Take Your Best Shot 17u All Star Teams

Ron Bailey, Publisher

DC Assault's Take Your Best Shot (TYBS) boasted top talent.

April 13, 2009 - Last weekend's Take Your Best Shot (TYBS) grassroots tournament was a success, as its dual hosts, DC Assault and Hoop Magic Sports Academy ran a top flight event, one that provided an opportunity to see some of the best players on the East Coast.

As we do, i95Ballerz.com has developed an independent All-Tourney listing, one free of organizational loyalties and culled through consultation with multiple sources.

DC Assault Gold defeated the NE Playaz 59-43 to take the 17 and under 'chip'.

First Team

Eric Atkins - 6'2", 175 pound, junior combo guard, DC Assault Gold - Can drive, shoot and run a team. Makes plays. Has to get stronger. UMass leads with Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and recently Alabama recruiting him hard. Was voted team championship game MVP by his DCA teammates.

Cleveland Melvin - 6'7", 210 pound junior forward, Cecil Kirk - Shot blocker and finisher with decent post moves. Going to prep school next year, where mid-range consistency and one-two-three dribble move improvement should be on the menu.

Daryl Trayham (8) here rebounding in traffic.

Nate Lubick - 6'8", 215 pound junior forward, NE Playaz - Solid fundamentally, likes to finish with two hands. Committed to Georgetown. Has to increase lateral quickness.

Daryl Trayham - 5'9", 160 pound junior point guard, DC Assault Gold - One of the best fastbreak points in the country is savvy. Miami, Kansas State, Xavier, UMass and Maryland have offered. Jumper is continuously improving.

Josh Hairston - 6'8', 210 pound junior forward, DC Assault Gold - Multifaceted, Hairston is continuing to round out his skill set. Committed to Duke, where he must be more comfortable on perimeter.

Second Team

Javon McCrea- 6'8", 205 pound sophomore forward, NE Playaz - A young player that is athletic, can post and defend, McCray will be a household name come September. Will have to improve shooting range and become more experienced.

Javon McCrea (right) with third team selection Marcus Carom.

Jamal Olaswere - 6'5", 210 pound senior forward, Mid-Atlantic Select - Competitor that showed more handle and shooting skill. GW, Howard, Quinnipiac, UNC-Wilmington have offered while Georgetown is evaluating.

Stephan Battle - 6'6", 185 pound junior forward, DC Assault Blue - Versatile frontcourt guy can pat in isolation, shoot, and rebound. Mid-Majors like George Mason are all over him.

Tyrone Johnson - 5'9", 180 pound junior point guard, Philly Pride - Fireplug lead guard is a dynamo. Must improve finishing at rim and free throws. Delaware, Penn State on others have offered.

Tyler Thornton - 6'1" 180 pound junior guard, DC Assault Gold - A defensive and team-running standout, Thornton scores in the flow of the offense. For Duke, where he is headed, must be more offensive minded.

Click here for third/fourth teams