Baylor Youth Foundation holds annual tourney at IUN
By John Burbridge| Posted: Saturday, December 19, 2009 12:00 am
John Burbridge | The Times From left, Blake Blanzy, Vlado Zrnic, Mandela Deang and David Barletta battle for a rebound during the 10U semifinal game between the Illinois Raptors and Playground Elite from Wisconsin during the NWI AAU Holiday Tournament.
GARY | The frenetic energy displayed during the 10-and-under semifinal between the Illinois Raptors and Playground Elite didn't allow players much chance to tie their shoes -- or at least while the game was in progress.
All layups were contested. Most possessions were pressed in the backcourt. And field goals came at a premium.
Nonetheless, Raptors coach Kevin Thornton felt his team was sleep walking.
We played this same team yesterday and beat them 24-4," said Thornton, whose team had to endure a more challenging rematch before winning 18-16 and advancing the finals.
Playground Elite) had to play earlier today for an extra game to get to the semis. This was our first game today, and our guys just came out sleepy."
The Illinois Raptors are from Plainfield. Playground Elite is from Wisconsin. They were two of 43 teams participating at the Baylor Youth Foundation Annual NWI AAU Holiday Tournament held Dec. 12-13 at Indiana University Northwest in Gary. Age groups ranged from 8U through 14U.
Even the NBA was represented.
"We have George Hill's Rising Stars from Indianapolis, and we have Mike Finley's Bumble Bees (from Melrose Park)," tournament director Toi Baylor said of the two programs sponsored by the San Antonio Spurs players. "George Hill was supposed to stop by here on Saturday, but couldn't make it."
Baylor started her foundation 13 years ago. In addition to hosting a bevy of basketball tournaments throughout the year -- including the Boys and Girls AAU Super Regional in May and Division-1 exposure tournaments in July -- the foundation has fielded six local traveling teams.
The BYF 10U boys team and 17U girls team both earned AAU national runners-up honors in 2009.
"When we first started, I used to coach some of our teams," Baylor said. "But those days are done. I trust other people to do that."
Among the local teams participating at the Holiday Tournament, the Spiece Warriors from Merrillville took second place in the 12U boys division.
12/14/2009 12:00:00 AM
|
|
