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.