Baltimore Area News

August 29, 2004

Attention all Baltimore Select Juniors and Seniors....

Downtown Locker Room and Timberland are teaming up to conduct a day of service at Sharp Leadenhall Elementary School in Baltimore City on September 18, 2004 from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. If you are a junior or senior looking to earn 10 hours of Community Service time towards graduation, come out and participate in this day of service. There will be food, entertainment and a rolling display showroom of new Timberland product arriving at your local Locker Room locations this fall.

We are looking for 15-25 ballers to come up a help improve the playground and park area at Sharp Leadenhall Elementary. Go www.communitybuilderstour.com for more information and to register the first 25 kids, you should contact Coach Jeff via email.

August 24, 2004

Hourihan takes a few unofficial visits....

Ryan and his family decided to hit the road and take a few unofficial visits to three of the schools looking for his services on the hardwood next year. After a grueling summer, where Ryan played very well for Select, he and the family hit the highways and visited Stone Hill, Holy Cross and the University of Albany. He has been getting looks by a few other schools and there are sure to be more when the Catholic League play begins. We will keep you up to date on his recuiting.

August 17, 2004

Thomas receives two offers; scheduled visits will be set up soon

Mt. St. Joe rising senior had a great summer with the Select program. While playing a guard position, Thomas showed his ability to shoot the ball and crash the boards. With his consistant play, Thomas has received offers from Norfolk State and Loyola College(Md), with Univ. of New Hampshire, University of Albany, Elon College and Stoney Brook showing interest in Thomas. He will be setting up visits with the coaching staffs to come to see him at school and he will also be setting up his five official visits over the next few months. Congratulations Courtney.

August 14, 2004

Select alumni prepare for colleges in Florida, Kansas and Texas

Former Select alumni and Dunbar High School graduate Barry Jennifer will be heading off to Talahassee JC and recent St. Frances graduate Gordon Brown just took a flight to Kansas yesterday to join the Coffeyville JC program. And as reported before, after spending last year at BCCC (Liberty Campus) and averaging over 20 ppg, James Taylor, former Dunbar Poet, has decided to join fellow running mate Maurice Barksdale at Blinn JUCO in Texas. All three programs play in tough JUCO conferences. Congratulations to Barry, Gordon and JT.

August 1, 2004

Select 17's fight hard but comes up short with a depleted team in the round of 32 at the 2004 Adidas Super 64

This was the final open period for the Select team to show off their individual and team skills in front of college coaches looking for new players. It was the best tourny in Las Vegas during this recruiting period. The Select pool consisted of familiar foes in the Adidas family; Tim Thomas Plazaz, IEBP and ICPB(Portland, Oregon). All teams in each pool moved onto the playoffs. The Select team cruised through the first game vs. IEBP with a first half domination by the big fellas Robbie Jackson and Brandon Albert and an even scoring effort by all team members. Select defeated IEBP 79-60.

In the second game, the team was looking forward to the second meeting in two months vs. Tim Thomas Playaz. With a 38-37 half-time lead, the team felt confident that we would continue our success and take over the game. Even with a dominating performance by Jermaine Bolden (20 points, 3 threes), the second half turnovers and a breakdown within the last 3 minutes hurt Select and the Playaz squeeked the win out 76-72.

In the third and final pool game, Select again played sloppy vs. ICBP, but Select pulled the win out 59-50 behind a great performance by Edward Tyson who lead with 15 points.

In the Round of 64 the Select team faced Connecticut Select, this was a tough fight, the undersized Connecticut team was very athletic and got to the hole at will. But, they had no match up that could stop Brandon Albert (6'7, 310 pound PF). After scoring 13 points in the first half, Coach Goodie just kept telling the guard to feed him in the second half. Albert eventually ended up with 27 points and 14 rebounds. It was a dominating performance by Albert. The Select team behind Albert's performance defeated Connecticutt 84-81 to advance to the round of 32.

