Hey basketball fans it your boy Champ with another week in the life of a baller. This week was good because it was Christmas and there is no school. I got in a couple of good workouts and my AAU team had a scrimmage game.
After sitting at home for most of the week we finally got out after all that snow. Wednesday my dad took me to DSU for a workout with Old School Sports. When we got there I got a chance to watch the Hornets practice for a while and listen to my dad talk about his playing days at the school. After the team finished we got right to work as usual. Once again I was the only middle schooler in the gym as we worked on dribbling, did some core work and did many shooting drills. The big difference at this workout was this 6'11” kid was there and the dude was huge. Come to find out it was a DE native home for the break just getting some work. He was a beast that plays high major ball. Saturday we went up to Wilmington to workout and got up many shots.
Finally on Sunday we took a trip down to the DC area because my AAU team DC Assault 14U Gold was playing in a middle school exhibition game against our 13U Gold. It was good to see my teammates Darius, Corey, Darian, and Lenard. We all have been busy with our school teams so we haven't practiced at all or had any workouts. It was a good game for us we only had 5 players and we ran all day against a very good team. The final score was 49-27 but it was close until the 3rd quarter. I finished the game with 10pts 5 assists 6 rebounds 4 steals. It was good just couldn't get a jump shot to fall. That's all that happened to me this week. Tune in next time for more highlights in the life of a 8th grade baller.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!!
Champ Out !!!
Hello Basketball World
This past week have been a bit hectic, last Thursday I had my last holiday concert at my school which went ok, I then went out to dinner after with a couple friends, and had a good time. When I got home that night I felt extremely sick. What I felt was a virus putting me in the hospital for two days. When I finally got healthy again it was fortunately on Christmas Eve. Christmas for me was good, I got what I asked for and had a good time with family and friends and hope it was the same, if not better, for all. I mainly want to talk about the experience of meeting Kobe Bryant, this was an amazing experience and one of the best I have ever had. The way I got in was because my godfather, who is DJ Ted smooth, got me into an event that Kobe was at. Kobe was doing drills which I got a chance to help the young kids with, and he also gave a speech telling kids to never give up in life no matter what obstacles are in the way, also to never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I was able to get a picture with Kobe, an autograph basketball and the speech was big also. Although I have heard to never let anyone tell me I can’t do something numerous times this time really hit home because it was Kobe Bryant, arguably the greatest player in the world right now, right there in front of me talking to me and all the others about the one thing him and I have in common, the love of the game. Sunday, I will be going to a Christmas Tournament in River Dell New Jersey with my AAU Coach, Coach Ozzie and my Dad to watch some high school teams. This week I am also off from school and plan on working out, relaxing, and hanging out with friends to just have fun. These two weeks of vacation is a real gift after I have been working very hard in school with studying and tutoring for high school exams, my next semester I will continue to work extremely hard and still can’t wait for my AAU season to start!
Young One Out…
Hey world its your boy Champ writing about some of the highlights of my week. This week my school team played two games. I took a couple of quizzes and went to my brothers game. Outside of that it was my regular daily routine.
We played our first game on Monday against Laurel Middle. I had a season high of 32pts and finished with 7 boards, 5 dimes, and 3 blocks. The game was close at the end of the first quarter we were up by 5 but we had played pretty sloppy giving up easy layups and stuff. But at the break coach dug in us a little bit and got us going. I came out and scored 15 straight and we went on a 37-0 run until the end of the third. I didn't play any in the fourth quarter but the final score was 60-19 as we moved to 3-0 on the season. Thursday we played Milford Middle and they where at home in the dungeon as we say down here, it is a small gym that is packed with buc fans from wall to wall standing room only. It is a dark and dreary place to play we had to go there last year and this year. Last year we came away with an over time victory. This year was a little different as we quieted the crowd early and came away with a 52-21 victory I finished with 19pts and 7 assists.
