Boston Warrior AAU Boy's Basketball: Warrior News: 16-Under State Tournament
16-Under State Tournament
by Phil Kasiecki
CHELSEA, Mass. - The 16-under state tournament took place in Massachusetts over the past couple of weekends, with 24 teams vying for four bids to AAU Nationals in July. The first weekend, held during the last live weekend of April (the tournament was not live for Division I coaches) was for pool play, while this past weekend saw the playoff rounds.
Saturday night saw the shocker of the tournament, as heavily favored BABC lost in the round of 16 to the Raiders. The game was close throughout, as the Raiders stayed right there and had the lead at various points in the game before the stretch run. BABC was fresh off a blowout win right before this game.
Overall, the talent in this year's field was decidedly down from last year. It's not too surprising considering last year was widely regarded as a special year, which has us looking forward to the playoff rounds next weekend in the 17-under state tournament. The simple fact is that Massachusetts isn't overloaded with homegrown Division I talent and the class of 2008 is a cut above many others in recent years.
The championship game looked like it could become a blowout early, but wound up being a dandy. After the Boston Warriors Elite scored the game's first four points, the Mass Renegades Black scored the next 14 and led by double digits for most of the half, including a 37-25 edge at halftime. Then the Warriors came back, going on a 19-2 run early in the second half to take a 48-43 lead. After that, the game went back and forth, and just when it seemed the Renegades might seal it in regulation, a late three-pointer sent the game to overtime tied at 72. The Renegades took over in the extra session, scoring the first seven points and nine of the first 11 en route to an 88-80 overtime win.
Jim Noel (6'5" So. SF, Everett (MA) High) led the Renegades with a game-high 23 points, while high school teammate Diovanni McCloud (5'11" So. PG, Everett (MA) High) added 20. The Warriors got 20 points from Akeem Williams (5'11" So. PG-SG, Brockton (MA) Avon HS) to lead the way.
BABC South took third place with a 71-59 win over the Raiders. All four teams will compete in the 16-under national tournament in Clarksville, Tennessee in July.
Now, we take a look at some of the individual talents that were in this event. A good number of them have some ways to go to play Division I basketball, but have a chance. Additionally, this list will not be exhaustive as complete information was not available on all participants.
Class of 2009
Akeem Williams (5'11" SG, Brockton (MA) Avon HS) There wasn't a better shooter than this well-built guard, at least until the title game when his offense reversed from the entire weekend. His early round efforts were full of three-pointers: five en route to 33 points, then three more in a 21-point effort, and five more en route to 26 points in the semifinal. Then in the title game, he struggled to shoot but scored often on drives, where he had difficulty prior to that game. His game off the dribble looked better as the weekend went along; if he can grow a few more inches, he could be a solid prospect.
Class of 2010
Prentis Douglas (6'3" SF, Brockton (MA) High) Athletic wing already has a rather mature body but an immature game, one that at times seems to be as much for show as effect. He plays with plenty of confidence and is active, and is good in transition as he got several baskets there. The turn-off was seeing him occasionally make a shot more difficult than it is, like taking a fade-away without a defender in his face.
Phil Pressey (5'9" PG, Ashburnham (MA) Cushing Academy) He quietly ran the show for his team, but when they needed a basket, he delivered on several occasions as he simply drove right through the defense. Although he is quick, he often reached the basket as much from finding the gaps as from quickness.
Phil Kasiecki is Managing Editor of Hoopville and lives in Boston. He can be contacted by clicking here.
