Big Boo Is Big Scare
July 29th, 2007 Posted in AAU BasketballWith pool play concluded at the 2007 AAU Boys Division I National Basketball Championship, Boo Williams has positioned itself as one of the teams vying for the crown. With a verbal commitment to the University of North Carolina already tucked into his hip pocket, 6-8 power forward Ed Davis is prepared to finish his AAU career in grand style, and his coach expects nothing less.
(AAU Nationals photo and video highlights here)
“So far, we’re rolling along, taking it game by game. We have to come out and play every game,” said Reed’s coach, Boo Williams.
Asked how much the outcome of the games truly impact kids whose primary goal is showcasing their skills to college coaches, Williams said folks shouldn’t be so quick to discard them as scrimmage games.
“These games matter. The kids get caught up in what’s going on,” Williams said. “We’re excited to be starting to play in the bracket.”
Undoubtedly, the team will be ready for today’s likely 9 p.m. matchup with the D-1 Greyhounds, who handily defeated Boo Williams in last year’s championship game. The Greyhounds lost a 58-55 game Saturday night to fall to the No. 2 spot in Pool I. That sent the Greyhounds into today’s noon game against Florida’s 16U Team Breakdown squad. The winner faces Boo Williams tonight.
Williams said all 11 of his players provided part of the fuel in the team’s Pool C dominance. Boo’s 17U kids started the tournament with a 62-44 Friday afternoon victory against Cincinnati’s Royals-Black squad. Then Boo Williams blasted the Spartanburg Bucks 80-42 Friday evening. On Saturday, Boo Williams coasted to an 85-52 win against Georgia’s Team Albany Bearcats.
“We have great cohesiveness, and all 11 of our guys have something they can contribute,” Williams said of the team.
The Alabama Challenge is also on the radar as one of the team’s with a shot at the national championship title. The Challenge went 3-0 in pool play, where they never lost by fewer than 15 points. The North Carolina Gaters also appear strong. The Gaters finished their 3-0 march through pool play with a 68-57 victory on Saturday evening. The Westchester Hawks Select also made a statement in pool play, where they went 3-0 and finished with a 73-44 victory Saturday afternoon against Alabama’s Crush All-Stars.
As well, the G.E.S.U.S. Ball team out of Viriginia gives the state a second strong squad. GESUS won 79-49 Saturday evening and won each of its three pool play games by an average 19 points. The Georgia Stars also reminded folks that they have the talent to win the championship. After starting the tournament with two close calls, the Stars erupted for a 104-48 Saturday evening win against Vermont’s Lone Wolf team.
Maine’s MBR squad might be one of the tournament’s most dangerous sleepers. MBR coasted through Pool A with 86-62, 67-49 and 77-66 victories. The team is built around 6-8 banger Tom Knight, who uses his wide, muscular frame in the post. Knight, of Dirigo High, attracted the attention of several college coaches as he pounded his way to double-digit scoring Saturday evening.
