Week 4 NEWS

As the season progresses, summer is just around the corner and summer camps are abound. To the parents who are interested in sports camp, there will be FLAG FOOTBALL for the summer. Additionally, there will also be an outdoor basketball camp available for the neighborhood at South Durbin Amenity Center for 3 weeks!!! All are encouraged to join and it will be sponsored by the Durbin Amenity and managed by BLUECHIP BASKETBALL.

As for BLUECHIP BASKETBALL fall league (AUGUST – OCTOBER), sign-ups will begin immediately June 1, 2016. Please, please sign up early for we will be wait-listing players due to the demand. We had to turn away many, many players this past March due to limited gym time and that is us competing with AAU, baseball, lacrosse, football and soccer. This fall, AAU is done and all will be looking to join so please sign up early!!!

8U Division

NOLES – Coach Chris Mayo(L) vs. WARRIORS – Coach Rodney (W) 

NOLES comes in this contest coming off a loss. Coach Rodney of the Warriors is hoping to give them their next loss but today was the NOLES came to play. They battled for every loose ball and fought their hearts out as they gave the Warriors all they could handle. The Warriors were relentless on the offensive glass as they went after the ball time and again. Coach Mayo says after the game, “We gave it everything today and we just fell a little short. It was a heck of a game…”

Kentucky - Coach Banther (W) vs. HEAT – Coach Mike Lee (L)

In what would have been an interesting match-up, Coach Banther of Kentucky face the Heat of Coach Lee. Sadly, the Heat had to forfeit the game due to not having enough players. Coach Banther says after the game, “I’m just glad to get the win. That number 2 kid - Enzo “Let me loose” Lee – is a really good player. Coach Lee’s Heat still played the game short-handed although they knew that the game was a forfeit. As he puts it, “Just let ‘em play”… Great job Coaches!!! .  Rookie of the year candidate, Keenan Banther was relentless on the offensive glass as he went after the ball time and again. Coach Lee says after the game, “the kid just wants it more…”

CANES – Coach Amartes Williams (L) vs. DUKE – Coach Brett Mack (W)

In this contest, the story is not about the win but the attitude and approach of Canes Coach Williams. Canes come in the contest as the underdog but as Coach Williams puts it, “I like being in this position, we like being the dog.” In a highly contested game, the score actually does not reflect the grit that the CANES put forth. The entire team never gave. Led by the relentless go-for-broke attitude of the Williams brothers, the CANES were up for the challenge as they contested everything. The strong play of Raahee Singh of Duke was the difference as they come away with a gritty win.

Next Game: SATURDAY – MAY 7

NOLES vs. DUKE – 0915 (Court A – 8FT)

Warriors vs. Kentucky – 0915 (Court B – 10FT)

HEAT vs. CANES - 1000 (Court A – 8FT)

11U Division

GAME OF THE WEEK

Celtics – Coach Travis Holloway (W) vs. Syracuse – Coach Terrance Gatling (L)

In our game (GOTW) Game of the Week, Coach Holloway’s Celtics face Coach Terrance’s Syracuse. These two teams met last week with the Celtics coming away with a very nice win. The story of this contest, just as last week, was all about defense as both teams battled from beginning to end again. The tip off was won  by Syracuse as they tried to work the ball inside their big man, Ayden Stephens, but the hard-nose “D” of the Celtics Nathan Politano challenged the big man inside and would have none of it. The rebounding duo of sisters, Tatiana and Thalia Gatling was the difference in this game as they pushed the Celtics in the loss column in yet another close one. Dylan Head of the Celtics led his team with 6 points while Joey Buchbinder led the Celtics with 9. 

Tar Heels – Coach Aaron Dame (L) vs. Ballers – Coach “G” (W)

In this match up, Coach Dame’s Tar Heels have the challenging task of playing Coach Gebauer’s Young Ballers who are in a bit of a streak. The Ballers come in wanting to continue with a “w”.  As the Tar Heels would like nothing more than hand them a loss. The game began with the Ballers pressing and creating turnovers as they find their rhythm. Coach Dame’s Tar Heels played a very strong “D” but today just was not their day. It was a total team effort for the Ballers as they cruise to a victory.  Coach Dame says after the game, “Our guys were not boxing out and they took advantage of our weak point.” It was a total team win for the Ballers as everyone contributed from defense to points, everyone deserved the recognition…

SERPENTS – Coach Bob Hermann (L) vs. Sharpshooters – Coach Scott Edwards (W)

Team Sharpshooters appear poised to be the team to beat in this highly contested division as they out-score Coach Hermann’s Serpents. Led by Wilson Edwards, the Sharpshooters played unselfish basketball as they move the ball to find the open man in every possession. Coach Edward’s states, “We will always move the ball. We teach our kids to pass first, second and third.” (I like that thinking coach, I, too, believe in that philosophy.) Coach Hermann sums it up after the game, “they just outplayed us...”

LAKERS – Coach Malcolm Lovett (W) vs. VILLANOVA – Coach David Crenshaw (L)

It was a very close finish as Coach Lovett’s Lakers edged Coach Crenshaw’s Villanova.  The start of the game was dictated by shutting down each penetration as neither team was able capitalize on the paint. With the help of  Kiyana Hunter and Charlotte Fryman, Villanova’s Leah Crenshaw did her best to keep up but hats off to the Lakers as they continued to battle and come away with a very hard fought win. It was a heck of a game and our hats off to both teams for both deserved to win and the game was a runner up to (GOTW) Game of the Week honors. Nick Bobin and Alan Anderson led all scorers for the Lakers.

Dragons – Coach Chet Hilton (W) vs. Bulls – Coach Ron (L)

The Bulls of Coach Ron have the best attitude in sports today. Knowing that they may lack some talent, they make up for it in hustle and determination and none showed more of this today than sister’s Kylie and Molly C. Kylie played tremendous inside and as Coach Ron puts it, “Her improvement is day and night and as for her sister, you do not want to get her angry.” Coach Chet Hilton’s Dragons came away with the win but his sentiments reflected Coach Ron’s assessment. Coach Hilton states, “Their ‘big-man’ plays hard inside.” The Dragons were led offensively by Kevin Fayazi and Grant Beyer. 

Next Weeks Game:

Villanova vs. Syracuse – 745PM Wednesday, May 4

Young Ballers vs. Sharpshooters – 645PM Friday, May 6

Celtics vs. Bulls – 10AM Saturday, May 7 (1/2 Court)

Dragons vs. Serpents - 1045AM Saturday, May 7

Tar Heels vs. Lakers – 1130AM Saturday, May 7

13U Division

Thunder – Coach Mark Wilson (W) vs. Marauders – Coach Marcy (L)

Thunder, under Coach Wilson is off to a bumpy start as they play the Marauders of Coach Marcy. This is the second time these 2 teams are meeting with the Marauders winning a lopsided game in their first match up. Thunder has been missing some of their key players but that is about to change as they pick up Matthew Guzie off of waivers – not so good news for the Marauders… Just as expected, the Thunder began with an up-tempo game plan. Both tried to dominate the paint but Coach Wilson’s zone was limiting the Marauders ability to control the paint. The points for the Marauders were spread out as they played unselfish ball, everyone contributed but their Achilles heel this evening was they were short-handed as  their bench was a no-show . On the Thunder’s side, Coach Wilson everyone also contributed with Matthew “Give me the Ball” Guzie leading all scorers in the win.

Blue Devils – Coach Mack (L)  vs.  Lancers – Coach Fifield (W)

Anticipating a tight game, Coach Fifield’s Lancers reminded his team to move the ball. He realizes that they may not have the most talented team but he knows that they have the biggest heart and tonight they will be tested by Coach Mack’s Blue Devils. In a game dominated by the Lancers in the first half, the contest is a true testament to never quit playing until the last whistle is blown. As the Lancers took a comfortable lead going into the second half, the second half was dictated and controlled by the Blue Devils as they attempted to mount a comeback. Led by their star Matthew Mack, he led all scorers for the Devils with 9 points while Kevin “Big K” Fifield and Brock “the Rock” Tillotson of the Lancers dropped a combine 25 points. Coach Fifield appeared cool and collected but confided after “I really thought we were going to blow it…” The comeback was tremendous but the Lancers were able to overcome the onslaught as they come away with the “W”.

BullDAWGS – Milton Bullard (W) vs. CAVS – Coach Malcolm Lovett (L) /  Showtime TWO – Coach Henry Moore (W)

The DAWGS of Coach Bullard face off against the CAVS of Coach Lovett. CAVS realize the hard task in front of them but Coach Lovett states, “we are ready”. As the game begins, the Bulldogs showed why they are a team to beat as they controlled both ends of the basket. The CAVS had a hard time containing the Bulldogs as they moved the ball with precision. The CAVS did their best to compete but today was just too much as the Bulldogs cruise to a victory.

CCA Paladins - Coach Shane Jones (L) vs.  HAWKS – Coach Amartes Williams (W)

The Hawks of Coach Williams are clicking on all cylinders as they take on the Paladins of Coach Jones. Coach Williams behind their ever present center, Caleb “the Postman” Molkenbur and Robby Constain dominated the game from start to finish as they win against the DAWGS. The Paladins were led by Stephen “Steph J” Jones with 8  points.

Gamecocks – Coach Eberly (L) vs. Florida - Coach Erin (Hollis) (W) 

Coach Erin’s Florida started the game relying on the play of their big men inside – and they did not disappoint as they led Florida offensively. Coach Eberly’s Gamecocks countered with the quickness they have on their guards and they also played a sensational game but today was just too much for the Gamecocks as they defeated the Gamecocks in a very gritty game.

Showtime TWO – Coach Henry Moore (L) vs. Chargers – Coach Miller (W)

These two teams appear very even in talent as they start the game in what seems to be the flavor of the week- DEFENSE. Both teams traded basket as the lead was back and forth. Coach Moore’s Showtime was very game as they played a very tough ‘D”. Although the Chargers come away with the “W”, the game was close and exciting. Kudos to both teams and their coaches for a tremendous game, well done.

Next Week’s schedule:

CCA Paladins – Coach Shane Jones vs. Thunder – Coach Wilson (Friday May 6 - 745PM)

Lancers – Coach Fifield vs. Marauders – Coach Marcy (Friday May 6 - 830PM)

HAWKS – Coach Williams vs. CAVS – Coach Lovett (SAT May 7 – 1230PM)

Showtime TWO – Coach Moore vs. Gamecocks – Coach Eberly (SAT May 7 – 115PM)

Florida – Coach Erin vs. Chargers – Coach Miller (SAT May 7 – 2PM)

Blue Devils – Coach Mack vs. BullDAWGS – Coach Bullard (SAT May 7 – 245PM)

High School Division

Holy Cross – Coach Brian Fifield (W) vs. Gators – Coach Evan Wheeler (L)

Anticipating a tight game, Coach Fifield’s Holy Cross started the game with their set plays as they patiently move the ball finding Logan Toby, who drew first blood for Holy Cross with long ball. Coach Wheeler’s Gators answered as Paul Bennett found his way inside for a bucket. As the contest progressed, the discipline of Holy Cross began to pay off as they found their rhythm behind the scoring of Davis Ball and Noah Bishop. Defensively, Holy Cross was led by Zach Fifield and Aaron Cochran as they outlasted the Gators. The Gators was led offensively by their All Star guard, Andrew Duong and Paul Bennett in a losing cause.

Showtime – Coach Moore (W) vs. 2LEGIT – Coach Ilagan(L)

The second game of the week is Showtime against 2Legit. Led by Chris “Microwave” Richardson and Evan “THE” Standard, the game has been circled in their schedule as both teams appear evenly matched on paper. The game did not disappoint as both teams traded basket early on. The bench of the Shockers, led by Marc “Mad man” Errico played solid “D” as they took a slight lead in the first half. Sol “Long Ball” Miller and Christian “Prime Time” Larson led all scorers for 2Legit but it was not enough as Showtime showed why they are the Champions as they beat 2Legit by 8.

DAWGS – Coach Milton (L) vs. Durbin Warriors – Coach Rodriguez (W)

It has been a challenging start for both teams as they try to start anew in this contest. Prior to today’s game, both teams have been anemic and had a very difficult time finding the basket. However, this is a new week and the Warriors were able to pick up a solid center off of waivers in Chandler Cummings. The Warriors had to use everyone on the bench as they kept up point for point in a wild shoot out. The DAWGS relied on the solid plays of Ethan Aldrich and Clayton “The Rookie” Dehne as they did their best to hold off a very determined Warriors. In the end, the addition of Chandler Cummings paid dividends as they come away with a “W”.

CCA Crusaders – Coach Shane Jones (L) vs. Knights – Coach Tolar (W)

The next game pits the Crusaders against the Knights of Coach Tolar. In a game where both teams have a very solid big-man, the game will be very tight. The Knight’s Delino Dumas wins the tip as Neel Kutchipudi hits a long ball as Zach Appelo answers with a bucket. The contest was back and forth between these two heavy weights with the Knights winning a very exciting game.

Next Week’s schedule:

Warriors – Coach Rodriguez vs. Holy Cross – Coach Fifield (Thursday, May 5 – 745PM)

2LEGIT – Coach Ilagan vs. DAWGS – Coach Milton (Saturday, May 7 – 330PM)

Gators – Coach Wheeler vs. CCA  Crusaders – Coach Shane Jones (Saturday, May 7 – 415PM)

Showtime – Coach Henry vs. Knights – Coach Tolar (Saturday, May 7 – 5PM)