Henry leads Athletes First to Gold
The 16 Under Boys Basketball Super Showcase started an exciting time of basketball action in Orlando. In one of the best venues for sporting events Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex is ready to host many exciting basketball games over the next two weeks. Some of the best 16-year-olds in the country are down here showing off their skills and helping their teams win games. Let's take a look of what teams played well and who are the stars of tomorrow!
Championships
Gold Division
Athletes First 74, Birmingham Storm 66 In the battle of future stars class of 2009 Xavier Henry scored 21 points to help Athletes First win the Gold. Henry is a highly skilled wing forward with great skill. DeMarcus Cousins (Birmingham, Ala.) who is a big time talent went for 19.
Others games
Silver Division
Birmingham Ice 73, Ymoca Tigers 67
Bronze Division
BABC 83, Florida Select 65
Copper Division
Nike Team Florida 64, Team Florida 47
Team-by-team notebook
Athletes First: 6-6 junior Xavier Henry (Oklahoma City) is a multi-talented player. Excellent 3-point shooter, along with the ability to drive to the rim and finish. 6-9 rising junior Daniel Orton (Oklahoma City) is loaded with strength and skill for his position. He needs to play with more a consistent effort to reach his potential. 6-8 junior Kyle Hardrick (Norman, Okla.) is an athletic front-court player with some skill. 6-2 junior Ryan Randolph (Oklahoma City) can stroke it from deep.
BABC: 5-9 sophomore Phil Pressey (Ashburnham, Mass.) has all the makings of a top flight point guard. He scores in the lane with the floater and can knock down open jumpers. What he does best is deliver the rock for the assist. He is the son of former NBA great and current New Orleans Hornets assistant coach Paul Pressey. Other major talents on this team include juniors Malik Smith (Boston), Gerald Coleman (Boston), Jamal Coombs (Boston) and Alex Oriakhi (Lowell, Mass.).
Birmingham Ice: 6-7 rising junior Edward Daniel (Birmingham, Ala.) showed his athleticism and skill slashing his way to the basket. He blocks shots at the defensive end as well. Keep your eye on rising junior Eric Bledsoe (Birmingham, Ala.), a scoring point who can take over a game.
Birmingham Storm:6-9 rising junior DeMarcus Cousins is a highly skilled combo forward who scores, rebounds and blocks shots. He's one of the best in the class of 2009.
Carolina Celtics: Watch out for 6-6 scoring machine Khris Middleton (N. Charleston, S.C.). He is a junior.
National Christian Academy: They have two high level players. 6-5 junior Joston Thomas (Fort Washington, Md.) can beat you with skill or power and 6-9 junior Dante Taylor (Fort Washington, Md.) blocks shots and runs the floor well.
Reach Legends: 6-5 junior Gerald Bridges (Detroit) shoots it deep with range. 6-6 junior Dion Sims (Detroit) is a good athlete who can score.
Rising Stars Gold: 6-5 sophomore Dennis Hodges (Chicago) is a long lanky slasher who can get to the rim and score or kick it out for the assist.
South Florida Heat: 6-9 junior Keion Palmer (Miami) is loaded with ability. He is a long lanky athlete who thrives in the transition game. 6-2 sophomore Charles Hankerson, Jr. (Miami) is a tough combo forward with skills. 6-4 guard Shawn Jones (Miami) is a strong athlete who can finish around the basket.
Team Final: 6-2 sophomore Tony Chenault (Philadephia) is the ultimate scoring guard. He is super in transition and makes great decisions with the ball. He knows when to score, when to give it up and is one of the best point guards in 2010. Watch out for 6-8 junior Andre Gillette. He possesses good instincts in the low post.
Coaching the Yomca Tennessee Tigers is former Vanderbilt standout Patrick "Drew" Maddux who played in this tournament years ago with the Tennessee Travelers. He now is the boys head basketball coach at Christ Presbyterian academy in Nashville, Tenn.
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