NE Playaz Take Inaugural First Eight Title
July 11, 2009 New England Hoop News Staff
College coaches from every major conference east of the Mississippi River took to the Mass Mutual Center in downtown Springfield, MA to watch an intense day of AAU basketball. Sixteen of the top 17u and 16u teams (eight in each group) battled it out to be crowned champion of Basketbull’s inaugural First Eight tournament. Below, are some of the highlights from the 17u action:
- The day started off with a bang as Grassroots Canada defeated Mass Rivals 65-61 in overtime thanks in part to Brady Heslip’s 22 points (five 3’s)…more on Heslip later. Jordan Laguerre and Matt Brown added 15 points each from the Rivals who lead by double digits in the second half but couldn’t hold off a rally.
- Expressions Elite, a New England-based program, more than held their own again the talent-laden Florida Rams squad in the opening round, but ultimately fell 71-63. Billy Baron had 21 points and Rod Odom chipped in with 11 (all in the second half) for Expressions. However, the Rams duo of Lousiville commit Josh Langford and 7’0 Fabricio DeMelo combined for 35 points to lead the visitors from the Sunshine State.
- The other local teams in the tournament, CBC and NE Playaz won their opening round games over New Heights and Team Philly respectively. The two then matched up with each other in the semis in a mythical New England championship. Austin Carroll (15 points) got off to a hot start with 10 first half points including a couple deep triples which helped the Playaz out to a 33-24 lead.
CBC’s 6’8 stud Majok Majok (10 points) helped try to keep his team close by attacking the rim inside. Each time CBC looked poised to cut deep into the lead, the Playaz would answer with Dartaye Ruffin (13 points) who used his strong frame to finish everything in the paint.
- In the finals, the Playaz matched up with Grassroots Canada, even though both teams were missing two key contributors but still were able to advance to this highly competitive tournament. The game was delayed a few minutes as several of the Grassroots players overslept from their afternoon nap. After an opening 8-0 run by the Playaz, it was evident the both from up north were still playing half-asleep.
A 15 point Playaz lead at the half was quickly erased however, as Brady Heslip (16 points – four 3’s) was able to find some space…to a tune of 11 points in less than four minutes. Grassroots cut the lead to just 4 on several occasions but they couldn’t get any closer. In the end the inside trio of Dartaye Ruffin, Alex Francis and Javon McRae were too much for the Canadians to handle as they combined for 38 points en route to a 59-51 victory and the title of First Eight Champions.
Other Notes:
- Heslip had the gym (and college coaches) buzzing after the first Grassroots game with his limitless range, yet his eight 3 – 24 point performance was the most impressive individual game of the day.
- NE Playaz’ Anthony Ireland didn’t put up a whole lot of points but ran his team’s offense extremely well and, just like he did at Crosby HS, hit tough shots when they needed it.
- If Heslip was the best shooter in the gym, CBC’s Steve Glowiak was a close second. The 6’2 shooting guard has a quick release, but his ability to get into the lane makes him an overall offensive weapon.
- In the consolation game, Expressions was able ride behind Baron (22 points, 17 in the 2nd half) to beat Mass Rivals 68-56. Beside Baron, the defense of both Odom and Imho Satis had to be credited for shutting down Rivals’ Carson Desroisers (6 points).
- Head Coaches in attendance: Rick Pitino – Louisville, John Thompson III – Georgetown, Jim Baron – URI, Tommy Amaker – Harvard, Bill Herrion – UNH, Charlton Young – Georgia Southern, among others. Assistants from (among others): Syracuse, St. John’s, Penn State, Miami (FL), FSU, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech.
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