The second leg on the Road To Summer Slam was the Clash For The Cup and below we have listed the point standings after this event. Summer Slam will invite the top four teams from each age group to compete to become the Grand Champion. Point accumulation depends on where teams finish in the tournament. Note (Teams that win or finish second in the Blue Division will be awarded 3 and 2 points and cannot compete in that division for the remainder of the circuit.)
14U Division
Team Final (7 Points)
Team Scan/KYDA NJ (7 Points)
F.A.C.E.S. (6 Points)
Philly Aztecs (6 Points)
Cali Styles (5 Points)
Philly Triple Threat (3 Points)
Team Takeover (3 Points)
Albany Dream Team (2 Points)
Future Players (2 Points)
Team Scan/KYDA NY (2 Points)
NJ Got Game (2 Points)
Team Rebels (2 Points)
Abyssinian Church (2 Points)
New Heights (2 Points)
13U Division
Gauchos (7 Points)
F.A.C.E.S. (7 Points)
DC Assault (5 Points)
Team Scan (5 Points)
Philly Triple Threat (5 Points)
New Heights (4 Points)
Albany Dream Team (3 Points)
CT Elite (3 Points)
Cenn Penn Ballers (2 Points)
Philly Aztecs (2 Points)
12U Division
Team IZOD (7 Points)
Juice All Stars (5 Points)
NY Rising Stars (5 Points)
Cali Styles (5 Points)
CBC (4 Points)
DC Assault (3 Points)
Maryland Panthers (3 Points)
Delaware Talent (2 Points)
JSL Hoops (2 Points)
CT Elite (2 Points)
Team Final (2 Points)
Playtime Panthers (2 Points)
11U
Gauchos (8 Points)
Natural Ballers (7 Points)
We Run (5 Points)
Riverside (4 Points)
Delaware Royalty (4 Points)
DC Assault (4 Points)
Fastbreak (3 Points)
PWC ( 3 Points)
The next stop for Basketball Spotlight on the Road To Summer Slam will be the Atlantic City Showcase. Join us as we invade America’s Playground for a weekend of fun and basketball. There’s something magical about this event because the unexpected always seems to happen. Registration will begin soon. Stay tune tonight for the Clash For The Cup Championship recaps.
Basketball Spotlight Alum Jaren Sina has made an early verbal commitment to the University of Alabama. Sina participated in several Basketball Spotlight tournaments and showcases including the Elite 80 Expo and All Stars Classic. He finished #7 in our Class of 2013 Top 100 rankings.
According to his father and summer coach, Mergin Sina, the Alabama staff stressed family and that sealed the deal.
"The biggest thing to us was a sense of family and Coach Grant and his staff brings that. Every one of those coaches treat Jaren likes he's one of their own," the elder Sina told Rivals.com affiliate BamaOnline.com. "So I know that when he is at Alabama he's going to have someone there to look out and take care of him. Also we believe in what Alabama is doing. Coach Grant wants a certain kind of chemistry and Jaren fits that mold."
Basketball Spotlight would like to congratulate Jaren and his family on his college selection. We will continue to bring you news on our alumni because we are very proud of these youngsters.
Week Of 1/16-1/22What's Up Everybody!
It's the "Shoota" coming at you. My week at school was pretty cool and quiet, we have a few more weeks until the semester is over, I'm looking forward to that. I'm still on course to make honor roll again, I'm putting in the work so I do expect good results. I was accepted into one of the high schools that I applied to, I had the second highest score on the entrance exam so I was awarded a academic scholarship; my parents were really happy about that. Once I get everything back from the admission offices from the other high schools, then my parents and I will decide which high school I will attend. I know it's gonna be a tough decision, but we want to make the right decision not just for basketball but academics as well.
Its official I got my first DUNK in a game. On Sunday, during my school game I got a steal and my first dunk. My mom was suppose to video tape it, she had the video camera ready, she said she saw me get the steal at half court and then held the camera up, but pushed the wrong button. I was a little upset, but not really because I know there's more to come, having the first one on video would have been nice though.
Monday and Tuesday Fresh, Malik, and I worked out with Coach Fresh and Coach P, everybody else had school games. We did a lot of shooting and we worked on our footwork. Coach P told me my footwork has gotten a lot better, he always says to be a great shooter you must have good foot work. Wednesday, I went to my local Y, got some shots up and worked on my ball handling. I played in a few games with the older guys too, just trying to go up and down a little bit.
Thursday we had our Team Final practice, we ran our first drill and Coach P could tell some of us were a little winded, he was pissed off about that. We haven't had a full team practice in about 2 weeks, because some players had school games, he said not having practice for 2 weeks shouldn't be an excuse to be out of shape; he told us after your school practice you could run some suicides and sprints to stay in shape, he is absolutely right. The rest of practice was good and everybody was working hard. Our practice on Friday and Saturday was even better, everybody is really focused and getting ready for our next tournament. I have to give a shout out to Manny who came over to Team Final, once he gets used to how we do things I think he can definitely help us.
