July 31, 2001

BIG TIME ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

The big Time tournament traditionally has had a 30-man All-Tournament team, but this year with 344 teams, they decided to expand the list to 63 players. I was asked to be one of the voters and I would have to agree with the majority of the selections. Shavlik Randolph, Bob Gibbons #1 player going into the tournament, and Kennedy Winston were not on the All-Tournament team, despite my vote. Randolph, who continues to be hobbled by injuries, scored only ten points in their loss to the Michigan Mustangs and with two other players from the Raleigh Heat making the squad, it was easy to see him missing out. Winston was a surprise omission. He received several votes, but was left off the final team.

Conversely, there were a few surprise inclusions. Drew Nietzel was one of three Michigan Mustangs to make the All-Tournament team and although he played well, especially hitting some big three-pointers against Raleigh Heat, the sophomore guard was not among the top 63 players at the event. I saw the Mustangs play seven of their eight games, due to a close relationship with Mustangs’ star Paul Davis and his father and felt that Nietzel, while a key contributor to the Mustangs was not deserving of making the list.

Speaking of Davis, he came up just one point short of breaking Julius Hodge’s mark of 218 points scored. Hodge reached that mark in ten games last year, while Davis scored 217 points in eight contests. Davis would have been the easy choice to be named MVP, if his team had won it all.

Carmelo Anthony of Baltimore Select would have been another strong choice to be MVP. He did break Hodge’s scoring record with 228 points in nine games. He was slowed down in the semi-final game as he was just nine of 22 from the field, but he finished with 25 points and 15 rebounds.

Tournament MVP Jason Fraser of the Long Island Panthers had 27 points and 22 rebounds in that contest. He had 12 points and eight rebounds in the championship game and did a terrific defensive job on Mario Bogans of Tim Thomas Playaz, holding him to just one points in the second half and only eleven overall.

Fraser was named the MVP, but the adidas people said that the MVP was to be based only on the final game, where I felt that Curtis Sumpter was the top player. He finished with 18 points, including 13 in the first half when they put the game away as they built a 13-ponit halftime lead.

Any of the top four Panther players could have been a possible pick for MVP. Charles Villaneuva had twenty in the championship game and Louisville recruit Taquan Dean scored 18 in the contest.

The following is a look at the 63-man tournament team.

Darius Washington	Atlanta Celtics
Sani Ibrahim	Atlanta Celtics
Jushua Smith	Atlanta Celtics
Gary Neal	Baltimore Select
Kenny Minor	Baltimore Select
Todd Galloway	Baltimore Select
Carmelo Anthony	Baltimore Select
Raymond Felton	Beachball Select
Trevor Ariza	Belmont Shores
Sean Mallon	Brewster Heights Packaging
Antonio Lawrence	EBO/EA Sports
Richard Midgely	EBO/EA Sports
Deron Williams	Fort Worth Lions
Dan Grunfield	Friends of Hoop Black
Dan Oppland	Gateway Bball Club 17's
Marcus Williams	H Squad
David Bell	Hunting Park Warriors
Mike Cook	Hunting Park Warriors
Mustafa Shakir	Hunting Park Warriors
Sean Dockery	Illinois Fire
Delco Rowley	Indy Warriors
Antoine Wright	Inland I
Lawrence Carrier	Inland I
Chris Rodgers	Inner City Players
Curtis Lincoln	Inner City Players
Sebastian Telfair	Juice All-Stars
Daryl Peagram	L.A. Rockfish
Donald Wilson	L.A. Rockfish
Jason Frasier	Long Island Panthers
Curtis Sumpter	Long Island Panthers
Darryle Hill	Long Island Panthers
Taquan Dean	Long Island Panthers
Olumuyiwa Famutimi	Michigan Hurricanes
Anthony Roberson	Michigan Hurricanes
Paul Davis	Michigan Mustangs
Drew Nietzel	Michigan Mustangs
Kevin Nelson	Michigan Mustangs
LeBron James	NE Ohio Shooting Stars
Wes Wilkinson	Nebraska Bison-Runza Red
Curtis Withers	New Orleans Jazz
Francisco Merritt	New York Ravens
Allan Ray	New York Ravens
Daron Merritt	New York Ravens
Leon Powe	Oakland Slam N Jam
Marquis Katley	Oakland Slam N Jam
Maurice Wade	Playground Running Rebels
Lenny Cooke	Prep Stars International
C.J. Watson	Pump N Run
Brad Buckman	Pump N Run
Michael Thompson	Raleigh Heat
Matt Walsh	Raleigh Heat
Rodrick Stewart	Seattle Friends of Hoop I
Lodrick Stewart	Seattle Friends of Hoop I
Travis Smith	So. California All-Stars
Devone Smith	Stormin's Classic
Sheldon Franklin	Student Athlete Broncos
Dez Willingham	Team Texas 16's
Daniel Horton	Texas Blue Chip
Mario Bogans	Tim Thomas Playaz
John Winchester	Tim Thomas Playaz
Elijah Ingram	Tim Thomas Playaz
Sean Phaler	Villa Parl Spartans
Brandon Roy	Yes Red

