Hello to all bballspotlight supporters. This is Chancellor "Chance" Ellis sharing my recent experiences with you once again. First, I have to take time out to mention my Allen, Christian School coaches Mr. Kevin DePass, Mr. Giovanni Jamieson and Programs Coordinator Mr. Dwayne Cumberbatch who have mentored me throughout my middle school years. They cared about me as a person first, a student second, and a basketball player last. They emphasized time and time again that if you don't go after what you want you'll never have it...if you don't ask, the answer is always no...if you don't step forward, you're always in the same place...so you need to take that step and be the best that you can possibly be! Shout out to all the adults mentoring our young boys and girls throughout our communities.
On to my past weekend activities. My 14U AAU team, Juice All-Stars, went down south to participate in Boo Williams's Super Regionals in Hampton, Virginia. There were some tough teams participating in this event such as Virginia Team Richmond, New York Team SCAN, North Carolina Forest City and Virginia Beach Heat. Our organization decided that we needed our newly designed Under Armour uniforms for this tournament. As always the uniforms were top self so it was fitting that the best team down there had the best uniforms. lol We breezed through the pool play like we normally do rolling up 80 to 90pts, because there were no mercy rules, later wondering why didn't we play on the 15U level. The next day we had an 8:00am quarterfinal game that we showed little energy in the first half but my teammate Isaiah Whitehead started the third quarter by driving baseline then elevating his elbow above the rim for a spine tingling, Vince Carter type dunk on the opposing baseline players! That was some wake call for our team and we rolled to a 28 point win after that play. Our coaches reminded us that if we played the same way in the 1:20pm semi finals against NC Forest City Heat, we will be going home early. Word spread quickly throughout the tournament that Forest City Heat had added four players from the two time Nationals runner-up North Carolina United Stars and that those New York Juice boys "aint gonna know what hit them...we gonna beat them by at least 30pts!" Boo Williams along with many other big AAU officials and fans filled the area in anticipation of the game of the tournament. Both teams played up to the level everyone had anticipated and there would be many lead changes. Isaiah was doing his thing against their top ranked center, Thomas controlled the middle, Mike and I helped with the offense. Then a Juice team situation developed in the second half that forced me to play center and I had to defend one of the best players in the country and it forced us to unleash Mike Silverthorn on the offensive end. I haven't really played defense since I teamed up with the highly skilled 6'4" 240lbs Thomas Holley over two years ago but the team needed me to step up defensively and get the job done. With Mike Silverthorn hitting every shot he took for a total of 33 points while coming off the bench, I had plenty of energy to focus on defense. Even though Mike was carrying the team offensively, we were down five with 55 seconds left, I had the ball 25 feet from the basket and everyone was covered so I dribbled to my left to launch a desperation three pointer that went in to pull us within two. Then we fouled them, they made one of two foul shots, Isaiah scored to pull us within one with 30 seconds left, then we fouled them while their player was attempting a layup, there was a late whistle so the Forest City's coach thought the ref wasn't going to call the foul and he jump up yelling at the ref which resulted in a technical! They made one of two foul shots again because their player was fouled to go up two. I made the two technical’s to tie the game and we inbounded the ball to Isaiah then he swooped in for the game winning shot.
We had all of 55 minutes to rest and get ready for an all New York final between Juice All Stars and Team SCAN. Team Scan had about 40 minutes more to rest because they took care of their business sooner than we were able to take care of ours. Both teams was sluggish at the start but Team SCAN put together 9 to 0 run after both teams scored 2 points apiece in the first 4 minutes of the game. We battled back to a 25 to 25 tie at the half. In the second half, Coach Terrence "Munch" Williams of SCAN devised a unorthodox defensive scheme that gave us a great deal of trouble. Instead of Juice All Stars showing patience, we started playing as individuals and not as a team. As I mentioned last week, we have a balanced offensive attack and we don't let anyone explode for 30 to 40 points in order to maintain our team concept. But there was an unusual circumstance in the semifinal game when we needed Mike Silverthorn to do just that... explode offensively. That offensive explosion was a gift and a curse because we needed it to get to the finals but while in the finals we played selfishly and we didn't identify mismatches or move the ball well. Meanwhile, Coach Munch was doing his thing by rotating 10 players and staying with his unorthodox defensive scheme. He ran plays for his shooters and set screens for his penetrators thus maximizing their talents while they were in the game which made up for the difference in the talent levels between the teams. We were outplayed and outcoached but we still had four chances to tie the score in the last 30 seconds, with the last two chances coming with 8 seconds left and we couldn't execute any one of them. To make matters worse a former teammate Shavar Newkirk came up with the steal to end the game. It was the first loss at the 14U level since the 13U Nationals in July of 2009 for the Juice All Stars/Starrett City and we showed class in defeat unlike other unnamed teams I won’t mention. We shook hands and congratulated Team Scan on their recent success. Shout out to Team SCAN for showing class and sportsmanship throughout our encounters. Shout out to Naim "Highlight" Thomas for successfully coming back from his hip injury to give us the business. The last time we played SCAN Naim was only able to cheer his teammates on because of his injury. Don't get any ideas guys we are still the best team in the region but you guys have close the gap a little. We will see you in the Metropolitan Regionals in two weeks and we will be ready for that type of unorthodox defense.
To all my fellow middle school graduates of 2010 remember we are all unique and gifted individuals who possess the talents and intelligence for success and greatness. Remember to speak with wisdom, walk with dignity and continue to take pride in your appearance, community and your work ethic. Nothing will keep us from our destiny. Good luck with your chosen high schools. Until next week The Gifted One is signing off.