We had practice at the University of Villanova on Sunday morning; we were in the practice facility not the rec center. The lobby area is really nice they have their championship trophies in there and on the tv monitors they were showing highlights of their recent game against Syracuse. Coach P's Louisville squad won the national championship the year after Villanova won theirs, he made sure he let everybody know that....lol. Some of the players were in the weight room working out, when they were finished, a few of them came in the gym and introduced themselves to us. Our practice was good and again everybody was working hard. After our practice we went to watch Roman Catholic and Neumann-Goretti play. I got a chance to see my boys Shep Garner and Rashann London play. It was nice to see some of the parents also, Ms. Kim, Ms. Ursula, Ms. Omega, and Coach Shep. The gym was packed, and it was a good close game; Neumann-Goretti pulled it out at the end.
Sunday night I fell asleep during the first half of the Jets game, oh well....I'm an Eagles fan anyway....lol.
Catch up with me next week!
"Shoota"
The Basketball Spotlight Clash For The Cup was an exciting event. We had new champions from each age group and the talent was through the roof. We like to thank our special guests from Nike, Under Armor and Hype Basketball. Here’s a list of the champions and runner up teams. Basketball Spotlight would like to once again thank everyone for supporting our events and we will continue to work hard to bring you guys the best product around. Championship recaps and other coverage will begin this evening.
10U Division
Champions: Team Takeover
Runner Up: Playtime Panthers
11U Division
Champions: Natural Ballers
Runner Up: DC Assault
12U Division
Champions: Cali Styles
Runner Up: CBC
13U Orange Division
Champions: F.A.C.E.S.
Runner Up: Gauchos
13U Blue Division
Champions: Albany Dream Team
Runner Up: Cenn Penn Ballers
14U Orange Division
Champions: Cali Styles
Runner Up: Team Scan
14U Blue Division
Champions: Philly Triple Threat
Runner Up: PA Chargers
Can F.A.C.E.S. Stay Hot?
The 13U Bracket is wide opened right now. DC Assault, Team Final and New Heights decided to take the weekend so a new champion will certainly emerge. Here’s a breakdown of the top teams that will be heading to Neptune.
Clash For The Cup 13U Preview
F.A.C.E.S.: The Killer Bees rebounded well from their Grand Finale performance by winning the Basketbull title in Massachusetts. Their guard play has improved and they added some necessary size in the middle. Ray Montilous will to have to have a big tournament. 
Team Scan: TS has a boat load of talent and are very hungry for their first Spotlight championship. They made an impressive run to the Final Four at the Grand Finale and we expect much of the same here. Unique McLean is one to watch. 
Gauchos: Paul Suber’s crew is due to take the next step. Things will get very interesting early for them as they will face Team Scan in pool play. Look for The Choz to be on the hunt. Their 1-2 punch of NyRhique Smith and Mustafa Heron will be ready
Philly Triple Threat: After making a championship run in the Blue Division, PTT will take a shot with the big boys in the Orange Bracket. They are one of the toughest teams around and might cause some raucous.
Philly Aztecs: I’m anxious to see how this newly formed team will react against this thick field. They have one of the biggest frontlines in the region and some experienced guards. 
CT Elite: This squad feels they are ranked to low in the rankings and are out to prove a point. They have one of the best shooters in the region in Thomas Jackson while also possessing other quality pieces. 
SI Ironmen: It’s been a minute since the Ironmen have roamed through the Spotlight. They are known to fight tooth and nail for every rebound and loose ball. They might be the Cinderella of this group.
EUTU Warriors: Formerly the PTS Pistons, these boys have returned to the Spotlight. They have a pesky guard in Alex Leder and a few other nice players. Are they ready for this challenge?
Other Teams To Watch: T Town Ballers, CJ Hawks, Shooting Stars, Albany Dream Team, CT Elite (White), Philly Freedom Stars, Cenn Penn Ballers, St. Michaels
The Head Of Nike Scouting Vince Baldwin will be attending the Basketball Spotlight Clash For The Cup. Baldwin has a national reputation since his days of running his own scouting service Prep Spotlight. Baldwin seems very excited about this trip. “I heard about the Basketball Spotlight events and they have received rave reviews. This event will give me a chance to see some of the top young players in the country. We love to keep an eye out on the next young talent of the future” said Baldwin.
Basketball Spotlight will continue to work to bring you the best coverage and events.
Natural Ballers 11U Champs
Kayshawn McMahon Guard (Natural Ballers)- McMahon was just too physical for the opposition. The lefty muscled his way through the defense for tough finishes. He made them pay for pressuring the rock. We will be seeing a lot of youngster for time to come. 
Jordan Taylor Guard (Natural Ballers)- If you need a shooter hire Taylor. This youngster definitely has a ratchet. He loves setting up in the corner and making the defense with a trey ball. I also like his size for his position right now.
Brian Pegram Guard (DC Assault)- I said Anthony Cowan reminded me of a young Quinn Cook and now Pegram reminds me of Cowan. Pegram surveys the floor well and is capable of creating plays for himself. He might be the next in line of a long list of top notch Assault guards.
Kenny Tyree Guard (DC Assault)- Tyree can flat out shoot the rock. He has a quick trigger and long range. He also handles the pill like a true point guard with some flair. I will love to see how this backcourt develops. Tyree will be one we keep an eye on. 
D’Marco Baucey Forward (DC Assault)- Baucey is just beginning his basketball journey. He didn’t get many touches in the finals but you could see the potential in terms of size. We will be watching.
