Nike Midwest Showdonw...Predictions??

[first2no]

The Schedule is out for this tournament so lets get some predictions going. Looks like there are six pools with about six teams in each pool. The top three teams advance to a single elimination tournament. There are a lot of quality teams in this event from both sides (Nike and Adidas). There are also a lot of quality teams that are not affiliated with any sneaker. I think these will be the top four in order:

1)Tenn Flight
2)Essence
3)All Ohio
4)Fairfax Stars


Could be in the mix:
West Coast
The Family
Roanoke Stars
Exodus
DFW

[BrooklynSaints]

Exodus has a way of making it to the finals they just never win it all.
I'm going for Exodus since they are from New York

[glenn]

I think your statement is so true. Why do you think that is? It does effect our thinking on rankings. At one point, we were going to have a bunch of the Exodus kids high and I finally said to Chris, "If they have that many highly ranked players, why aren't they winning everything?"

[asiancoach]

I think your statement is so true. Why do you think that is? It does effect our thinking on rankings. At one point, we were going to have a bunch of the Exodus kids high and I finally said to Chris, "If they have that many highly ranked players, why aren't they winning everything?"

Coaching:confused:

[first2no]

Just as I predicted Tenn Flight won the Nike Midwest showdown Championship. They beat West Coast Elite in four or five overtimes in the Semi's and then they took care of a very good Ciny Finest in the final. Can't wait to read Glenn and Chris final report!

[BballingInDC]

Does anybody know how the DC area team performed at the Nike Showdown?

Team Unique? FairfaxStars? Roanoke Stars? ETC...

[asiancoach]

Just as I predicted Tenn Flight won the Nike Midwest showdown Championship. They beat West Coast Elite in four or five overtimes in the Semi's and then they took care of a very good Ciny Finest in the final. Can't wait to read Glenn and Chris final report!

Yes Tenn Flight won, BUT it wouldn't be right for me not to state something that I thought was a slight injustice. The rules stated that the first 2 overtimes would be 3 minutes, followed by a sudden death. The first two overtimes ended in a tie, in the third OT 1 minute was put on the clock, West Coast Elite scored game should have been over. They continued to play the minute to another tie. Another minute was added and WCE scored first again, game over, right? Wrong they continued to play then TF hit a 3, TF got a steal and a 2, WCE had 3 chances to tied until Lauren Avent (2pts, 2-4 ft, 4 to) put them away for good draining two clutch free throws.

http://www.nikemidwestshowdown.com/format.html

[glenn]

asiancoach, no, no, no. Your post is sooooo misleading. The coaches agreed to the rules before they even started any of the one-minute overtimes.

[asiancoach]

ok thanks for adding that in from a fans perspective we couldn't have known about the rules changes, sorry to mislead anyone.

[tinkb]

It was a very well played game by both teams.

[scoutnwhoops]

It went four overtimes, a sudden death would not have served the game justice. Lets just hope they lock horns again at the Oregon Trail in July.

[proudpapa]

It was a very well played game by both teams.

Agreed... very very exciting, those kids played their hearts out. I actually made the mistake of leaving after the game was finally over, thinking I had basically seen the championship game, that was a mistake.

My thought was that by the time the Flight played Cincinnati's Finest they would be so worn out from the 4 overtimes that the Finest would walk all over them, boy was I wrong.

Congrats to Tennessee Flight - didn't care to much for the Coach cussing at a loud fan but as for the kids, they did a great job.

[asiancoach]

Tenn Flight vs. Exodus was an exciting game, the stands were packed, Prailis really impressed me. Both teams seemed to be able to score at will but it seemed as if Exodus controled the tempo and TF was keeping pace, with the game winding down Avant drove with a blurr past and through 3 defenders for a reverse layup and foul. Several back and forth eventsand trading of baskets had Flight up by 3 with about 35 seconds left. Time out game plan was, with fouls to give (10 for 1 and 1) do not let them shoot. It worked to perfection and Exodus couldn't even get off a shot because if they even thought about shooting they were fouled and taking the ball out.

Tenn Flight vs. WCE (mind you I didn't know any of these players prior to the event) Kelsey Bone hope you have your eye on her this kid was grabbing rebounds off the rim with 2 hands, Briana Gilbreath long wing hit a couple of 3's in an earlier game, a little quiet this game because of foul trouble (fouled out in OT #1), T. Rodgers pretty good too. Time winding down in regulation TF wanted to foul as they did in the EXD game but they couldn't catch lightning quick Chelsea Hopkins, and Bone caught it high and finished high both players getting and 1's. Avant was controlling the show at point off the bench and didn't attempt a shot to my recollection but showed the quick first and second step as she was on the attack to be stopped only by fouling. Sorry Flight didn't put there names in the program so I don't know the other girls names, but I asked about 1 kid the guy said she's from Miassippi I think her name is Lashondra Barrett, she was good and versitile hard to believe that anyone would leave her wide open under the basket in 4ot with seconds on the clock.