Tuesday I had quizzes in Math and English. I studied over the weekend for english and stayed after with the math teacher for some tutoring the week before for math. I think I did well on both quizzes and am digging in hard for this stretch during the basketball season. Don't want my grades to slip this year. Friday night went to my brothers game and his team beat Lake Forest High School 75-27. This is the second game that I've been to and his team has won big. He got to play a lot again. As a freshman he be getting some run because his team be beastin, they going down to Boo Williams tournament over the break I think they will get a game there..
Finally, the week ended with a blizzard and we were snowed in for the weekend. But I want to talk about my daily routine that I've done since 11yrs old it might help some of you. Every day I do pushups, toe raises, lunges, squats, jump rope, and core work. When I started I didn't do as many as I do today but now at the end of each week I've done 1400 push ups, 280 toe raises, lunges and squats, 63 minutes of jump rope, and countless core work. Well that's all and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Champ Out !!!!
Basketball Spotlight is headed to Boston, Massachusetts for the 2nd Annual Urban/Suburban X-MAS Holiday Tournament presented by the Visionary Basketball Club.
Event: 2nd Annual Urban/Suburban X-MAS Holiday Tournament
Date: December 26th thru 30th
Ages: Boys and Girls 4th Grade Thru 9th Grade (10U Thru 15U)
Location: Swampscott HS, Marblehead HS, UMass Boston
Awards: Trophies For Championship Team
Cost: $250 Per Team ($225 Multiple Team Discount)
Contact: Santonio Gooding at (617)-413-2446
Don’t miss the action! Basketball Spotlight will be in the building.
Hello Basketball World,
This week was a good one, on Sunday I finally took my last high school acceptance test, I took the ISEE. This was the hardest test I've ever taken. After that I went to my dads MMA fight where he clearly won fight, the only problem was the he got two points deducted for illegal punches and was charged with a loss. There is a saying that goes its success is not final failure is not fatal it is the courage to continue that counts. Which I feel he has. This week was also exciting be cause this is our last week before my school gladly gives us a 2 week long break that I plan on enjoying while working out during. On the 18th, I will be attending a couple high school games at Paramus Catholic and Dwight Englewood; these season openers should be very interesting. I will also be visiting a few of my AAU teammates along with these games. I am also extremely excited in anticipation of the start of both my school season when were back from break and last but most certainly not least AAU season! Until next week...
3rd Annual “Show Me” Invitational Hosted by F.A.C.E.S.(AAU Sanctioned Event)12U/6th grade Boys’ Basketball Tournament
13U/7th grade Boys’ Basketball Tournament
Site: Hoop Heaven
132 Hopper Ave
Waldwick, NJ 07463
When: February 27-28, 2010
Entry deadline: January 31, 2010
Entry fee: $350 (3 games guaranteed)
Cashier’s Checks/Money orders made payable to F.A.C.E.S.
Coaches and athletes must be current AAU members
Awards: 1st and 2nd individual & team trophies; MVP award
Limited to 8-12 Teams
(First come first served)
Rob Cole
1505 Vauxhall Rd. 1st Flr
Union, NJ 07083
cole_23@verizon.net
www.eteamz.com/faces
The 1st Annual Hoop Group Holiday Classic
December 29-30
at The Boo Williams Sports Complex
Hampton, VA
*3 Games Guaranteed
$300 a team
U10, U11, U12, U13 & U14 Boy DivisionsTournament Info Link
Basketball Spotlight the new leading exposure company for grammar school basketball will be hosting the Clash For The Cup. This event will feature the top young teams in the United States and will be played at the Hoop Group Headquarters. Awards will be given to the 1st and 2nd Place teams and Basketball Spotlight will provide the written coverage on our website.
Cost: $350 (3 Games Guarantee)
Date: January 30th and 31st
Place: Hoop Group Headquarters (Neptune, NJ)
Ages: 11U Thru 14U
Please fill out the application below and return it with check or money order to:
Basketball Spotlight
c/o Mike Melton
P.O. Box 308
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Questions: Contact Mike Melton at 609-532-5122 or at Basketballspotlight@hotmail.com
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION Committed Teams
14U Division
1. Team Nelson
2. Team Final
3. Team Scan
4. NJ Pirates
5. Team Rebels
6. NJ Shore Shots
7. Brooklyn Ballers
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13U Division
1. Team Final
2. F.A.C.E.S.
3. Team Rebels
4. NJ Got Game
5. KYDA
6. The City
7. Del Team Select
8. NJ Shore Shots
9. Brooklyn Ballers
10. Mid Jersey Heat
11.
