AAU Final 32 heavy on Georgia teams
July 30th, 2007 Posted in AAU Basketball(tournament coverage, photo, and video highlights here)
Augusta Metro survived a last-second scare to defeat the Atlanta All-Stars and move one win away from a berth in the AAU 17U National Championship Sweet Sixteen Sunday at The Milkhouse in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. In all, four of seven Georgia teams survived a Sunday that featured 77 teams playing in 44 games to decide the final 32.
Augusta Metro trailed 59-58 when it was awarded possession after an over-and-back call on Atlanta. On the ensuing possession, an Augusta player drew a foul and sank both free throws with 3.9 seconds on the game clock. Despite pleas by the Augusta coach, an Atlanta player slipped through the defense ahead of the pack. A baseball pass gave him a shot at a layup, but he was unable to corral the ball before time expired. The Metro play at 1 p.m. Monday against the Ambassadors, who defeated the Jacksonville Lee Bulls 65-57.
Also reaching the next round were the Georgia Stars, who defeated the New York Cardinals 79-56, and Georgia Blazers, 80-70 winners against Cuttino Mobley. The Blazers play at 11:30 am. against the Martin Bros. Select 16U team. Meanwhile, the Stars face the Tampa Fastbreak at 10 a.m.
Inner Strength Black coasted into the final 32 with an 86-61 victory against the Arkansas White Wings.