Team Unique vs FFStars Don't know what happend there I was waiting for the game and it didn't happen, saw TU what I heard but haven't confirmed was that TU had 2 players that recieved broken jaws (Clayton & Bailey) from a with Tenn Team Pride (which I missed because I was at the main gym the entire time) which I also hear that they almost won with 4 players. However I saw TU earlier in a game that I thought they would run away with up 18-4 but with only 6 players, ony 3 I recognized (C.Clayton,J.Bailey,T.Butler) the other 3 I have never seen and they didn't have names in the program either but when I returned they where down 8 and seemed as if they needed a 5 minute time out to get thier second wind.
Strangest thing I wanted to support the home teams for that matchup that didnt happen.

Team Unique vs ...... TU had to forfeit the rest of their games only having 4 players. They must have been washed in hot water to go grom 40 player a month ago to 6 (or is it could water that causes shrinkage)

FFStars vs. DFW What's DFW stand for sir? I think it's a big shoe store in Texas or is that DSW? Any way this was another good one. The stars were stacked, #1 for DFW impressed me all tourney I found out her name was Brooklyn Pope (not in the program) but she does it from inside off the dribble and from long range and at 6-2 or so siglehandedly even out FFStars huge size advantage. Also helping out was Sheggog picking up her 5th and a T for saying an unrepeatable to the ref. A four point swing and the ball left only a 3 quarter court for the tie shot that almost hit for FFS India Bradford. FFS had good play from Sheggog, Crawford,Mashore and 6'6" Wison is improving also.

Hoopgurlz as promised represented they were all over the place taking pictures talking to players and fans, if I didn't know better I would have thought this was thier tourney. Great job. This is definatley a return trip for me next year.

[hoopfan24]

Team Unique vs FFStars Don't know what happend there I was waiting for the game and it didn't happen, saw TU what I heard but haven't confirmed was that TU had 2 players that recieved broken jaws (Clayton & Bailey) from a with Tenn Team Pride (which I missed because I was at the main gym the entire time) which I also hear that they almost won with 4 players. However I saw TU earlier in a game that I thought they would run away with up 18-4 but with only 6 players, ony 3 I recognized (C.Clayton,J.Bailey,T.Butler) the other 3 I have never seen and they didn't have names in the program either but when I returned they where down 8 and seemed as if they needed a 5 minute time out to get thier second wind.
Strangest thing I wanted to support the home teams for that matchup that didnt happen.

Team Unique vs ...... TU had to forfeit the rest of their games only having 4 players. They must have been washed in hot water to go grom 40 player a month ago to 6 (or is it could water that causes shrinkage)

From what I heard Team Unique had a great game against Tennessee Pride and it was very physical. Clayton got a busted lip and Bailey got a busted tooth, another girl got a few knots on her forehead - all from Glory Johnson. Everyone I talked to about the game said Glory wasn't playing dirty, it was just a very physical game and Glory got a little frustrated because she wasn't able to do much on the offensive side.

They only forfeited the one game and it was against the Fairfax Stars.

[glenn]

Glory Johnson is an extremely detailed player, particularly for this level. She is very conscientious about shield the ball after rebounds and catches. At 6-3, her elbows are going to be at face height. She doesn't swing them, so it's safe to assume there isn't ever any malice intended.

[hoopfan24]

Glory Johnson is an extremely detailed player, particularly for this level. She is very conscientious about shield the ball after rebounds and catches. At 6-3, her elbows are going to be at face height. She doesn't swing them, so it's safe to assume there isn't ever any malice intended.

Yea I saw her play against the Michigan Crossover, this kid is legit. She was a bit worn out but she still played extremely well.

Extremely athletic, I would say your ranking of her is right on, if not even a bit low.

[scoutnwhoops]

DFW- Dallas Fort-Worth.

[tinkb]

From what I heard Team Unique had a great game against Tennessee Pride and it was very physical. Clayton got a busted lip and Bailey got a busted tooth, another girl got a few knots on her forehead - all from Glory Johnson. Everyone I talked to about the game said Glory wasn't playing dirty, it was just a very physical game and Glory got a little frustrated because she wasn't able to do much on the offensive side.

They only forfeited the one game and it was against the Fairfax Stars.

TU forfieted one game then borrowed a couple of players from another team to play the final game. Joslyn Bailey and Chasity Clayton had great showings but couldn't play the final 2 games because of said injuries but both are doing fine now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwATfFnQpSo

[ifyousayso]

I want to confirm that I am understanding a previous post and that two key players for Team Unique did not play two games. One because of a busted lip and the other because of a broken tooth?

[lboogie]

and Jocelyn Bailey was on the IR for about a week due to the nature of her dental injury(her top front teeth were shoved and twisted up in to the gum, and the root was destroyed). Chasity Clayton's teeth went into her bottom lip, and with a lip injuries they don't scab over and no bandage can be applied, so any minor contact would have caused it to start bleeding again.

