Well 2009 is here and we just completed play in the Gym Rat Challenge and we entered all 3 of our teams 15, 16 and 17U. We are very proud of the accomplishments this past weekend with our 16U and 17U teams each making it to the Championship games. Our 17U team was lead by Elijah Carter, Chris Compass, DeMarcus Owens, John Caprio and Kevin Ohen. Over the course of the 2 day event the 17s defeated several nationally strong programs including YABC of Boston. We were defeated in the title game by the Houston Lynx of Houston Texas 62-52. But throughout the entire tournament the rave and surprise of the GYM RAT 17U bracket was the SPORTS UNIVERSITY 17U team. Making the All Star Team for 17U was Eli Carter the talent evaluaters wrote. Elijah Carter (6-1 PG/SG) Sports University All Stars: Very smooth and skilled player. Did a great job of involving teammates early in games and, then, scoring late when necessary. Excellent lead guard who plays game the “right” way. A playmaker who finds open teammates or creates a shot for himself. MAAC and NEC schools, and Virginia have shown interest. Andre Blackwood, John Caprio and Kevin Ohen all made honorable mention all tournament.

Our 16U team went to Albany with on one goal in mind from our last years last second lose. TO WIN IT ALL. Bracket play was tough for us, the Boston Warriors Elite squad had their eyes squarely set on us. We were down by as much as 14 pts in the 2nd half before finally turning up our pressure defense which is the hallmark of our program for all ages groups. Everyone nationally will tell you that if you’re playing SPORTSU/ TEAM IZOD you better know how to handle our defensive pressure. We finally won out over the Warriors by going on a 20 -2 run over the last 5:37 . We also had a tight nip and tuck game with the Franchise Ballers but persevered. Championship Play began on Sunday afternoon with us head to head against the Camp Pocono Trailblazer Hoop Dreams. We knew we were in for a battle with our bergen county in state foes but our defense in the second half made for a comfortable win. Next up was the Albany City Rocks Elite 16U team. They came in with a big front line of 6”9 players but our guard play, team speed and defense was too much for them. We also had 2 of our starters Jordan Quick and Lucky Jones begin to start cramping due to dehydration.

Next up was Ct Hoopstars another excellent program that has some of the best players in Conn. It was a nip and tuck contest throughout but in the end we endured although the level of physicality was at an all time high initiated by some questionable fouling tactics from our opponents. Our next game (semifinal) was against the Metro Hawks White elite team one of the top 4 basketball programs in America out of NYC. We won on 2 free throws made by Mario Moody with 2 seconds left on the clock. Little did we know that our Championship game would be against the Metro Hawks Blue team. As you can clearly tell by now even Superman would be tired at this point we did the best we could and was even leading at the half but came up short.

But for Sports U to have 2 of the final 6 teams competing at the end of the day speaks volumes to who we are and where it is we are going. GREAT JOB SPORTS U!!!!! making the All Star Squad for 16U was. Lucky Jones and Mario Moody here's what the talent scouts and College Coaches had to say. Lucious Jones (6-5 Wing) Sports University All Stars: Great athlete, one of the best in America at this level. More than capable shooter, making several from well beyond 3-point arc. Excellent at attacking the rim and finishing. Uses athleticism to create in transition. Early interest from Fordham, Quinnipiac and UNC Wilmington. Mario Moody (6-7 wing) Sports University All Stars: Outstanding, athletic wing player who will continue to get better as he adds to his 160-pound frame. Plays hard at both ends and goes hard after every rebound. Very good at driving and finishing around the rim. Early interest from George Mason and several Patriot League schools. In fact our entire starting 5 was noted with Justin Harris, G ary Nova and Jayson Johnson all getting Honarable Mention. Making Honorable Mention for our 15U squad was Jordan Forehand and Neville Fincher. Our next major event is The Rumble in the Bronx . Before we go into our live period in July with the 15s Nationals Clarksville Tenn. Main Event Las Vegas, Hoop Group16U Invitational Neptune and Morgantown WV on our schedule.