TYBS Chip Winners

Ron Bailey, Publisher

TYBS 2010's chip day was one to remember.

May 17, 2010 – Prince George’s County, Maryland welcomed talented boys basketball student athletes this past weekend, given its status as host of this year’s Take Your Best Shot travel team tournament. Host organization DC Assault attracted teams from as far north as Connecticut to compete on the hardwood. Fans and observers witnessed many good players resultantly.

Following are the three championship or ‘chip’ winners.

17U DC Assault Gold

In a battle of siblings – which everyone knows are personal affairs – Assault’s 17u Gold team defeated it’s Blue relative 78-71, in a raucous, emotion-filled contest. At stake were true bragging rights, as Blue had previously defeated this Gold once this year during the DC Assault Big Shots tourney, as well as three other times in previous years. Both squads were clearly motivated.

After being a well contested and closely scored game, Blue found itself down 46-36 with 13:40 to play. Enter post-grad bound guard Christian Leach; finishing with 26 points, Leach was fairly unstoppable, proved by during the next minute and a half scoring two layups and a three ball, despite being a Gold defensive focal point. His last bucket knotted the score at 46, causing Gold to call timeout.

Jordan Goodman with the finger roll.

Blue’s onslaught continued, as the team lead 57-51 with 8:16 on the clock after post-grad bound forward Mike Hemsley (13 points) dunked. An upset seemed to be in the making.

It then became Quinn Cook time; the All-American candidate hit back to back three’s, and completed an old fashioned and-one play for Gold. Following that Cook, a junior, sank another three pointer at the 2:20 mark, giving his team a 68-66 lead. When Gold again went down, this time by three, Quinn finished the game with a layup up and two free throws, tallying 18 points in total, 15 during the second half.

"I just wanted to be aggressive, I was kind of playing lazy in the beginning" revealed Cook of his motivation. "Big time players step up in big time games, and I just wanted to be aggressive and assert myself, and make plays to help win the game".

Bruce Singler, Gold's coach noted of Cook "down the stretch, Quinn made some plays. He did what he's been doing all year and been doing so all summer". Regarding his team, the ex-Kansas State coach said "The effort was a little lax in the first half. Second half, last two-three minutes of the game we picked it up, and got a win".

Jay Thomas, a junior forward scored 11, much needed and slightly unexpected points for Blue, illustrating the talent he has. Gold got 15 from junior shooting forward Malick Kone, whose shooting eye is returning. Jordan Goodman, a sophomore forward who to close the game hit six points by driving to the hoop, finished with 12.

Though the score is still 4-1 Blue leading, Gold had the most immediate bragging rights. In families that means something.

Audio Note:

Christian Leach talks about the game

16u Team Melo (MD)

Team Melo did the unthinkable, as they secured a TYBS chip with only five players. That’s right, no subs. How did they do it?

“It was tough” said Team Melo’s victorious coach, Kyle Locke. “This team has been through all kinds of adversity. It was a test of their character. We knew at the start we were only going to have five players…They just came together”.

Lionel Green pats.

Schematically Melo played a lot of 2-3 zone defense. Offensively, they walked the ball up after an opponent’s makes, and ran selectively post-misses. That commitment to scheme and their talented players were definitely needed in the team’s 54-53 championship game squeaker over the VA Cardinals: Unable to press a Cardinal team devoid of their point guard, Melo could never distance itself, while the squad from Virginia itself didn’t press or pressure much until late (which in hindsight could have been an advantage). Both teams shot the ball fairly well throughout.

It all came down to the Cardinals, down one with 13 seconds left and the ball unable to get a shot, turning the ball over in the process. Nevertheless their effort and outside of a few plays execution, has to be applauded.

Sophomore swingman Jack Early scored 11 points for the Cardinals, while Troy Thomas dropped 14. Both shot well and made plays.

Mello saw sophomore swingman Quinton Judd tally 13 points, while fellow second year forward Michael Olyfusi chipped in 12. Lionel Green, a talented combo guard was responsible for 10 points.

15u Nike Baltimore Elite

Boasting a lineup that had at least three players 6’7” or taller, talented backcourt players and solid depth, the Playaz (NJ) were thought to be prohibitive favorites in winning the 15 and under championship. They not only passed the ‘eye test’ but backed it up on the court.

Nike Baltimore Elite didn’t get the memo, defeating their northern-based foes 58-53. The Charm City team trailed at halftime 33-28, and didn’t get the lead until a 45-43 advantage was secured with 8:09 to play. A key was forcing the Playaz out of a 2-3 zone alignment made particularly vexing by player length.

'Day-Day' McNeil came up huge.

Coach Jamel Williams, Elite’s head man, on doing so: "We're familiar with that team, we played them two times already. So once we get the lead every time we play them, I just pull 'em out. I know they can't guard our guards. So that's pretty much it"

Sensational freshman swingman Shakur Edwards (22 points) of the Playaz led all scorers, while his teammate, fellow first year high school student athlete, point guard Kavon Stewart finished with 11. Edwards only scored one bucket in the second half, though it was a rousing fast break slam.

DaQuan ‘Day-Day’ McNeil was largely responsible for Edward’s second half swoon. McNeil also scored 11 points and was key in distributing the rock in tight situations, even hitting some very important late foul shots. His teammate, freshman forward Maurice White finished with seven points, and provided excellent all-around play.

Audio Note:

Jamel Williams giving late game instructions

Jamel Williams during post-game wrap up