After the previous game, we had to send all of our guards except Mitch Guest to Florida to play at the Nationals with Coach Corbin and the Mt. Royal Team. This was a blow to our momentum, we had to face the NE Playaz in the round of 32. We felt conficent we could get the win with a full squad. But, with our depleted team we sent in for some young reinforcements. We flew in Desmond Brown(St.Frances) and Aric Brooks (St.Frances). These two gentleman plays for the Mt. Royal 15U team that placed 3rd in the Nationals and just came off a Championship in the 16U Bracket of the West Virginia Slam Fest. We needed the bench strength, but we also thought it would be a great experience for the two rising sophomores. The game vs. the NE Playaz was tough for the Select team straight from the openning tip. There inside players were very athletic and got up and down the floor easily for uncontested layups. Halftime Select was down 39-29, but feeling good because of the play of young point guard Desmond Thomas and combo guard Aric Brooks. These young fellas will be a force to recon with over the next three years in the Catholic League. The second half, Select got the score as close as 7 and the momentum was going our way. Something happened, a few turnovers, bad shot selection and no defensive rebounding allowed the NE Playaz to pull out an 80-54 victory as time expired.

vs. IEBP 79-60 (W)
Courtney Thomas 3, Gordon Brown 10, Mitch Guest 9, Carroll Mitchell 7, Edward Tyson 8, Nate Irby 2, Jermaine Bolden 11, Ryan Hourihan 8, Robbie Jackson 9, Brandon Albert 12

vs. TT Playaz 72-76 (L)
Courtney Thomas 6, Gordon Brown 2, Mitch Guest 7, Carroll Mitchell 2, Edward Tyson 9, Nate Irby 2, Jermaine Bolden 20, Ryan Hourihan 2, Robbie Jackson 12, Brandon Albert 10

vs. ICPB 59-50 (W)
Courtney Thomas 0, Gordon Brown 0, Mitch Guest 11, Carroll Mitchell 15, Edward Tyson 6, Nate Irby 0, Jermaine Bolden 10, Ryan Hourihan 2, Robbie Jackson 7, Brandon Albert 8

Round of 64:

vs. Connecticut Select 84-81 (W)
Courtney Thomas 7, Gordon Brown 9, Mitch Guest 9, Carroll Mitchell 9, Edward Tyson 7, Nate Irby 2, Jermaine Bolden 4, Ryan Hourihan 2, Robbie Jackson 7, Brandon Albert 27

Round of 32:

vs. NE Playaz 50-84 (L)
Courtney Thomas DNP, Gordon Brown 14, Mitch Guest 14, Carroll Mitchell DNP, Edward Tyson DNP, Nate Irby DNP, Jermaine Bolden DNP, Ryan Hourihan 4, Robbie Jackson 0, Brandon Albert 13, Aric Brooks 6, Desmond Thomas 3

For all scores of the 2004 Adidas Super 64 Tournament, log onto: http://www.adidassuper64.com

July 30, 2004

Baltimore Natives on the move?

Former Baltimore Select standout makes his move. Former Illinois-Chicago University player will tranfer to local school Towson University. He will enroll at Towson in the fall. Terrance is an exposive guard who can score, play defense and kick out the assists. He will join the team in the 2005-2006 season where he will have two years of eligibility remaining. He is agreat pick up for Kennedy who wants to tie into the talent here in Baltimore.

Former Douglas High School and Baltimore Select standout may be on the move. Tyler Smith is looking to transfer from Depaul University and join Baltimore native Kenny Minor at Manhattan. Nothing is confirmed yet but we will keep you posted on the possible move for Mr. Smith.

July 20, 2004

Viva Las Vegas...

The Baltimore Select team will start its final journey of the 2004 summer at the Adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas starting July 22-26. The Select time will be trying to improve on their appearance last year.

