AJC 2009 SUPER 11, ATLANTA SELECT SALUTES.

Atlanta Select proudly salutes two of its former players that have been highlighted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC)as 2009 Super 11 Football Players, T.J. Stripling (Southwest Dekalb HS) and Garrison Smith (Douglass HS). T.J. played for the 14u, 15u, 16u Boys Black Team under Coach Collier St. Clair and Garrison played for the 15u Boys Red Team Under Coach Tony Hill.

These two outstanding all-a-round student athletes excelled on the basketball court and the football field, plus they both were excellent students in the classroom. Above all they are both great citizens who we feel comfortable will make a significant impact on their college football teams. Congratulations and we wish them both the best of luck and thanks for being part of and supporting Atlanta Select.

NEW TEAM FOR 2010, 15U BOYS TEAM PLATINUM

Atlanta Select announces a new team for the 2010 Youth basketball season, the 15u Boys Team Platinum. The head coach is Coach John Hardy who comes with a vast amount of experience supervising and playing basketball, but more importantly, with a dedication of working with young people. He played high school basketball in Germany while living with his family on a military assignment. He played college basketball for four years and earned a degree in Sports Science. He served as an Athletic Trainer at the college level, Youth Director for middle school students and most recently(for the last three years) as a Morale, Welfare and Recreational (MWR) Specialist for the military community at Balad Air Base in Iraq.

His goal is to assist in the maturation process of young boys who will soon be men, and provide them with the necessary tools to become the best basketball player, teammate, student athlete and productive citizen they can be. His team will serve the North Cobb area to include the city of Kennesaw. With Coach Hardy's leadership, look for an exciting season from the Atlanta Select 15u Boys Team Platinum. You may contact Coach Hardy at johnhardy41@hotmail.com.

NEW TEAM FOR 2010, 15U BOYS TEAM SILVER

Atlanta Select announces a new team for the 2010 youth basketball season, the 15u Boys Team SILVER. The head coach is Coach Clyde Copeland who has a track record as an advocate for kids and who has realized that there are many avenues to get involved in a positive manner. The Brooklyn, New York native from the Bedford-Stuyvesant area, has lived in Decatur, GA for over 18 years. He is involved in the county's school mentoring program plus the county's Judicial Citizen Panel Review (a program that finds good homes for foster children). He has coached basketball at Greenforest Community Baptist Church for several different age groups, for several years, successfully.

He believes we should lead and develop our young boys and girls in a positive manner utilizing the gifts God has blessed us with. His goal is to lead by example and develop all children whose lives he touches into the stars they are, on and off the court. He lives by the words: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven". Atlanta Select is honored to have Coach Copeland to lead the Atlanta Select 15u Boys Team Silver. You may contact Coach Copeland at ckkbc@hotmail.com.

Most Valuable Players Back to School Hoopfest.

Atlanta Select had two teams that won championships in the Georgia Tar heel's "Back to School Hoop fest", held at Shiloh High School in Gwinnett County, August 7-9, 2009.

The MVP in the 13u Division was Demetrius "Meet" McNeal, a member of the 12u Atlanta Select Boys Black Team. Demetrius has been playing with the Atlanta Select for the last 5 years and is known as the shortest but one of the most dynamic point guards in the nation in his age group. But his height does not matter because he has the biggest heart, refined talent and natural leadership ability that has lead his team to 3 national championships. He has showcased his talent all over the United States in AAU, YBOA, USBA and Invitational tournaments. He is pictured above with his his coaches (Coach Stewart & Coach Gates) and his teammates of the mighty 12u Boys Black team.

The MVP in the 17u Division was Shaquille Johnson, a member of the Atlanta Select Boys Red Team. Shaquille is only 15 year old but was selected for a 17u team because of his talent, determination and drive. He is often called a "Man Child" among his peers because of his aggressive play. He attends Salem High School in Conyers and we are certain that he will be a major force for next couple years at that school. He is pictured with his Atlanta Select head coach, Coach Jarett Brown.

Congratulations to these talented student athletes. Go Select!

ATLANTA SELECT NEWEST TEAM

A New Beginning-- Atlanta Select newest team is the 16u Boys Team Silver. Head Coach Payton has begun recruiting members for his 16u team for the 2009-10 season. The first two players are Jalen Javers, 6'2", 220 lbs Guard from Meadow Creek High School and Ramonte Butler, 6'3", 240 lbs Forward from Douglas High School. These two outstanding high school players form the core of the new team. The team has started already planning for the 2010 season as they are raising funds to travel all over the nation to the major "Showcase" tournaments next Spring and Summer. For more information about this team please contact Head Coach Dajaun Payton, 770-866-4418, email:dajuanp2000@yahoo.com. Go Atlanta Select 16u Silver.

