Atlanta Select NEWS - Friday, April 22, 2011

Greeting Atlanta Select Family and Friends.


It's been nearly two weeks since the last extended NEWS email and a lot has happened. I am glad to report that the State of the Organization is still STRONG. We are in the peak period of the AAU season and we are holding our own.

But I want to report some good news on an Atlanta Select personal family issue first. Coach Randy Foster, who is taking a leave of absence from coaching this year to spend more times with his grands, call me earlier in the week. If you did not know, Coach Foster has been experiencing some health issues for the last few years but it did not stop him from coaching. He lead the Boys WHITE team for three years, earning several championships and reporting this year of a number of his players being recruited and accepted in to college. That made him very proud. He has been on the waiting list for a Kidney transplant for years. Good NEWS, he learned this week that it may be very soon as his named is near the top of the list. We wish him good health and a speedy recovery and thank him for his continued support of Atlanta Select. Keep the Faith. GOD Bless.

As you know, we have Atlanta Select Coaches serving our country in the war zone. Coach Miyoshi Lanier has been in Iraq for several months and will be returning home later this year. We know how much Coach Wallace Lanier (Tenth Grade WHITE) miss his assistant coach and spouse but he is carrying on quite well. But the highlight goes to SSG (Mrs.) Lanier at this time as she has been selected as "Solider of the Week". Obviously she is doing an outstanding job in the war zone and we wish her GOD Speed and a safe return home. Congratulations.

Two weekends ago, with a number of teams playing on Sunday, we did not earn a trophy. It made history. Things have changed. Eight of the sixteen team we had playing in organized tournaments last weekend earned trophies. The count is now up to 29 for the season. Only 70 more to go. Eight in one weekend is great.

Leading the pack was the Mighty Second Grade Boys Team RED, Coaches James and Coleman, who won the AAU State championship, earning the top seed from Georgia at the AAU Nationals.

By the way this team is also number one in YBOA rankings. Go the mighty Second Grade RED team.

Championship trophies were earned by the Fifth and Sixth Grade Boys SILVER teams in the DeKalb Eagles' tournament. These teams coached by Coaches Baskerville and Christopher consistently earned trophies. They are scheduled to play in a YBOA tournament in LaGrange this weekend. Both teams will be playing up in grade.

Two weeks ago the Mighty Seventh Grade Boys SILVER Team went 3-0 in pool play but lost in the quarter finals. But Last week they were undefeated as they captured the championship in the YBOA Cherokee Roundball Classic. No more messing around. They are on a roll.

Earning their third trophy for the season and their first Championship is the Mighty Ninth Grade Boys Team RED (Coach Burton). Sporting their new Atlanta Select POINT 3 uniforms they took the gold at the YBOA Duluth Classic, defeating teams that they faced in the past. It is a fact they are getting better week by week. They will be at the top of their game when they play in the Corey Brewer tournament in two weeks.

Carrying the banner for Atlanta Select at the AAU State and earning a third place bid to represent the State of Georgia at the AAU Nationals is the Mighty Tenth Grade Boys BLACK Team (Coach Walker). In several overtime games the team displayed the relentless that was necessary to earned a trophy. Congratulations.

As always the Lady Select Eleventh/Twelfth Grade RED Elite Team won another championship. Every tournament that they have been in this year they have won. They earned their third trophy at the D1Spects tournament last weekend. Go Coach Kelly, Coach Jackson and the Lady Selects.

The Atlanta Select Eleventh Grade Boys WHITE Team was successful in a NAYBA tournament, finishing second place in a tournament consisting of many teams from out of state. Congratulations to Coach Christopher and his team. Picture was not available at press time.

Another team that had a stellar performance last weekend was our newest Eleventh Grade Boys Team, The RED team coached by Coach Williamson. They finished 2-1 in a NASBA tournament that did have a play -off. This team will do battle in the Eric Snow tournament this weekend.

The Tenth Grade Boys Team SILVER, Team PRIME, Team WHITE and Team Diamond played diligently in the AAU and also prepared to go to the AAY Nationals if they desired. They are ready.

Atlanta Select student athletes were invited to participate in the grand opening of the extension to Piedmont Park on Thursday of this week. They participated as the guest of Converse Open Gym. Converse constructed several outdoor courts at Piedmont Park and gave them to the City of Atlanta. Our players were invited to play on the newly constructed courts along with Doctor J.

This weekend we will have teams In LaGrange, GA for a YBOA Tournament, several teams participating in the Eric Snow Tournament, several teams playing in 3 on 3 tournaments a team in the NSABA tournament and several teams supporting community action projects to include the opening of the expansion of Piedmont Park.

Atlanta Select Annual LIP, CHIP, & SIP will be held Monday, April 25, 2011. All Coaches are to attend.

Go Select.

Have a GOOD Friday and Happy Easter!