This years team will comprise of more of the same great prospects to represent Baltimore in the biggest tournament of the season. The team will consist of Mitch Guest (Glen Burnie), Carroll Mitchell (Towson Catholic), Edward Tyson (Walbrook), Courtney Thomas (Mt. St. Joe), Ryan Hourihan (Calvert Hall), Nate Irby (Dunbar), Jermaine Bolden (Douglas), Robbie Jackson (Aberdeen), Gordon Brown (St.Frances), Brandon Albert (Glen Burnie).

For a list of when and who we play go to: http://www.adidassuper64.com

July 19, 2004

The 16U team rolls thru the HoopGroup West Virginia Summer Jam Fest

After competing in the National AAU 15U Tournament July 3rd-10th and finishing 3rd Nationally, this young team got back on the road and competed in the 16U bracket at the Summer Jam Fest. The team rolled thru pool play and the playoffs. But when they got to the final game things were looking good with about 10 minutes left and they found themselves up 10. But it wasn't over, the Cleveland Titans would not go away that easily. They fought back and eventually went up five with about 4 minutes to go in the game. Down the stretch the dominant play of Donte Green and Shawn Mosley became too much for the Titans to handle and the Select team pulled out the win 61-58. This is a culmination of a great month of July for this team finishing it off with a championship at West Virginia and a 3rd Place finish at the National 15U tourny.

July 18, 2004

Select 17's fight hard but comes up short at the Playaz Ball

This was an open period for the Select team to show off their individual and team skills in front of college coaches looking for new players. It was a great tourny set up at the beautiful campus of Seton Hall University. The Select pool consisted of familiar foes in the Adidas family; Philly MJC, NE Playaz and the Bronx Ravens. The first two teams in each pool moved onto the playoffs. The Select team was cruising through the first game with a first half domination by the big fellas Robbie Jackson and Brandon Albert. But, the second half was another story, we got away from getting the ball inside against a smaller team and eventually with four turnovers in the last two minutes, Philly MJC squeeked out a win 57-55 over Select.

In the second game, the team apparently was still feeling the sting of the first game breakdown coming out in the first half against the NE Playaz and finding themselves down by as much as 22 and at the end of the half down 17. But, with the leadership of Edward Tyson the team fought back and in the second half dominated the Playaz and eventually pulling out the win 68-63. That was the momentum we were looking for to pull us through and get us on track for a run at the Playaz Ball and eventually give us what we were looking for in the upcoming Vegas trip.

But, it was all for not, in the third game against the much smaller Bronx Ravens, Select could not continue what they acheived in the second half of the NE Playaz game with an eventual loss 64-61. With a first half lead of 41-34 it looked like we were on our way to the playoffs, but just as in the previous game you have to play to full halves to win.

vs. Philly MJC 55-57 (L)
Courtney Thomas 4, Gordon Brown 5, Mitch Guest DNP, Carroll Mitchell 9, Edward Tyson 8, Nate Irby 2, Jermaine Bolden 11, Ryan Hourihan 0, Robbie Jackson 13, Brandon Albert 6

vs. NE Playaz 68-63 (W)
Courtney Thomas 11, Gordon Brown 6, Mitch Guest DNP, Carroll Mitchell 0, Edward Tyson 16, Nate Irby 4, Jermaine Bolden 15, Ryan Hourihan 6, Robbie Jackson 0, Brandon Albert 10

vs. Bronz Ravens 61-64 (L)
Courtney Thomas 5, Gordon Brown 2, Mitch Guest DNP, Carroll Mitchell 5, Edward Tyson 11, Nate Irby 5, Jermaine Bolden 13, Ryan Hourihan 2, Robbie Jackson 10, Brandon Albert 8

July 13, 2004

Select teams will begin busy July this weekend

The Select travel teams (17U and 16U) will both begin a busy July this weekend with the 16's going to the HoopGroup West Virginia Summer Jam Fest and the 17's going to Jimmy Salmon's Adidas Playaz Ball.

