AAU Basketball Tournament Underway in Greensboro

By Elaina O’Connell | Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 12:14 PM EDT

GREENSBORO — Two North Carolina teams tipped off against one another Tuesday morning during the Amateur Athletic Union’s 7th Grade Basketball Tournament.

“It’s real good competition, and it’s bragging rights; they beat us last time so we have to come out here and get it done,” said AIA player Silas Mason.

Mason has been playing basketball since he was 4.

“My dad played college basketball and so I picked it up at a young age,” said Mason.

He worked his way up into the elite AAU.

“To get here they all had to qualify in their district which means finish in a top eight in their respective location,” said NC AAU District Gov. Sean Kilmartin. “We’ve got teams from Seattle, San Diego, Texas and all over the country.”

Overall, the AAU has 34 sports with about 750,000 athletes. In North Carolina alone, there are more than 20,000 athletes, participants and volunteers.

“To get to this level, these are some of the most talented basketball players in the country. It doesn’t just take an hour a day at practice,” said Kilmartin.

It takes much more. Players like Myles Evans practice four to five hours a day.

“Morning, middle of the day, and end of the day working out,” said Evans, who plays for the Garner Road Bulldogs. “It is a lot of work and a lot of dedication you have to have in order to play for a team like this.”

The last day of the tournament is Saturday, July 9. Admission for adults is $15 daily and kids’ tickets are $12.

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Exciting times for Ipswich Basketball Club as glamour friendly secured

11:06 | 21 June 2016 | Stuart Watson

Ipswich Basketball Club captain Tom Sadler. Photo: Pavel Kricka

Head coach Nick Drane says these are exciting times for Ipswich Basketball Club.

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The man who has overseen two promotions, followed by three near misses when it has come to attempting the final jump to the top-flight, believes he is close to assembling his best ever Tomcats squad.

And there is also the prospect of a glamour pre-season friendly to look forward to, a USA Select team made up of College graduates confirming that they will be visiting Copleston High School on September 12 as part of a big European tour.

“We’ve finished third, third and fifth in Division Two and, if I’m being honest, last season was a transitional period of us,” explained Drane.

“A couple of great servants to the club were not quite at the same level, so we parted ways with them and started planning for the future.

“I’ve been saying every pre-season ‘we are going to get promoted this time’, so I won’t put that pressure on my players again – but what I will say is that I am confident that the team I am looking to put on the floor will be the best I’ve ever had.

“Leigh Greenan has had surgery on the knee problem which has plagued him for the last 18 months and the bottom line is that he is the biggest, baddest player in this league when fully fit. Having him back is the ultimate summer signing.

“All my main players are returning with the exception of Sam Newman, who is going to university in Canada. I essentially put an advert out looking for a replacement and the response has been phenomenal.

“I must have had 30 to 40 applicants, we’ve whittled that down to four and it’s now about deciding who is the best fit for Ipswich Basketball Club.

“They will not only have to be good players for this level, but also understand the history of this unique small town club and the responsibilities that we expect senior players to take on.

“It might be someone looking to drop down a level and make a name for themselves or someone in this league looking for a change. This process is really fun for me as a coach. Having built this team on local talent for so long, it’s exciting to think that we can begin recruiting to take us to that next level.”

He added: “Securing the USA Select match is another sign of just how far we’ve come and further enhances our reputation.

“It’s also worth pointing out that we have 11 junior players – boys and girls – in various international age-group teams. That’s more than many of the clubs from the big cities. I really think we are on the cusp of something special here.”

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Arrows Edged Out by USA Select

Linbraze Arrows 103
Team USA Select 104

The Linbraze Arrows were edged out by a buzzer beating finish, 103-104, as they brought their pre season to an end. A great time was had by all at Dronfield Sports Centre as the young Arrows team went toe to toe with a group of USA professional prospects.

The Arrows were under the coaching of Jonathan Kelly while Team USA were coached by former Arrows super star Noah Brown. The Arrows were slow to start but a “3 pointer” followed by a 2 by the impressive Joseph Baugh got the Arrows underway. Joseph Baugh, Dennis Scott and Alex Burt carried the scoring load for the Arrows plus a smart finish by Paul Heymann saw the Arrows trail by 27 – 28 as the quarter came to an end.

There was plenty of fight in the Arrows after the break as they took the second quarter 29 – 23. Point guard James Kelly led a more experienced unit as Scott, Baugh, Burt and Jonny Broodie produced a very athletic and high paced tempo to see the Arrows ahead 56 – 54 at the half time interval.

Coach Kelly continued to explore several combinations in the third quarter in preparation for the season. However, the Arrows lost the quarter 16 – 32 as Team Select took control. The Arrows struggled to deal with the non – stop full court pressure applied by the visitors which exposed the newness of the Arrows group.

The Arrows began the final quarter behind 72 – 86. However, the Arrows with Andreas Lycoudis adding consecutive 3 pointers and a powerful exhibition by Burt, Scott, Broodie and Baugh saw the Arrows level the contest at 101 – 101. Nathan Dacres capped a great defensive display by producing a huge dunk. The Arrows led 103 – 102 when they were called for a shot clock violation with 6 seconds of the game remaining before losing to a buzzer beating shot 104 – 103.

Scorers; Burt 31, Baugh 27, Scott 13, Broodie 11, Lycoudis 8, Kelly 4

Despite the result, Coach Jonny Kelly was up beat about his sides outing at Dronfield last night. He said:

“It was a real pleasure to coach in this contest. It genuinely had everything! Momentum shifts, highlights and a lot of encouraging signs for the team moving forward. It felt like a different group to last week as they dealt with all the pressures and played with freedom and enjoyment. We will move on to Sunday with confidence and a new belief in our ability as a group.”

Arrows overseas player, Alex Burt, made his first appearance for the Arrows last night just 10 hours after landing in the UK. The American from Plymouth State University said:

“Although we lost at the buzzer, I think our team overall made good progress. Our energy and intensity was great, but our defensive communication must be more consistent as we enter Sundays game. It felt great to put on the Arrows uniform for the first time and play in front of our fans, who brought a tremendous level of energy and support.”

The Arrows now move on to their first competitive game of the season as they head to the EIS Sheffield to meet Sheffield Hallam Sharks in the National Cup 1st Round. Tip off on Sunday is at 1:20pm.

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Bristol Flyers Head Coach speaks exclusively to Bristol Flyers TV on his side’s 78-82 overtime to USA Select on Thursday night.