[hoopfan24]

I want to confirm that I am understanding a previous post and that two key players for Team Unique did not play two games. One because of a busted lip and the other because of a broken tooth?

That is the story I heard - it was confirmed with the head coach James Nichols.

[ifyousayso]

I am sure that the parents were the ones that did not allow the players to play, which of course makes sense. But, I have witnessed players fall to the ground and have their front tooth broken in two and stay in the game and play the next day as well.

One tourney the point guard had her face ripped open, went to the emergency room had around 10 stitches put in and come back three hours later for the next game.

Every situation is different of course, but, a busted lip and broken tooth just didnt seem like injuries that would keep players from playing...

[hoopfan24]

TU forfieted one game then borrowed a couple of players from another team to play the final game. Joslyn Bailey and Chasity Clayton had great showings but couldn't play the final 2 games because of said injuries but both are doing fine now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwATfFnQpSo

Has TU played anywhere since Midwest? Did either Joslyn or Chasity play?

[lboogie]

From what I heard Team Unique had a great game against Tennessee Pride and it was very physical. Clayton got a busted lip and Bailey got a busted tooth, another girl got a few knots on her forehead - all from Glory Johnson. Everyone I talked to about the game said Glory wasn't playing dirty, it was just a very physical game and Glory got a little frustrated because she wasn't able to do much on the offensive side.

They only forfeited the one game and it was against the Fairfax Stars.

Not sure who you talked to at the game(must have been the Tennesse parent and her daughter that high-fived each other when they learned that JB had to go to the emergency room...but that is a whole other topic!) but a parent who is a professional photographer and NCAA basketball referee was on the baseline taking pictures when Clayton caught the elbow and said that it was not an accident and the refs should have stopped it because it wasn't the first elbow that was thrown in the game. BTW the refs were removed by the tournament officials after that game.

[ifyousayso]

In the games that I have seen Glory play, she stayed into foul touble because of her very physical play.

[lboogie]

I am sure that the parents were the ones that did not allow the players to play, which of course makes sense. But, I have witnessed players fall to the ground and have their front tooth broken in two and stay in the game and play the next day as well.

One tourney the point guard had her face ripped open, went to the emergency room had around 10 stitches put in and come back three hours later for the next game.

Every situation is different of course, but, a busted lip and broken tooth just didnt seem like injuries that would keep players from playing...

She(JB) wanted to play...the medical staff at told her one week. I saw the injury..it was scary...one of the worst I have ever seen. The ER dentist did a great job and were able to readjust her teeth and place a temporary braces on them. CC wanted to play as well but her lip was hanging about 2 inches from her face, she did go back into the game on Saturday after the injury. Overnight, it swelled more and was ozzing puss(we have a picture if you really want to see it). Of course if she had played even minor contact would have opened it up and she would have to come out of the game because of the blood rule. So the adults in charge made the decision not to play, not the players.

[lboogie]

Has TU played anywhere since Midwest? Did either Joslyn or Chasity play?

No...JB had a successful root canal with her dentist and she isn't going to lose her teeth.

[ifyousayso]

She(JB) wanted to play...the medical staff at told her one week. I saw the injury..it was scary...one of the worst I have ever seen. The ER dentist did a great job and were able to readjust her teeth and place a temporary braces on them. CC wanted to play as well but her lip was hanging about 2 inches from her face, she did go back into the game on Saturday after the injury. Overnight, it swelled more and was ozzing puss(we have a picture if you really want to see it). Of course if she had played even minor contact would have opened it up and she would have to come out of the game because of the blood rule. So the adults in charge made the decision not to play, not the players.


That's what I figured.

I know a player that bit a whole through her tongue and the blood was crazy. She iced it an put gauze into the hole ...it was bizarre but the player refused to come out.

[hoopdad]

To all who are concern about Jocelyn Bailey she is doing fine after major surgery to the bone in her upper plate which was broken from the physical play. she will be out for 4 week. She did want to play the next day with a wired mouth. Some heart ha. she was back practicing the next week.

[scoutnwhoops]

That is great that she is doing well and thank you for updating us.

I never expect a referee to catch everything but they do need to insure the game stays under control and player are not playing in an atmosphere where injuries are frequent. These are kids that often times get emotional when contact is missed and that is where the officials need to maintain the temp. of the game and get things in check. I didn't see the injuries occur as I only saw part of this game but in general when you have multiple injuries like this the game was probably a little more physical than necessary.

[ifyousayso]

To all who are concern about Jocelyn Bailey she is doing fine after major surgery to the bone in her upper plate which was broken from the physical play. she will be out for 4 week. She did want to play the next day with a wired mouth. Some heart ha. she was back practicing the next week.

That is CERTAINLY some heart. I wish her a speedy recovery

[asiancoach]

Did you guys see the reverse layup at rim level by Clayton near the end of the video?