Basketball Spotlight 13U AAU Regional Report

Playaz Basketball Club

The 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 13U Division.

Basketball Spotlight Tri-State Top 10

1. Playaz Basketball Club- PBC got the nod at the #1 spot because they played in many if the top tourneys while taking home titles from the NJ State Tournament, Blow Up Tourney, Game Over Classic and a few others. In the MDC they loss a nail biter to a team that was later disqualified for ineligible players. They definitely got busy this year.

2. NY Panthers- The Panthers won the Metropolitan Regional crown and made appearances in just about every top tourney in the region. They also placed runner up in several events including the Basketball Spotlight MDC and Game Over Classic. They came into the season very underrated from our standpoint but made a serious themselves.

3. Educated Athletes- Educated Athletes reclaimed their Mid Atlantic crown and didn’t suffer many losses throughout the region this year. They also represented at the AAU Nationals by advancing out of their pool into the championship bracket. They will be a force again next year.

4. Long Island Lightning- The LI Lightning finished 2nd in their region while also making semifinal runs during the MDC and the Kobe Classic. Their strength of schedule was very impressive and it helped them advance out of pool play at the nationals and into the championship bracket.

5. NY Gauchos- The Gauchos started the season with a championship at the MLK Classic and finished runner up at the highly touted King James Classic in Ohio. They have some star studded players and should make a strong region push next year. Keep an eye on Shaquille Davis he should be a good one. The Gauchos will be appearing in the 2009 MDC.

6. Trenton Hurricanes- The Canes hung around in numerous tournaments but didn’t get over the hump until winning the MDC which was loaded with every top team in the region. Their strength of schedule was okay and they qualified for the nationals. Winning the MDC really boasted their ranking.

7. Penn Jersey Jaguars- The Jaguars finished runner up in their region and won the Kobe Dream Classic. The hard working squad probably could have been ranked a little higher if their strength of schedule was higher. They are always dangerous on the floor. Hopefully next year we will see them in the fire more.

8. Linden Ballers- The Ballers hard-nosed style helped them finish runner up in the NJ State Tournament. They played in some serious tournaments and represented themselves well. The leave it all on the floor every time they touch the hardwood.

9. Peacemakers- The Philly squad made some noise at the nationals after finishing 3rd in their regional tournament. They also won the Philly Finest tournament and had a good showing in the God’s Property Classic. They have some serious talent and they should be on the horizon soon.

10. Westchester Hawks- I got a chance to see Westchester at the Maryland Invitational and the Rebounds Super Regional. They have a tight unit with some decent talent. I will have an eye for them next year.

Player Of The Year
Matthew Johnson (Playaz)- The Playaz won quite a few tourneys and Johnson was the catalyst on many of them. The point guard directed traffic and made some big plays for this talented ball club. His improvement on his outside shot and defensive intensity took his game and confidence to another level. Johnson will need this play to continue as he will be entering high school next year.

Basketball Spotlight ALL Summer Teams

ALL New Jersey

Matthew Johnson (Playaz)
Kavon Stewart (Playaz)
Reggie Cameron (Playaz)
Joshua Marquez (Playaz)
Rasoul Holland (NJ Shore Shots)
Keith Kirkwood (NJ Shore Shots)
Keyshawn Rice (NJ Shore Shots)
Nate King (Trenton Hurricanes)
Mychal Corbit (Linden Ballers)
Tyrice Beverette (Asbury Park Rec.)
Travis Rocida (Camp Pocono Trailblazers)
Drew Corsi (Bayshore Bulldogs)
Shacore Edwards (Shooting Stars)

ALL Metropolitan Region

Mariga Clarke (NY Panthers)
Maynard Grant (NY Panthers)
Jason Boswell (LI Lightning)
Dave Henry (LI Lightning)
Isiah Lewis (LI Lightning)
Shaquille Davis (Gauchos)
Leroy Floyd (Gauchos)
Eligah Davis (Gauchos)
Diamonte Zarba (Westchester Hawks)
Jamie Jefferson (Westchester Hawks)
Andrew Sawyer (Westchester Hawks)
Davone Regan (NY Patriots)

All Middle Atlantic Region

Jaquan Johnson (Educated Athletes)
Jakari Rowe (Educated Athletes)
Conrad Chambers (Educated Athletes)
Wilson Murray (Educated Athletes)
Steven Griffin (PJ Jaguars)
Mike Sturdivant (PJ Jaguars)
Lequan Coaxum (PJ Jaguars)
Britton Lee (Peacemakers)
Shafeek Taylor (Peacemakers)
Dean Wilson (Delaware Hawks)
Dhamer Bradley (Delaware Hawks)