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.

Outstanding Student Athletes

Nick Murphy and Brandon Dawson, two Atlanta Select star student athletes, are performing well in the classroom and on the basketball court. Nick, a sophomore at Lakeside HS, an avid chess player and a member of Coach Hill's 17u team and Brandon, a sophomore at Tucker HS, an aspiring artist and member of Coaches St Clair's, Dawson's and Daniel's 16u team, met on the court recently. Both are "starters" as sophomores, on their high school teams. Both have demonstrated that they are a force to be reckon with on the floor. Nick excels in shooting with an accurate and deadly three point shot. Brandon excels at defense, blocking shots right and left and grabbing rebounds. But above all, they are excellent students, taking advance classes and preparing for life after basketball. Also noteworthy, on how they both project self-confidence, authority and enthusiasm while working harmoniously and effectively - traits of great teammates, dynamic leaders and future champions in whatever game they play in life. We are proud of Nick and Brandon. Keep up the good work at Lakeside and Tucker High Schools!

Thanks for Supporting Skills Development Training

The Atlanta Select Basketball Association would like to thank all that supported the Skills Development Training this season. Over 150 student athletes attended sessions. An award ceremony was held at the last session, recognizing several student athletes. The training will begin again on September 7, 2008. Please click on "Skills Development" on the home page for a slide show and information on the training. Thanks to all and watch for "Tryouts" dates posted on the "calendar".

ATLANTA SELECT COACHES AND TEAM PARENT MEETING

The Atlanta Select held its annual season "kickoff" meeting recently. The purpose of the meeting was to recognize achievement for the 2007 season and to outline plans for the 2008 season.

"Coach of the Year" honors were presented to Gerald "G" Stewart, the coach of the 9u and 10u boys "Black" teams. Coach "G" won three national championships (YBOA & two USBA) in 2007. His 10u team won back to back national USBA championships. They repeated the glory they earned in 2006. His teams played all over the nation: in Ohio, Florida, Iowa and South Carolina, winning the respect of all the team they encountered.

"Runner-up Coach of the Year" honors were presented to Andre "Dove" Mandeldove, the coach of the 11u girls "Black" team. Coach Dove's team qualified for both the AAU and YBOA nationals, earning numerous trophies en route to that achievement. Coach Dove received his award during the "Skills Development Training' the next day.

"Outstanding Coaches Awards" were presented to Elliot "Boone" Hill, the coach of the 17u boys "Black" team. Coach Boone showcased his team throughout the nation, providing exposure to his rising seniors, all are now starters on their high school teams. And to Robert "Rob" Daniel, the coach of the 15u boys "Black" team. Coach Rob guided his team to a dynamic showing in Las Vegas last summer during the major Vision Sports tournament. While Coach Rob was away during his lawyer thing and missed the meeting, his award was accepted by his team parent, Mrs. Sara Golightly.

The Atlanta Select 75 coaches and team parents for the 2007 season are commended for their hard work and the overall success achieved during the 2007 season. They guided their young student athletes to achieve accolades in the classroom, valuable life skills experiences while earning a total of 77 trophies for the season. They are fulfilling the principles of the organization, Education, Life Skills and Sports.

The coaches and team parents exchanged ideas and plans for the new season, (senior coaches talked to junior coaches, parents talked to parents, coaches talk to parents) preparing for the best season ever, using SYNERGY as its glue. The WNBA representative, Eric Schirmer, was on hand to discuss the relationship between the Atlanta Select and the Atlanta Dream. The meeting ended with a feeling that the 2008 season is getting off to a great start.