Outstanding player: Jason Fraser, Long Island Panthers
A Division outstanding player: Shea Washington, Portland Elite Legends
B Division outstanding players: Christian Lindvall and Will Polk, Arizona Stars
C Division outstanding player: Ty Thomas, The Firm

GLOBAL GAMES RECAP

Yugoslavia’s Ognjen Askrabic scored 31 points on twelve of 16 shooting and grabbed eleven rebounds to led his team to the gold medal of the Global Games. Askrabic displayed no side effects from the knee injury he suffered against Team USA/Texas earlier in the week and NBA scouts were raving about his game. It was the third double-double of the tournament for Askrabic and earlier in the week, Askrabic had the first triple-double in Global Games history. All-Global Games selection Simas Jasaitis led Lithuania (4-1) with 18 points.

Team USA/Texas avenged their opening night loss to Puerto Rico, by defeating the visitors 104-99 in the Bronze Medal contest. All-Global Games team members Keith Langford (Co-MVP, 15 points), Isaac Hines (18 points, 5 steals-Global Games record) and Chey Christie (18 points) combined for 51 of the team’s 104 points. Team USA/Texas also dominated on the boards, out-rebounding Puerto Rico 40-25. Langford led all players with six and the Georgia Tech duo of Isma’il Muhammad and Ed Nelson snared five apiece. Puerto Rico’s David Cortes and Roberto Nieves kept things close for Puerto Rico by scoring 24 and 18 points.

Germany defeated the Senegalese team 95-87 for fifth place. Eyinmisan Nikagbatse of Germany finised with 31 points on 13 of 20 shooting. Senegal’s Yamar Diene, who plays at Rice University, made seven of nine shots from the field and all eleven free throws to score 25 points. Germany concluded the Global Games with a 2-3 record. Senegal finished the tournament at 1-4.

All-Global Games Tournament Team

Woury Diallo- Senegal

Eyinmisan Nikagbatse- Germany

David Cortes- Puerto Rico

Roberto Nieves- Puerto Rico

Chey Christie- USA/Texas

Isaac Hines- USA/Texas

Simonas Serapinas- Lithuania

Simas Jasaitis-Lithuania

Vule Avdalovic- Yugoslavia

Co-MVPs: Keith Langford, USA/Texas; Ognjen Askrabic-Yugoslavia, Stevan Nadejl- Yugoslavia

July 30, 2001

SUNDAY RECAPS FROM BIG TIME TOURNAMENT

Long Island Panthers 76, New York Ravens 64

The Long Island Panthers advanced to the Final Four with a 76-64 win over instate rival New York Ravens. Curtis Sumpter led all scorers with 21 points. Louisville recruit Taquan Dean had 19 points and shut down Villanova verbal Allen Ray, holding him to just 12 points. Jason Frasier added eleven for the winners.

Four players, Daron Merrit, Curtis Stinston, Johnson and Louisville commitment Francisco Garcia scored twelve points for the Ravens.

Baltimore Select 76, Michigan Mustangs 69

The Baltimore Select became the second undefeated team to advance to the adidas Big Time Tournament as they defeated the Michigan Mustangs 76-69. Carmelo Anthony, a Syracuse commitment, led Baltimore Select with 28 points and seven rebounds. Kenny Minor and Todd Galloway scored 13 points each for the winners. Michigan State verbal Paul Davis had 31 points and eight caroms and finished the tournament with 217 points in eight games. The tournament record is 218 points scored in ten games. Kevin Nelson had five three-pointers for 15 points.