12.
12U Division
1. Team Battle
2. F.A.C.E.S.
3. Team Takeover
4. Sam Cassell All Stars
5. New Heights
6. DC Assault (Gorham)
7. NJ ShoreShots
8. NJ Got Game9.10.11.12.
11U Division
1. Team Battle
2. Delaware Royalty
3. NJ Shore Shots
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Hey world its your boy Champ. This was an amazing week. We got our interim report cards. The team played our second game of the season. Watched my brothers high school team play. I took the Delaware prep school test for entrance. I went to church and finally I had a good workout.
Tuesday, we got our interim report cards from school and I was pleasantly surprised. My hard work in classes over the last month is paying off. I got 93 in social studies, 83 in math, 94 in science, 83 in English, 98 in PE, and finally 93 in music. As soon as my Dad picked me up from practice I handed him the report card because I knew it would make him happy. He was happy but he already knew because he checks my grades online now daily. So when we got home I showed it to my mom and she was really really happy. Getting good grades makes everybody I know happy and it makes me happy too. My week started great.
Thursday, we played our second game of the season and I was out for revenge against Fifer Middle. And that's what we got. I came out the gate cookin' as I scored the first 13 pts of the game to get us going. We defeated them 61-27 and I finished with 24pts, 7rbds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. One thing that I remember as hitting a 26ft jumper to finish the third quarter.
Friday, night my Dad and I traveled to my brother Jame's game. He finished with 5pts. His team crushed this team 99-38 so he got a lot of playing time. I just kept saying to myself the move he should make and stuff like that.
Saturday, I had to get up early because I was scheduled to take the ERB test. This test is required to go to a few prep schools in DE. The test was 4hrs long, I think I did real good though. There were a few other top ranked players in DE taking the test too. When we had a break we all got together and asked each other what school we were going to and we all answered undecided.
Finally on Sunday I went to church and got some good prayer in and then I went to workout up in Wilmington. We got some good work in. We did some drills with the tennis ball first for hand eye coordination and also anticipation. Then we did some core work and got many shots up we did off the dribble, off the screen, step backs, and catch and shoots. Then we finished with a little scrimmaging. What a week it was great. That's the life of a baller for this week. Check me out next week.
Champ Out!!!!
Kaison Randolph has worked to become one of the top players in the region. The Trenton, NJ product currently plays for Team NJ ABC and recently made the All Tournament Team at the Grand Finale. We sat down with Kaison for the Final Quarter and here’s what he had to say.
Final Quarter
8:00
BS: How do you feel your team is progressing?
KR: Yeah we are going to be good. We added a few big guys so now I can play more on the perimeter. I think that will be good for my game.
7:00
BS: What do you feel are the strong points to your game?
KR: Driving to the basket and playing in the paint.
6:00
BS: What are some areas of improvement?
KR: Well I think I really need to work on my outside shot. A good outside shot will definitely help my game.
5:00
BS: What’s your fondest AAU moment thus far?
KR: Well last year at the AAU Nationals we played Soysa Orlando Suns. We were down one and I made the game winning shot at the buzzer.
4:00
BS: Speaking of the AAU Nationals, how was that experience?
KR: It was a great experience. We got a chance to play teams from all around the country.
3:00
BS: Do you know where you will be attending high school?
KR: Well right now I’m interested in Trenton Catholic Academy, Pennington Prep and Conwell Egan Prep.
2:00
BS: If you could wake up at any college in America which school would you choose?
KR: It would be University of Georgia. I love the south and I always like Georgia’s team.
1:00
BS: If you could have dinner with one person in the world. Who would you choose and why?
KR: Lebron James because I think he has a great personality and I would want to get to know him.
0:00 Ball Game!
