E.B.B.

This weekend the EBB 14U was looking to break its streak of going to Championship Games not coming out on top after winning their first 2 of the season. Their weekend started with the mission to not allow any team to get in its way of winning a Championship at the Battle at Brandeis Tournament. Their first game was a statement game against the N.H. Flight, which EBB took control of from start to finish winning 55-24 and on to their first step to winning a Championship, which eluded them the past couple of tournaments. Their next game was against VBC Premier Pinnacle, EBB again started strong and finished strong going on to defeat VBC Premier 62-38 and on to the Semi-Finals Sunday morning. In the Semi-Finals EBB did not look past the Mass Blue Devils and in a business like manner took control of the game early and often on their way to an 69-13 victory and on to the Championship Game. In the Championship Game they faced tough and athletic NJ Hill Toppers Heat team that gave them a run for their money cutting a 16 point to even the game at 43. In the end it was the leadership of Isaiah Williams(28 points), Isaiah Gaiter(14 points), DeAaron Lawrence(15 points)and Rondell Bothroyd(10) leading the way. On the defensive end Rakesh Tibby and Michael Brooks control the middle with their blocks and their control of the boards. EBB runs away with the game and the Championship 70-49!!!!!!!!!!

EBB players also made the Honorable Mention List
1) Power Forward Michael Brooks
2) Guard Marcus Goss

Gym Rat All Tournament Team Members from Education before Basketball:
1) Guard Isaiah Williams
2) Guard DeAaron Lawrence
3) Small Forward Melvin Floyd III
4) Center Rakesh Tibby
5) Small Forward Isaiah Gaiter

While playing in the Gym Rat Challenge this past weekend 2 of the EBB players (Isaiah Williams and Melvin Floyd)had the privilege of meeting Legendary Syracuse Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim. Like I tell our youth “you never know who is watching”.

This past weekend the EBB 14U travel to N.Y. to play in the well known Gym Rat Challenge. Their first game against the NJ Gym Ratz was a defensive show put on by the young men representing EBB winning by the score of 80-44 and on to their next challenge the Ring City Elite. In their second game EBB continued to apply defensive pressure and walked away with a 57-43 victory. EBB’s third game was against the WNY Braves, which again proved to be a defensive show by the young men of EBB winning by the score 59-21 and on to the Quarter finals against the CT Elite. In the battle of CT teams EBB proved to be too much and defeated the CT Elite 47-32 and on to the Semifinals against East Side Hoops. In the Semifinals EBB pushed the East Side Hoops team to limit by going into OT. In the extra period EBB fell to the East Side Hoops team 50-46. Again another stellar performance by the young men of EBB.