Tim Thomas Playaz 76, Atlanta Celtics 59

Tim Thomas Playaz bested the defending champion Atlanta Celtics as they outscored their opposition 41-20 in the second half. John Winchester led all scorers with 23 points. Florida commitment Mario Bogans chipped in 16 points and eleven rebounds and point guard Elijah Ingram scored 15. Sophomore guard Darius Washington and Chet Stachitas scored 15 each for the Celtics. Sani Ibrahim added ten points and 13 rebounds.

Hunting Park Warriors 63, New Orleans Jazz 60

Hunting Park Warriors hung on for a 63-60 win over the New Orleans Jazz. Michael Cook led the Warriors with 19 points and Michael Cuffee added 14 points and ten rebounds. Terrance Mack had ten for the winners.

Curtis Withers finished with a game-high 24 points for the Jazz, which had five double figure scorers. Derick Burditt added eleven.

Long Island Panthers 74, Baltimore Select 68

The Long Island Panthers outscored Baltimore Select by ten points in the second half to advance to the adidas Big Time Finals with a 74-68 win. Jason Frasier led all players with 27 points and 22 rebounds. Darrille Hill added 16, Charles Villaneuva had twelve and Louisville recruit Taquan Dean finished with ten.

Carmelo Anthony, a Syracuse commitment, led Baltimore Select with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Kenny Minor scored 14 points each for the losers.

Tim Thomas Playaz 83, Hunting Park Warriors 80

Tim Thomas Playaz defeated Hunting Park Warriors 83-80 in overtime. Jamar Nutter's steal and laup put the Playaz up 82-80. Marquise Webb made the first free throw, but missed the second to make the score 83-80 with six seconds left.

Point guard Elijah Ingram had a chance to put the game away in regulation, but he missed both free throw with the score at 73-71. Terrance Mack converted a driving layup to tie the score and Ingram's length of the court and drive just fell off the rim, forcing overtime.

Florida commitment Mario Bogans led all scorers with 25 points. Elijah Ingram had 21 and John Winchester chipped in 15 points.

Michael Cuffee led the Warriors with 18 points. Terrance Mack and Mustafa Shakir had 13 points for the losers.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP

Long Island Panthers 84, Tim Thomas Playaz 73

The Long Island Panthers pulled to an eleven-ponit halftime lead and expanded the lead to 19 points (54-35), beofre holding off Tim Thomas Playaz for a 84-73 win in the adidas Big Time Finals with a 74-68 win. Charles Villaneuva led a balanced attack with 20 points. Curtis Sumpter and Louisville recruit Taquan Dean finished with 18 points and Jason Frasier had twelve.

Point guard Elijah Ingram led Tim Thomas Playaz with 18 points and Jamar Nutter added 17. Florida commitment Mario Bogans had eleven points, but just one in the second half.

FAMOUS NAMES DOMINATE BIG TIME ROSTERS

Besides the top prospects at the adidas Big Time Tournament, there are plenty of household names to die-hard basketball fans. The Friends of Hoop Black (WI) team could be called the Milwaukee Bucks' farm team. They have Dan Grunfield, son of GM Ernie, Coby Karl, son of head coach George and Matt Babcock, son of scout Dave. Grunfeld scored 45 points in his opening game.

Omar Wilkes, son of former UCLA Bruin and Lakers forward Jamaal, Thurl Bailey Jr., son of former North Carolina State and Utah Jazz forward Thurl and Darius Harper of Team Texas, son of former Dallas Maverick Derek hope to one day follow in the footsteps of their NBA playing fathers

Jordan Kent of the Portland Elite Legends is the son of Oregon head coach Ernie and Arizona Stars' Tanner Ainge is the son of former NBA player and head coach Danny. Danny serves as the Star head man. Baker Dunleavy is the son of former TrailBlazer head coach Mike and is the younger brother of Duke swingman Mike Jr.

July 29, 2001

BIG TIME CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKETS

Game #	Time	Home	Away
Game 1	9:00	Long Island Panthers (5-2)	New York Ravens (7-0)
Game 2	10:20	Michigan Mustangs (5-2)	Baltimore Select (7-0)
Game 3	11:40	Atlanta Celtics (7-0)	Tim Thomas Playaz (7-0)
Game 4	1:00	Hunting Park Warriors (7-0)	New Orleans Jazz (4-3)
Game 5	2:20	Winner of Game 1	Winner of Game 2
Game 6	3:40	Winner of Game 3	Winner of Game 4
Game 7	6:20	Winner of Game 5	Winner of Game 6

MY ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

The 30-man adidas Big time Tournament Team will be announced tomorrow as the champions in the four divisions. There will be some players who raise their stock tomorrow, but here are my choices through Saturday night's games.