Hey world its your boy Champ. This week was really exciting for me. Practice for the middle school team got a lot more intense. I took my first visit to one of the 3 prep schools I am interested in. I worked out with some of the high school ballers in DE and we had our first middle school game.
On Monday me and my team turned it up a bit in practice in preparation for our first game this week. We started getting after the second team and working hard. Coach turned it up too as we started to run more and his voice got more intense than before. We ran for everything and every drill was full of conditioning. I love it and eat this stuff up. We are ready for war and hope our opponent Chipman Middle come ready. My former AAU teammate Quantez Harris who is ranked 6th in the state told my brother he gone a get with me. It's all good though cause we aighht off the court.
On Wednesday I took a official visit to one of my final 3 choices and had a great time. When we got there coach had his best player there to show me the school I was surprised to see him. I must admit it was a good look to me. I went to class with him all day, they treated me well and were very friendly. For lunch I had a couple of cheesesteaks, gatorade, and water. After school was over I got to watch a little bit of there practice and then my parents picked me up.
On Sunday I went to a workout in Wilmington DE with Old School Sports. It was good, I was the only 8th grader there, most of the players there where in high school. We started with dribbling drills, then we worked our core, did some shooting drills, and finished with running a few games.
Finally Monday we had our first game in our new gym against Chipman. I was the first person to ever score a basket at the new Central Middle gym. We defeated my boy and his squad 61-26, I finished the game with 19pts, 7 rbds, 3 assts, and 3 blks. The good thing is that everyone got to play. We play Fifer Middle on Thursday and I am looking for revenge as they defeated us last year. Hopefully we can get some bump from them. That's the week of this baller check back next week for results from the game.
Champ Out !!!
Hello Basketball World,
This week I want to start my diary talking about the things I am not doing such as PLAYING BASKETBALL. This whole week that has passed by, I have had my nose to the books. I have only picked up a basketball once this week for my middle school teams practice which is more fun as oppose to a workout. I had a very strong semester with my grades and tests my dad will not allow me to play in any events until after December 13th, when I take my last High School acceptance test. This week, I visited Dwight Englewood where a few of my AAU teammates go. My parents and I took a tour of the school; the facilities were incredible, much like a College campus in the way it’s built and the way the classes are structured. The academic workload will be very challenging. I had very nice interview with Mr. Shaurette, who is the Associate Director of Admissions at the school. I also got a chance to look at some of the classes and meet some of the students and other faculty members, the teachers seem extremely accommodating which can relate to the school I attend now. This is the second school that I have visited the first being Paramus Catholic, which was also a great school in different ways that Dwight, the classes are larger and it is a Catholic school making it overall a different experience. The faculty and coaching staff were very welcoming at the school, which was great.
Next Wednesday is my last day of school before our holiday break, which I look forward to. The ISEE exam will be over and I will be finished with high School applications and entrance exams, pushing me one step closer to choosing a High School. I have a scheduled visit with Blair Academy, Don Bosco, and a tour of St. Anthony’s where I will be a student for a day. The High School process has been fun but a lot of work, I am very excited to start AAU in the spring with my AAU team, the Gym Ratz when I can hopefully have my school picked out, all the schools are extremely appealing and interesting in different ways, they all have unique things to offer. Have a great week to everyone; time to go back to work, and hopefully by my next entry I will be done!
Young One…Out
Basketball Spotlight the new leading exposure company for grammar school basketball will be hosting the Clash For The Cup. This event will feature the top young teams in the United States and will be played at the Hoop Group Headquarters. Awards will be given to the 1st and 2nd Place teams and Basketball Spotlight will provide the written coverage on our website.
Cost: $375 (3 Games Guarantee)
Date: January 30th and 31st
Place: Hoop Group Headquarters (Neptune, NJ)
Ages: 11U Thru 14U
Please fill out the application below and return it with check or money order to:
Basketball Spotlight
c/o Mike Melton
P.O. Box 308
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Questions: Contact Mike Melton at 609-532-5122 or at Basketballspotlight@hotmail.com
CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION
