Delaware HawksThe time has come where we rank the Top 10 teams in our region. Our ranking criterion includes state and regional finishes, top tournaments attended, head to head competition and AAU national play. All facets of this criterion will be looked at when ranking the teams. We also will be listing the MVP of the summer and other awards. Here’s a look at 12U Division.
Basketball Spotlight Tri-State Top 10
1. Delaware Hawks- The Hawks finished #6 in the nation and had a terrific run this year. They won their regional crown for the 4th time and took home the championship in the Spring Fling, DC Assault Classic and Charm City Classic. They faced many of the top teams in the region and came out on top in many of the encounters. The earned this number 1 spot.
2. Gauchos- The Gauchos stormed through their region again and also won the Blow Up Tourney and MLK Classic among others. Down at the 12U Nationals they made a deep run advancing to the Elite 8 before falling. They finished #13 in the country when it was said and done. They were fun to watch.
3. Team Underrated- The MDC Champs also won the Metropolitan Districts D2 title.They also won te Game Over Classic and the IS8. They have some key pieces and will be making some noise for years to come. They played a few D1 teams and gave them the business, so don’t be mistaken by them playing D2. I like their style.
4. King Street Kings- KSK had an impressive resume this season. They won numerous tournaments including the NJ State Title, Hoop Group Round Ball Classic, Delaware Super Regional and Team Kobe Classic. They also finished runner-up at the Basketball Spotlight MDC, DC Assault Classic and Game Over Classic.
5. Youth Interlock (Team Nelson)- Youth Interlock finished 2nd in their regional and made it to the semifinals at the MDC. I was really impressed with them at the 12U Nationals. The boys from Chester knuckled up and made it to the Sweet 16. They showed tremendous heart. It will be interesting to see them next year.
6. Team Kobe- Team Kobe showed flashes early in the season at the Feb. Maryland Invitational. They have one of the top players in the region in Brandon Austin and they also made some serious noise at the Nationals. The finished 12th in the country.7. Riverside Hawks- The Hawks finished runner up in their regional tourney and made advanced out of pool play at the nationals. The fought hard in many tournaments and were always a team to be reckoned with.
8. Long Island Trotters- The Trotters were a tough team to beat and carry one of the top players in the region in Thomas Holley. They represented themselves well at the MDC and advanced out of pool play at the 12U Nationals.
9. Westchester Hawks- The Westchester Hawks probably would have been higher on our ranking if their squad would have stayed together longer. They lost some key players mid way through the season which hurt their chances at the nationals.
10. NJ Pirates- The Pirates rugged style helped them finish 2nd in New Jersey. They also played well and made it to the semifinals at the Blow Up Tourney. If they can keep their squad together they can continue to grow for years to come.
Player Of The Year
Wa’mere Murphy (Delaware Hawks)- The Hawks flew past competitors all year and Murphy was the main catalyst getting it done. His athletic play along the baseline and in the lane proved to be too much for the opposition. He scores with ease and can be relentless on the boards at times. He also seemed when the games got bigger Wa’mere performed bigger on the stage.Newcomer Of The Year
Brandon Austin (Team Kobe)- This Austin’s first year playing and he attracted much attention. The 6’2 guard had to play the post position because of the lack of size Team Kobe possessed inside. But when he got a chance to take defenders on the perimeter it was curtains. Next season he should be even better with a year of experience under his belt.Basketball Spotlight All Summer Teams
ALL Mid Atlantic Region
Wa’mere Murphy (Delaware Hawks)
Austin Tilgman (Delaware Hawks)
Jorge Rodriquez (Delaware hawks)
Brandon Austin (Team Kobe)
CJ Wolfe (Team Kobe)
Malik Smith (Team Kobe)
Sheppard Gardner (Youth Interlock)
Mahir Johnson (Youth Interlock)
Andre Merrell (Chester Pride)
Trevion Anderson (Chester Pride)
Lewis Todd (God’s Property)
ALL New Jersey
Mike Silverthorn (King Street Kings)
Dylan Elliot (King Street Kings)
Austin White (King Street Kings)
Nassir Barrino (NJ Pirates)
Isiah Briscoe (NJ Pirates)
Al Jahaad Bradford (NJ Pirates)
Chance Ellis (NJ Pirates)
Kyle Carrington (JSL Hoops)
Maurice Diawara (JSL Hoops)
Deante Cole (Trenton B&G)
Wade Baldwin (Trenton B&G)
Tarin Smith (Team Boss)
Matt Forst (Team Boss)
Jake Dadika (CJ Jammers)
All Metropolitan Region
Malachai Richardson (Gauchos)
Tiquan Givens (Gauchos)
Dakari Johnson (Gauchos)
Steven Bush (Gauchos)
Joshua James (Gauchos)
Chris Davis (Team Underrated)
Timmie Quashie (Team Underrated)
Stephen Pitts (Team Uderrated)
Thomas Holley (LI Trotters)
James Richardson (Westchester Hawks)
Cheddi Mosley (Westchester Hawks)
Matt Blackwell (Westchester Hawks)
Jerron Love (New Heights)
Shavar Newkirk (Riverside Hawks)
Koree Hargraves (Riverside Hawks)