Darius Washington	Atlanta Celtics
Sani Ibrahim	Atlanta Celtics
Carmelo Anthony	Baltimore Select
Raymond Felton	Beachball Select
Sean Mallon	Brewster Heights Packaging
Antonio Lawrence	EBO/EA Sports
Dan Grunfield	Friends of Hoop Black
Dan Oppland	Gateway Bball Club 17's
Antoine Wright	Inland I
Lawrence Carrier	Inland I
Jason Frasier	Long Island Panthers
Curtis Sumpter	Long Island Panthers
Anthony Roberson	Michigan Hurricanes
Paul Davis	Michigan Mustangs
Lebron James	NE Ohio Shooting Stars
Allan Ray	New York Ravens
Daron Merritt	New York Ravens
Leon Powe	Oakland Slam N Jam
Maurice Wade	Playground Running Rebels
Lenny Cooke	Prep Stars International
Kennedy Winston	Prep Stars International
C.J. Watson	Pump N Run
Brad Buckman	Pump N Run
Michael Thompson	Raleigh Heat
Matt Walsh	Raleigh Heat
Shavlik Randolph	Raleigh Heat
Rodrick Stewart	Seattle Friends of Hoop I
Devone Smith	Stormin's Classic
Elijah Ingram	Tim Thomas Playaz
Brandon Roy	Yes Red

BRACKET CHAMPIONSHIP RECAPS

BRACKET 1

The Long Island Panthers advanced to the Final Eight with a 67-53 win over the L.A. Rockfish. Louisville recruit Taquan Dean led the Panthers with 16 points. Jason Frasier added 15 and Aubin Scott had 14 points for the winners. Daryl Pegram scored ten for the Rockfish. The Panthers face the New York Ravens at 9:00 a.m..

BRACKET 2

The New York Ravens knocked off Donyell Marshall Foundation I 89-73 as Villanova verbal Allen Ray had 21 points and Daron Merrit scored 17. Curtis Stinston finished with 16 and Louisville commitment Francisco Garcia added ten. David Ruffin led Donyell Marshall Foundation I with 18 points. Loren Stokes added 13 and Tyler Relph had twelve.

BRACKET 3

The Michigan Mustangs bounced back from losing their first two games to advance to the bracket championship with a 83-75 win over Raleigh Heat. . Michigan State verbal Paul Davis had 34 points and twelve rebounds for the Mustangs. Kevin Nelson had 21 points and Drew Nietzel added eleven. Duke commitment Michael Thompson had 28 and Florida verbal Matt Walsh scored 23 point. Shawan Robinson scored eleven and Shavlik Randolph added ten after fouling out. The Mustangs face Baltimore Select at 10:20 a.m.

BRACKET 4

Baltimore Select defeated the Indy Warriors 81-71 to win the Bracket 4 title. Carmelo Anthony, a Syracuse commitment, led all scorers with 31 points. Michigan State commitment Delco Rowley paced the Warriors with 24 points.

BRACKET 5

The defending champion Atlanta Celtics defeated Inland I 70-58. Sani Ibrhaim and Terrence Whiler scored 15 each for the Celtics. Antoine Wright and top junior Lawrence Carrier scored 20 points each for Inland I. The Celtics face Tim Thomas Plasaz at 11:40 a.m.

BRACKET 6

Tim Thomas Playaz bested Oakland Slam N Jam 68-60. Top point guard Elijah Ingram scored 26 points for the second straight game to lead all scorers. John Winchester and Florida commitment Mario Bogans chipped in 14 points each. Oakland Slam N Jam was led by star junior Leon Powe, who scored 20 points. Marques Kately added 16.

BRACKET 7

Hunting Park Warriors rolled to an 83-63 win over the Southern California All-Stars. Michael Cuffee led the Warriors with 24 points and Michael Cook added 16. Mustafa Shakir had ten for the winners. The Southern California All-Stars were led by Michael Strawberry and Derek Stockalper, who scored ten points each. Hunting Pak plays the New Orleans Jazz at 1:00 p.m.

BRACKET 8