DYNAMIC SKILLS DEVELOPER

Daylin Coleman, a second grader from Eagles Landing Christian Academy, Jonesboro, GA, is one of the youngest student athlete attending Skills Development Training. This seven year old has excelled during training, out performing many others much older than he. Daylin, the son of Mr. Charles and Mrs. Yolanda Coleman, loves basketball but he also enjoys playing football, reading books and watching his favorite TV show, Sponge Bob Square Pants. His favorite subject in school is Math. It is a pleasure to have Daylin as a Skills Developer and to witness his dedication and hard work each Sunday. Atlanta Select wishes the best of luck to Daylin in all of his endeavors.

LIFE SKILLS SESSIONS DURING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

During each Skills Development Training session "Life Skills" classes are also conducted. Classes, such as disciple, education, SAT issues, morale issues, moral issues, health, public speaking, relationships, dress, and many others subjects are presented by coaches, parents and/or guest speakers. Pictured above is Coach Tony Hill speaking to the 8u-12u and the 13u-18u group, respectively, during Skills Development Training on Sunday, September 14, 2008. Atlanta Select treats "Life Skills" as equal partners to Education and Sports in its Student-Athlete Development program. The public is invited to attend these training sessions.

ATLANTA SELECT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

The Atlanta Select opened the 2008-9 Skills Development Training on Sunday, September 7, 2008. Over 50 student athletes from 35 different schools were in attendance. The top picture shows student athletes 13 and over while the bottom two pictures display the 12 and under players going through drills. The purpose of the training is to prepare young players for their fall basketball program, their next season's AAU/YBOA/USBA/BCI/NAYBA basketball program or just for personal development.The training will be held every Sunday through January 25, 2009. Boys and girls from ages 8 through 18 are welcome to attend. Please see the details of the program and a slide presentation of last year's training on this website's home page.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - 17U BOYS BLACK

Congratulations to the 17u Boys Black Team for winning the NAYBA National Championship during Labor Day Weekend. This team caught fire at the end of the season and prove to be a force to be reckon with. The team under the direction of Coaches Aaron and Kittles played numerous tournaments during the season, playing all over the southeast, earning the respect of numerous teams. There strongest opponent was their brother team, the Atlanta Select 17u White team, that played them 4 times during the championship quest. The 17u Boys White team, coached by Coach Franklin, finished second in the NAYBA national championship tournament. Congratulations to both teams for representing Atlanta Select extremely well.

IT'S ALL ABOUT EXPOSURE

You may be the best basketball player in the world but if no one ever sees you then ??? The goal is EXPOSURE, you must be seen!

The Atlanta Select 17u Boys Black Team demonstrated their talents at the "Battle of the Bluff" in Memphis, TN., recently. Even though they were not one of the top teams participating, they played well, conducted themselves with class and style and made a positive impression on the numerous college basketball scouts that were in attendance. Coaches Aaron and Kittles assembled a fine group of young men that the Atlanta Select is very proud of. We are confident that they all will be going to the next level (college) either academically and/or athletically. Check them out locally, in Atlanta, as they play in the NAYBA Nationals, August 8-10, 2008. Thanks for representing Atlanta Select, the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia and above all yourselves and your family, extremely well.

FUNDRAISING FOR THE NATIONALS

The Atlanta Select 16u Boys Red team is preparing for the AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL in July. They have been "Fundraising" for the last several weekend by selling hot food (fish, chicken, hotdogs, etc.) at a location near the corner of I-20 and North Panola Road. They will be there for the next several Saturdays between 11 AM-6 PM. The public is invited to stop by and support their efforts. For more information please contact Coach Jaret Brown 770-639-3096.

OBAMA's FATHER DAY's SPEECH

ATLANTA SELECT TEAM OF THE WEEK

Atlanta Select team of the Week for June 15 is the 14u Boys White Team coached by Coaches Christopher and Foster. This team has worked extremely hard this season, playing often on Sundays but not making the championship game. This week they did. They came in second place in the Atlanta/Dekalb 5th Annual Tournament 14u Division, earning their first trophy for the season. Their coaches have always encouraged them to "Just Keep Playing, Never Stop, Never Quit". Atlanta Select is proud of this group of fine young student athletes who never gives up. Congratulations on your achievement.

ATLANTA SELECT TEAMS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to the Atlanta Select 15u Boys Black team and the Atlanta Select 16u Boys Red team for being selected as the "Teams of the Week" for the week (May 29-June 1). Both of these teams traveled to Sceary, Arkansas to participate in the "Tournament of Champions" tournament. Both teams won their age group championship. Thanks for representing the organization well and bringing back the gold.

ATLANTA SELECT TEAM OF THE WEEK!

TEAM OF THE WEEK - ATLANTA SELECT 13U BOYS RED.

On Saturday afternoon I witnessed a game in which I felt was the game of the week by an Atlanta Select team. The 13u Boys Red team, coached by Coaches Mason, Ages and Howell, played the Sport Center Rage team. Both teams played with high intensity with the lead changing numerous times as the crowd cheered. With six other games in progress in the Suwanee Sports complex going on at the same time, this was the game the crowd wanted to see. It was a showcase. The Atlanta Select team lost by a few points.

You would think that after such a draining game these Atlanta Select 13u student athletes, and I mean student athletes with a cumulative 3.7 GPA, would not be able to bounce back. But they did, by winning all their remaining games. But the game of the week was not the Saturday's game, but the championship game on late Sunday afternoon, against the talented Inner Strength 13u Boys team. Again, the lead went back and forth with the fourth quarter ending in a tie. The tension was high. The crowd on pins and needles. But both teams approach the overtime period with the focus to win. The final score: Atlanta Select 59, Inner Strength 53. Congratulations to the mighty 13u Atlanta Select Boys Red team for outstanding play, winning the championship, earning a bid as a number one seed to the YBOA Nationals and being selected as the "Atlanta Select Team of the Week"! Great Job.

Coach Z.

TEAM EARNED TICKET TO THE YBOA NATIONALS

Congratulations to the Atlanta Select 11u Boys Silver team for earning a bid to the YBOA Division II Nationals. This team, coached by Coach James Jewett, with the players: S. Hunter Coleman, Jamie Dearing, Derrick Heard, Trey Houston, Eric Jamison, Eric Jones, Jaylin Kenner, Martee Looney II, Daniel Minor II, Richard Pennington II, Diaz Reid and Grant Whitted have had a great season. This team has participated in numerous tournaments and has earned several trophies. Now they have added another trophy plus a bid to the nationals for 2008. Great job and the best of luck in the Nationals.

ATLANTA SELECT SALUTES THE 14U BOYS RED AND WHITE TEAMS

Nearly every weekend you may see the Atlanta Select Boys 14u Red and Boys 14u White teams playing basketball. Since the beginning of April these two teams have been playing in tournaments after tournaments, AAU, YBOA, and others, every weekend. The thing that is most impressive is that these two teams have gained a lot of experience and the players have gotten better and better. The Red team coached By Coaches Sanders, Hubbard and Brown and the White team coached by Coaches Christopher and Foster have made tremendous improvement over the season. Some of these student athletes had not played organized basketball at the middle school level but now they are displaying skills that will make them highly competitive for starting positions on their school teams this fall. Thanks to the hard work of these coaches and the dedication of the players and their parents. This is just an example of the hard work being conducted and the impressive improvement being noticed by all the teams within the Atlanta Select organization. Pictured are the 14u Red and White teams at the Swanee Sports Complex this past weekend. They were only two of the twelve Atlanta Select that were playing in tournaments this weekend. Congratulations to all!

ATLANTA SELECT CONGRATULATES WALTER O.J. WARFIELD

Atlanta Select congratulates Walter O.J. Warfield as he graduates from Miller Grove HS. O.J. was an outstanding player for the Atlanta Select two years ago. An injury prevented him from playing the following year. However, during his senior year he was on the Miller Grove HS basketball team that played in the state semi-finals. Last month O.J. was selected as a member of the 2008-2009 Queen City Prep basketball Post-Graduate team of Charlotte, N.C. During the camp O.J. exhibited extreme athleticism and strength that earned him a position at the next level. He will be attending Central Piedmont Community College in the fall. O.J. is pictured with his date as they prepare for the senior prom. Atlanta Select wishes O.J. the best of luck in all his future endeavors and thanks his parents for their continued support of our program.

ATLANTA SELECT CONGRATULATES FORMER PLAYERS ON THEIR GRADUATION.

Atlanta Select congratulates Justin Jamal Allen (Miller Grove HS), Bryan Davis (SouthWest DeKalb HS)and Jerome Brown, Jr. (SouthWest Dekalb HS)on their graduation from high school. Justin who played for the Atlanta Select for two years will be attending college next year on a basketball scholarship. Bryan and Jerome were outstanding Math students in Coach Z's class in Middle School and both have also been accepted to college. We are proud of these student athletes as they move to the next level.

Atlanta Select Players - Moving to the Next Level

Congratulations goes out to two Atlanta Select Alumni, Justin Allen and Jordan Daniel. Both have signed athletic scholarships to play basketball at the college level.

Justin has signed with Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. Lincoln Memorial University is a liberal arts college committed to teaching, research and service. This university is named after our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Justin is planning on majoring in Education. Justin will be graduating from Miller Grove HS this spring. His college coach will be Josh Schertz. Jason Williams (former NBA player)has agreed to be Justin's mentor, full time, and will be conducting training with Justin at Duke University this summer.

Jordan has signed with Allen University in Columbia, SC. Allen University is a four-year, private, coed liberal arts institution that provides an undergraduate education with a strong commitment to teaching, research and service. Allen University is a member of the Historically Black College founded in 1870 by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Jordan is planning to major in Business Management. Jordan will be graduating from Creekside HS this spring. His college coach will be Timard Gates.

Atlanta Select is proud of Justin and Jordan. They were outstanding student athletes that played on the 17u Boys White team during the 2007 season. Both had been members of the Atlanta Select for several years and had opportunities to travel and be exposed all over the country. Both have been featured in the "Current NEWS" previously for their numerous accomplishments. We join with the proud parents, relatives and friends wishing them the best of luck at the next level of their development.

Playing Against the Best

To determine how you measure up with the elite of the youth basketball organization one must play against the best. Last weekend the 12U Lady Select Black Team played in the "Rumble on the River" tournament in Memphis, TN. They played against the number 1, 7th and 9th ranked teams in the nation. The team lost to the number 1 team, the Pistols, but competed well against the other ranked teams, only falling short by 4 points in both games. An outstanding effort was given by the team's MVP of the tournament, Mia Marshall. Mia then had a "Block Party" and invited every opponent. What a class act. Heading the "defensive charge" for the team was Courtney Gardner, who was forced to play a new position, did a great job forcing ball handlers to turn over the ball. The "offensive player" of the tournament was Rebecca Walker, who average 8 points per game. The "sixth man" award goes to Morgan Jones (not pictured), who had a great tournament, coming off the bench and providing great guard play and leadership. Honorable Mention goes to Nadia Miller. Even while sick she gave her team great energy off the bench. All of the players of the Atlanta Select 12u Lady Select Black team are commended for taking on the challenge, measuring their effectiveness and playing with heart and style. They are preparing for a great season by starting off playing against the best with the best. Go Ladies!

Atlanta Select Player of the Week - Marcus Reid

Atlanta Select Player of the Week is Marcus Reid, a member of the 9U Boys Silver team. Marcus is seven years old and because of his basketball IQ and athleticism he earned a starting role at the shooting guard position with the 9u team during the Duluth Hoopfest tournament. Marcus played his position very well on offense and defense. His contribution was especially valuable on defense where he harassed the opposing point guards by trapping at mid court. Marcus showed skill and lots of courage by creating turnovers and getting involved in tying up or retrieving numerous loose balls. Whenever there was a struggle for a loose ball, Marcus was on the floor in the mix. Marcus made you proud by demonstrating the Atlanta Select style of play involving confident, aggressive and relentless pursuit during the game. Because of Marcus' contribution to the team effort, the 9U Silver team earned the second place trophy in the Duluth Hoopfest tournament. The Atlanta Select is extremely proud of Marcus and his teammates for their outstanding play and by adding to the 2008 Trophy Count.

