Long Island Lightning Finished #1The 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. First we will take a look at 14U Division.
Basketball Spotlight Tri-State 14U Top 10
1. Long Island Lightning- What’s else needs to be said the Lightning won the National Title. They also won the Kobe Classic, Breakdown Classic and Game Over Classic among others. They squad consist of some of the top players in the region and they have top notch coaching. This team has been together for years and have 2 National Titles and numerous Top 10 national finishes. They were the undisputed #1 team.
2. Team Philly Finest- Team Philly won their regional crown again and competed in nearly every top tourney in the region. They have a championship crowns or runner up trophies from just about every event and finished #6 at the AAU Nationals. The only team in the region that gave them serious problems was the #1 LI Lightning. Unlike other 14U teams I think this unit might stick together for years to come.
3. New Heights Red- This squad burst on the scene this year as the Harlem Kings. They won several tournaments including the MDC, NY Shock Exchange and a few others. They also had deep runs in the Maryland Invitational and Spring Fling. They knocked off some quality teams in their first year of existence.4. Chester Panthers- The Panthers finished runner up in the Middle Atlantic region and won the Rebounds Super Regional. They also went to the 14 U Nationals, advanced into the championship bracket and had a good showing. They have a host of talent they should keep Chester high loaded for years.
5. CJ Hawks- The kings of NJ won the State Championship and the Rebounds Presidents Day Classic among others. They also showed ran deep in a few other tournaments in the region including the Hoop Group TOC. They have been very solid for years.6. MSU Skyliners- The Skyliners didn’t win as many titles as the year before but they did compete in just about every big time tournament in the region. They made some semifinal appearances in the NJ State Tourney, MDC and We Got Next tourney among others. They also competed in the AAU Nationals and advanced to the championship bracket.
7. Gauchos- The Metropolitan Regional Runnerup wasn’t really on the scene in the region as much as the past but they still represented themselves well. They made the trip to Orlando and advanced out of pool play into the championship bracket.
8. Playaz- The Playaz didn’t have the success they were accustomed to in the past but did finish the season strong. They won the Blow Up tourney and made it to the finals of the Hoop Group TOC and NY Shock Exchange.
9. New Heights Blue- NH started the season with a spark but never seemed to have their full roster together at the same time. They made a semifinal run at the MDC and showed some toughness in other outings.
10. KBR Kings- The Jersey party crashers finished 2nd in NJ and competed in several tournaments around the region. Their toughness could not be denied.
Players Of The Year Awards
Middle Atlantic Region
Amile Jefferson (Team Philly Finest)- Jefferson was probably the most consistent player in the region. His team competed in just about everything and Jefferson brought his game each time out. The wiry forward did damage against all the top competition and finished with MVP or All Tournament honors on a regular basis. Look out Philly high school scene here he comes.New Jersey
Hunter Wyscoki (CJ Hawks)- Wyscoki was the catalyst on the NJ State champs and used his size and versatility to put up good numbers and propel his team to victories. The 6’4 two-guard plays with great intensity and should be a name to know in the coming years in the Shore Conference. I will be wathcing as a fan.Metropolitan Region
Nkeurwen Okoro (LI Lightning)- When you look at the National Champs you have to check out Okoro’s game. The versatile wing player used his size and play making prowess to get the job done. His play did not go unnoticed as he earned an invite to Reebok U Camp after a strong showing at the Headliner Camp. He has star wriiten all over him if he continues to work hard.New Comer Of The Year
Thaddeus Hall (New Heights Red)- I didn’t see Hall rock until this year and I have to say he impressed me each time out. The lefty put up enormous numbers in every event and took home Mr. Memorial Day Honors at the Basketball Spotlight MDC. He also will be a name to remember once he enters high school.Basketball Spotlight ALL Summer Teams
Basketball Spotlight All Region Teams
ALL Mid Atlantic Region
Amile Jefferson (Team Philly Finest)
Andre Horne (Team Philly Finest)
Maurice Watson (Team Philly Finest)
Karon Davis (Team Philly Finest)
Ryan Archadocono (PA Playaz)
Savon Goodman (Team Final)
Kareem Robinson (Chester Panthers)
Derrick Stewart (Chester Panthers)
Paris Higgs (Chester Panthers)
Khyree Wooten (Philly Panthers)
ALL New Jersey
Hunter Wysocki (CJ Hawks)
Eric Shaw (CJ Hawks)
Brian Kenny (CJ Hawks)
Dallas Anglin (Playaz)
Montana Mayfield (Playaz)
Jahmal Lane (MSU Skyliners)
Ahmid Williams (MSU Slyliners)
Kyle Anderson (LI Lightning)
Ike Calderon (KBR Kings)
Ron Paden (CJ Hornets)
ALL Metropolitan Region
Nkeurwen Okoro (LI Lightning)
Daniel Dinlge (LI Lightning)
Thaddeus Hall (New Heights)
Dennis Green (New Heights)
Trey Dickerson (New Heights)
Labrent Walker (D One Sports)
Omar Calhoun (D One Sports)
Javon Thomas (Gauchos)
Dashawn Suber (Rich Soil)
Rashard Andrews (NY Pythons)