This will begin a month that both teams will travel from West Virginia, New Jersey and to Las Vegas. The 15U team just got back from the AAU Nationals where they placed 3rd in the entire country, they will be trying to get that winning touch back by winning the 16U bracket at the West Virginia Summer Jam Fest; and the 17's will be trying to get on track at the Playaz Ball after failing to defend there 2003 BET DC/Pro Am title two weeks ago at George Washington University.

July 11, 2004

Baltimore Select takes third place at the 15U Nationals;
Maryland team hits 12 of 14 free throws down stretch to seal win

Baltimore Select's Dante Greene (44) shoots over teammate Sean Mosley and Nike Team Florida-FVBA's Jose Rodriguez (11) and Jordan Volton during the AAU third place game at the Dunn Center Saturday. Baltimore Select won the game 77-68.

Baltimore Select hit 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off Nike Team Florida-FBVA to take third place in the 2004 AAU Boys 15-and-under National Championships, winning 77-68 at the Dunn Center.

Overall, the Select converted on 20 of 26 attempts in the game, while Team Florida wasn't bad, hitting on 14 of 18 in the contest.

"Baltimore Select is a very good team," Team Florida coach John Calathes said. "We thought we had them going, then they started forcing it inside and we just didn't have enough to handle it."

The taller Select team got 24 second-half points from their three post players, including eight from the line in the final quarter.

"(Post players) Dante Green and Shawn Mosley woke up," Select coach Darrell Corbett said. "Eric Brooks did a good job inside coming off the bench. Their play in the third and fourth quarters was big for us."

Calathes added that the play in the second half also became more physical.

"This game was a lot like their (Select) game before," he said. "When they started to play a little more physical and the referees don't protect the little guys. That just plays against us."

Team Florida hung tough, though, as they trailed by only three, 65-62, with 2:10 left in the game, but a possible blocking call underneath the goal that could have given Team Florida a chance to cut the margin to one never came.

"There were some key plays down the stretch that hurt us," Calathes said. "We got it down to three points late and then they had that no call. What are you going to do? That's basketball."

After the no-call, the Select scored eight of their final 12 points at the line.

"The guys did a good job of getting over last nights' loss," Corbett said. "After a quick start, they slowed down a little, but they picked it back up when we went into our man-to-man defense."

Another turning point was when Select moved guard Eric Barksdale on defense to guard Team Florida's best 3-point shooter, Nicholas Calathes, holding him to four points in the final three quarters after he scored eight points in the game's first 4:29.

"Our man-to-man was able to push them out a little," Corbett said. "We put our best perimeter defender on their shooter and he did a good job of shutting him down.

"Eric did a great job on their shooter," Corbett added. "People don't think that he would be that aggressive being that small (5-foot-1), but he's strong and fearless out there."

Team Florida led for most of the first half, as they took their first lead, 9-8, on back-to-back 3s by Calathes, and led the rest of the half, including by as much as seven points (24-17) before the Select's Malcolm Delaney hit three straight 3s for his team to get them within one at the half, 33-32.

For Team Florida, it marks the fifth time in six years that the squad has made it to the final four of a AAU tournament, only to be denied.

"There's so much luck involved in getting here," Calathes said. "We felt very fortunate in getting here year in and year out.

"One of these years, maybe we'll do it (win the tournament), but if we don't, we've had a phenomenal run."

Delaney led the Select with a game-high 19 points, while Greene added 18 and Aric Brooks and Barksdale chipped in with 11 points each.

Roberson led Team Florida with 18 points, while Calathes added 12.

By CHRIS AUSTIN
The Leaf-Chronicle

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040711/localsports/822594.html

Top of page

2001 Area News Archive: Being Developed

2002 Area News Archive: January/February 2002 Area News March/April 2002 Area News May/June 2002 Area News July/August 2002 Area News September/October 2002 Area News November 2002 Area News December 2002 Area News

2003 Area News Archive: January/February 2003 March/April 2003 May/June 2003 July/August 2003 September/October 2003 November/December 2003

2004 Area News Archive: January/February 2004 March/April 2004 May/June 2004

ember 2002 Area News