11u Boys Silver at the YBOA Nationals

The Atlanta Select 11u Boys Team Silver provided outstanding representation with a stellar performance at the YBOA 11u Division II tournament in Polk County Florida, June 28-July 4. With only 6 players, they were thoroughly tested during 6 hotly contested tournament games against teams from Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia and Tennessee. The six players demonstrated what the Atlanta Select motto was all about. They were confident, aggressive and relentless in each contest. Their "never give up attitude" was recognized by the referees, opposing coaches and the fans. We salute Isaiah Gaddy for his "All Tournament Selection". The other dedicated players consisted of Derrick Lottie, Ronald Williams, Bennett Fahsel, Marcus Woodard and Jaylen Clement. Congratulations to Coach Baskerville and his six dedicated players for their outstanding performance, bringing back their National Trophy and most of all representing Atlanta Select extremely well. SYNERGY!

Atlanta Select History Making Weekend

Congratulations to the Mighty Atlanta Select 14u Boys Team Black for making history for the organization on Father's Day Weekend. The team signed up to participate in one tournament, did not receive timely confirmation, thus signed up for another tournament and then was selected to play in both. The team played in the DC Blazer Father's Day Classic and won the championship. Later on Sunday afternoon they played in the championship game in the Dekalb Eagles Summer Classic finishing second. In one tournament they played against a team that was 16u and won.
This team has welcomed the addition of a few new players that understood the concept of Synergy and played hard. Coaches Walker and Moore are to be commend for the time and effort putting this team together and achieving such tremendous success thus far. Congratulations to the 14u Boys Black team for giving it all they got! SYNERGY.

Go Select.

ATLANTA SELECT TEAMS OF THE WEEK, MAY 23, 2009

Team of the Week honors is shared by the Atlanta Select 13u Boys Team Black, the 15u Boys Team White and the 16u Boys Team White.

The 13u Boys won the championship in the YBOA Memorial Day Classic by defeating the DC Blazers. This team has won 10 games in a row in tournament play winning championships in their last two tournaments. The key to the success in a semifinal game was the effort by Tylon Bynum who scored 23 points sealing the game. Congratulations to Coach Davis and the mighty 13u Black team.

The 16u Boys won the championship in the Henry County Memorial Bay Classic by defeating a team that beat them in a previous tournament by 20 points. The same team had beat them by 2 points earlier in the day but they met in the championship game. In the championship game the team was down most of the game but with 5 minutes left the team displayed the SYNERGY that they had been taught and won the game. Congratulations to Coach Foster and the mighty 16u White team.

The 15u Boys won the championship in the NAYBA Memorial Day Classic by defeating a 17u team, Camp Jordan) from Detroit Michigan. This tournament had a mixture of team participating in the same age group. The 15u Boys did not realize that they were playing against older boys until the championship game. But this team is tested, consistently playing on Sundays for the entire season, thus they are well prepared to meet any challenge. congratulations to Coach Christopher and the mighty 15u White team. Team picture will be added later.

What is a Student Athlete? JAQUAN PEEPLES

Jaquan Peeple, a member of the Atlanta Select 14u Boys Team White and a student graduating from Montgomery Middle School, is a true student athlete. At his school he was selected MVP and the best offensive and best defensive basketball player for the school year. But more importantly, he scored in the top 5% on the CRCT's and received the "President Award" for being a top student. He is a key player on his Select team that has won four trophies thus far, this season. His coach and Dad, Wallace Lanier, his teammates and the entire Atlanta Select organization are very proud of Jaquan and wish him continued success.

ATLANTA SELECT TEAM OF THE WEEK, MAY 17

The Atlanta Select Team of the Week, May 17, 2009 is the 15u Boys Team Red coached by Coaches Sanders and Hubbard. A month ago this team entered its first tournament and did not win a game. The team thought about taking a few weeks off and going back to the gym and practice. They were advised that their game was solid and the problem was the lack of focus and a sense of SYNERGY. The team was advised to start playing every weekend. And since that time they have played on Sunday, three weeks in a row, resulting in this past Sunday playing in the championship game. The team finished as "Runner-up" in the YBOA Summer Challenge.

The Atlanta Select is extremely proud of this team for displaying the perseverance and SYNERGY that makes champions. The coaches and student athletes of the 15u Boys team Red can be justifiable proud of their accomplishments thus far this season.

Watch out for next weekend.

44 TROPHIES AND 4 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the three and half years of Atlanta Select operations the organization has earned over 200 championship and runner-up trophies. Forty four of those trophies have been earned by teams coached by Coaches G. Stewart, M. Gates, M. Harris and L. Whitted. These coaches have guided the Atlanta Select Boys Black Team since they were 9u to 12u today. They usually have two teams, one a year older than the other. These teams, in addition to winning 44 trophies, have won four national championships, one YBOA and three USBA.

Coach Gates, who is the proprietor and lead trainer at Best Fitness by Pharr, in Buckhead, recently installed, a "Trophy Case" in his center to display the teams' trophies. Friends, fans and former players are invited to visit the center at 360 Pharr Road to view the trophies and enjoy a complimentary personal fitness consultation and Free training session. All ages are welcome, with special programs for sports, teens and the over 50 crowd.

Congratulations to the 12u Boys Black Team and their former players for their unparalleled achievement.