched with the extremely athletic Polee will prove to be difficult for other teams to match up with.

The LA Dream Team is highlighted by Renardo Sidney, who is touted by most as the class of 2009’s top player. Sidney’s ability around the hoop to finish strong and his athleticism on defense will cause problems for small guards and slashers looking to take the ball inside. Sidney’s supporting cast is meager but his star power and physical presence should be enough to put the LA Dream team as one of the front runners for the GBOA West title.

Another player to watch in the West region is point guard Elijah Johnson . Johnson is one of the finest point guards in the nation and is drawing major interest from big time college programs. Johnson, who is from Las Vegas, runs the point for Pump N run, playing along side 6’7" UCLA signee, Reeves Nelson.

From top to bottom the West region’s 16 teams are all capable of making runs to the Challenge of Champions final tournament in August. Look out for sleeper teams Like the Northwest Panthers and the Portland Legends who have the ability to surprise some teams. The Legends, whose alumni include the 2008 Pac-10 Player of the Year, UCLA freshman Kevin Love and ACC Freshman of the Year, Kyle Singler from Duke, boast a talented as do the Panthers who are led by Arizona signee, guard Abdul Gaddy.