SoCalHoops High School News

Jason Day: USA 14-U Team
Finishes 3-1 At AAU Qualifier-(Feb. 17, 1999)

Even though the "regular season" ended on Friday, that didn't mean that the only thing happening in SoCal was playoff seeding and pools.   Our friend and correspondent Jason Day attended the AAU Regional Qualifier Tournament which was held this weekend, and he and his photographer buddy, Larry Gray, who also coaches a couple of the older boys' UltraStudentAthletes' (USA) teams took some great photos.  Here's Jason's report and Larry's pics:

USA 14 & UNDER TEAM 3-1 at AAU QUALIFIER

by Jason Day
photos by Larry Gray

The impending Southern and City Section playoffs are not the only high caliber basketball 'hapnin's' around these parts. This past weekend, the Amateur Athletic Union sponsored a qualifying tournament. The event, co-sponsored by 4-D Basketball, and Hoopmasters, is the first step in the long road to the AAU Nationals. Games in all of the "younger" age groups, 14u down, were held Sat., Sun., and yesterday at Hawthorne High and Leuzinger High.

[left]..PG Bobby "LB" Brown drives to the hole...our "little man"
played big against the Nets, hitting for a game high 22 pts.

Ultra Student Athletes was well represented in the 14 and under division as Coach Frank Henry's team won their first three games before losing to 4-D Sunday night at Leuzinger.   USA started on Saturday with a tough game against a team from the San Diego area called the Nets. Playing without several key players, they were down for most of the game before finally wearing the opponent down and winning by about 10 or so.

[right] "Big man" Terrence Jones raises in the lane for two...the freshman was a big contributor for Crenshaw's JV team this season, and oh yes...he turned 14 in late October. He had 13 against the Nets.

On Sunday USA defeated the IEBP TarHeels in a blowout. 

[left] Darnell Johnson attracts alot of attention heading to the hoop...his outside shooting was spectacular during the tourney.



Then, on Sunday, USA faced ARC in a mid-afternoon game. This was very interesting for USA fans because one of our "family", David Moore, plays for ARC. He is the nephew of USA Director of Basketball Operations, Donovan Green. So we pretty much rooted for both teams to have a good game.

[right] "Twin Tower #2, Khalif Osufu is very dangerous in the paint....here he raises on two of the "undersized" opponents. He had 17 in this game.

ARC was just no match for USA in this one though, as USA won this one big too. 

[left]...USA newcomer, Jason Ferguson with the "Slam Magazine Pose", he's an exceptional PG and an exceptional student...a welcome addition to the program.

Then came the showdown with 4-D. Let's just say that there's a history here and leave it at that. These two teams are fairly evenly matched in terms of size, talent, and coaching. But this was 4-D's night. Their "big man", Richard Cobb, put on a straight out show, and showed everybody why he's one of the most talked about youngsters in the area. His rebounding and scoring in the paint was the difference in this game and 4-D came away with a 20+ pt. win. Congratulations to their whole team.

[right]...another "newcomer", Raynall "RayRay" Walls eyes the prize from the freethrow line. Serious skills, a competitors heart, and a gentlman's attitude...welcome aboard.

[left]..."TJ" with the move...6'4 200+, AND agile as a cat...you know Willie's lovin this kid...we sure are....



But as they say, "tomorrow is another day". USA also raised a lot of eyebrows with their talent and level of play. They will play next Sunday for 3rd place in this "qualifier". And, you heard it here first.....before, it was the "big 4"....SCA, TPI, 4-D, ARC...well now it's the "big five" ...just add the letters U-S-A.

[right]...LB with the layin...as exciting a point guard as you'll see around these parts...and he's still in the 8th grade.

[left]...and if you have any doubts about the level of competition at this level....look at the intensity on the faces of these kids...


later

jason day

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