Play the Game, Know the Game, Teach the Game, Coach the Game - Atlanta Select Coaches' Team

The coaches of the Atlanta Select play as a team in a local Adult League. They believe that playing or have played the game of basketball, adds substance to the role of being an effective coach. Playing the game provides the coach an understanding of the dynamics that a player must face in game situations and gives the coach a perspective of the player. Thus, when the coach is in the coaching role, he/she has a better connection to the player and the game overall. Coaches themselves must be life long learners of the game of basketball and be able to play the game as well as teach and coach. The Atlanta Select coaches are on a winning streak. You can see them play on Wednesday nights at Rosel Fann Recreational Center.

Aqua Training for the Hardwood

The Atlanta Select Teams are preparing for the season with various conditioning and endurance exercises. A few teams run up and around Stone Mountain, others teams run laps around the gymnasium floor and some teams run in water. Pictured are members of the 17u Boys Red team undergoing endurance training being conducted by a qualified Aqua Specialist. The goal is for all Atlanta Select teams to be physically fit whereas they can meet the demands of a competitive basketball season.

Atlanta Select Player of the Week - Aneesa Watson

Atlanta Select Player of the Week (March 3 - 9) is Aneesa Watson. Aneesa is a member of the Atlanta Select 12u Girls Silver team who played last weekend in the USSSA March Madness Tournament in Knoxville, Tn. The team had a successful tournament by playing on Sunday (the indication that you made it to the play-offs). She lead the scoring by averaging 24 points per game. Aneesa is a seventh grade student athlete at M.D. Roberts Middle School who carries a 4.0 GPA. Atlanta Select salutes Aneesa Watson for being a star on the hardwood and in the classroom!

In Flight Toward Another National Championship - 11u Boys Black Team

After winning back to back USBA National Championships, the major goal of the 11u Boys Black team, this year, is to return to the AAU Nationals. Last year the team travelled to Des Moine Iowa with only seven players and made it to the "Sweet Sixteen". This year the AAU Nationals will be held in Cocoa Beach Florida and hopefully with two "big men" added to the roster, the team is expected to do more damage. In preparation, the team will play in the Disney Easter Classic later this month, the Kingwood Classic in Houston, Texas next month and the Maryland Invitational in June. Demetrius McNeal, pictured above, is in flight, leading his team toward the AAU National Championship goal. Last weekend the team won the championship at the YBOA Marietta TCB Classic, defeating Team World Wide 48 - 11. Continue to fly high Atlanta Select 11u Boys Black. We are proud of you!

The QUEST Begins - 10u Boys Black

The 10u Boys Black team is on the hunt for the AAU National Championship. First, they must qualify to participate in the AAU National Championship tournament. They have done this, by winning the AAU Super Regional on March 9, 2008 in North Augusta, SC. In previous years they earned the USBA and the YBOA National Championship titles. Now their "Quest" is for the AAU National Championship. This team thoroughly demonstrate our concept of "SYNERGY" by working hard on and off the court and in the classroom. Here you see them socializing at a teammate's birthday party on the road. Check out their team page for a closer look at this dynamic team. The Atlanta Select is extremely proud of their accomplishments and wish them continued success.

Paticipating in the High School Basketball Play-offs!

Atlanta Select provides "Best Wishes" to the many high school basketball players that are now in the "play-offs" for the Georgia State Championship. Dozens of these student athletes played for the Atlanta Select teams last summer and proved that they were prepared for an exciting high school basketball season. These student athletes attend high schools throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and many now find themselves playing against each other, all in friendly but very serious competition. We are extremely proud of the success of these student athletes and again, wish them the "best of luck" toward achieving the Georgia State Championship.