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MEMPHIS
YOMCA 2011
The granddaddy of them all
as for summer travel teams not only in Memphis but in
the country. This organization was started in 1983 under
Bobby Dodd
who still runs AAU respectively and is a icon in the
basketball world hands down. This years squad will be
coached by
Jevonte Holmes
under the second year program director
Dujuan Taylor.
Taylor takes over for
William Anderson
as he became the head coach at
Lemoyne College
in 2009. Another strong ball club who normally gets the
top kids in the area, year in and year out. This years
squad will be led by juggernaut junior
Jarnell Stokes (6'8 -
225 lbs.,
rivals #8 -
Memphis Central
)
whom should play the entire year with this ball club and
none with the
Atlanta Celtics
per say from last years actions. Junior
Athlon Bell (6'3 -
185 lbs.,
rivals # -
Bartlett)
solid overall play at the guard position and is probably
the best shooter on the ball club that can also bang
down low to compliment strong flashes to the rim.
Shaq Goodwin (6'9 -
215 lbs.,
rivals #13 -
Southwest Dekalb - Decatur, GA.)
versatile inside game to go along Stokes man child
ability with very good hands. Sophomore
Sam Craft
(5'10 - 180 lbs.,
rivals #
Memphis Craigmont)
has emerges as an really good point guard that is very
strong with great ball handling skills. At the same time
will look to score when opportunities arise and can be
the one to put the ball in his hands near the end of the
game, doesn't turn the ball over in critical times.
Another strong sophomore is
Jonathan Williams
(6'9 - 180 lbs.,
rivals #
Memphis Southwind)
the younger brother of Johnny Williams (George
Mason) will contribute
major minutes behind the number
rivals #
3&4 respectively in their
position.
Memphis YOMCA has a strong
schedule every summer and this summer is no different
with BOO Williams in Hampton, Virginia,
Real Deal in the
Hill in
Little Rock, Ark., Nike Memorial Tournament, The Nike
League (EBYL) in sessions all over the country from
Dallas to Los Angeles, Calif.. The top 16 teams qualify
for the prestigious Nike Peach Jam in South Carolina, Super Showcase, and
AAU Nationals finishing in Orlando, Florida. On a
another note Memphis YOMCA joined the Real Deal in the
Rock Tournament April 15, 2011something they never
participate in to maybe keep Stokes from playing with
the Atlanta Celtics, mmmmmm. Just throwing it out there.
At the same time the Y turned the tables on the Celtics
from last years notes getting one of their top players
to play with them. What goes around comes around, does
that analogy go with this scenario!!! You know it's big
time when a program from another city comes in and gets
your best, unwritten rule, catch 22, pandora's box,
whatever you want to call it.
Sophomore sensation
Nick King
(6'7 - 220 lbs.
rivals # 20
Memphis East)
and junior Kodario
Fleming
(6'5 - 220 lbs.
rivals #
Memphis Ridgeway
)
round out an very solid overall ball club that has all
the pieces. The only thing I see that they may lack in
is outside shooting. When their big men can't get it
done and their will be a time when they cross that
bridge. Will the supporting cast step up and shot the
ball in great form.
College
Coaches:
Diamond in the Rough Team with legitimate off the
radar prospects,
(college coaches click here).
ESPN Article (click here)
Recap 5-20-2011
Memphis YOMCA
capturing AAU State 2011
Players:
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Davonte Holmes @
Melrose |
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Recap 8-25-2005
BY : ANDRE WHITEHEAD
OF TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS
It was the best
of times, it was the worst of times. I think there is a
book that starts off that way, but I digress.
The anticipation of the upcoming AAU or summer campaign
was alive and kicking all over the country in May of
2005, especially in Memphis.
The expectations seemed enormous, having finished second
in the 17 and under nationals last season as 16's the
Memphis YOMCA seemed primed for the ultimate run.
Something happened on the way to the gym.
It was apparent the Bluff City faithful were not the
only parties interested in getting a piece of the star
studded squad.
Adidas wanted to get a foothold in the ever burgeoning
Memphis hoop scene and this seemed to be the initial
move to start this particular ball
rolling.
So the YOMCA was no longer in the loop and the Memphis
Pump-N-Run were officially born.
Taking a peek at the roster one could not blame Adidas
for their bold move. Thaddeus Young, Willie Kemp, Wayne
Chism, Pierre Niles and Brandon Powell made up a nucleus
that would surely lead Team Memphis to the promised
land.
The summer campaign started with a most interesting
scenario as the "PNR" lost a game to the Mid-State
Ballerz, who ironically had Willie Kemp running the
show. This was an illusion that would soon change, as
Kemp
shortly thereafter joined the PNR.
With all their ducks in a row, the PNR set out to
establish themselves and put a benchmark on the national
attention that would follow.
The Real Deal on the Hill, the first major tournament of
the summer that coaches could attend. The pundits pined
for the impending matchup between Team Memphis and the
defending mythical goliath The Indy Spiece Heat. The
Heat were led by the consensus top player in the class
Greg Oden and numerous other high level prospects who
could actually match the
PNR with name recognition.
The reputation was established and the aura of the PNR
was created as the boys from Memphis soundly defeated
the Heat and made a huge cry across the land as the best
summer squad in existence.
Another funny thing happened on the way to their future
endeavors, nothing.
For some inexplicable reason the PNR did not suit up for
any of the Memorial Day festivities and was sparsely
seen until the Adidas Super 64 in Atlanta, following the
shoe camps.
The aforementioned players participated in various high
level exposure camps and the three major shoe camps and
kept their names on the tongues of coaches nationwide.
After achieving individual success at these various
camps, the boys got back together with the purpose of
putting the finishing touches on a grand and final run
through the top programs the country had to offer. They
added Ridgeway jumping jack Ernest Fields and ECS
powerhouse Tim Johnson to the fold and things looked
bright.
Once again a funny thing happened on the way to the gym.
The time off and the lack of continuity played havoc on
the chemistry of the PNR and they bowed out early in
Atlanta.
Heading to Las Vegas for the final big time event of the
summer, the PNR seemed poised and ready to achieve.
After dominating pool play the lack of chemistry once
again reared it's ugly head and some resentment among
the players seemed to end this summer campaign on a sour
note.
This team had the potential to be one of the best of all
time. It is truly unclear what precipitated these events
that grounded this team for much of the latter portion
of May and June, but it truly had it's effect on their
success.
None the less these kids are part of the best class of
seniors to dot the Tennessee landscape in many years.
The decision to completely disassociate themselves with
the
organization that they grew up playing for in retrospect
now seems like a mistake. The YOMCA will continue on
with quality younger teams and what to make of the
Adidas affiliation with the Bluff City at this juncture
is
unclear.
BY : ANDRE WHITEHEAD
OF TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS
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