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Arizona 10U/11U Preseason All-Star Game

10U/11U all-star game “Rising Stars Division”

For all of you true basketball lovers we have something for you. Basketball at its purist form, I’m talkin about the Arizona Hoops Report Fall Hoops Fest 10U/11U all-star game “Rising Stars” division. This game will allow you to take a glimpse into the future, a look at tomorrow’s “All-Stars” while they are today’s “Rising Stars”. Both teams will be very well coached by two (2) of the better youth coaches that the state has to offer, the North team is coached by Chris Holloway coach of the “Tru Ballerz” one of the top travel programs in the state out of the east valley and the South team is coached by Lamar Mitchell who coach the “AZ Flames” a very good up and coming travel program out of the west valley. Let’s take a look at some of the games key matchups. Bryce Meadows/Camrin Taylor, Breven Burnett/Tyler Evans, Karissa Rodriiguez/Raheem Oliver, Austin Brain/Austin Evens, Tyler Kelley/Jack Kelley and the highly anticipated, must see Prime Time Baller (PTBr) matchups of the game which will feature a serious guard matchup between the silky smooth and skilled Akil Holloway who will be matched up against arguably the state’s top 11U PG Micah Price. The second guard Prime Time Baller matchup is between two very quick, very good defensive, “low to the ground’ ball handling point guards that are very similar in fact, they’re almost identical in size, looks and game, I’m talkin about Domonic Balderamma/Elgin Nelson. The forward Prime Time Baller matchup features Austin Brain out of Flagstaff matching up with Austin Evans and last but definitely not least will be Chad Porter matching up against arguably the top 11 year old in the entire state the very tall (5’9) long, athletic and multi-skilled Devin Kirby out of Secrist Elementary in Flagstaff. Other Key Players to watch: Taliya Besely of the North Squad, also Brenden Van Dyke of the
South squad.

North coach: Chris Holloway (Tru Ballerz)

1.   Elgin Nelson Sonoran Sky Elementary
2.   Akil Holloway Esperanza Elementary
3.   Taliya Besely Esperanza Elementary
4.   Karissa Rodriiguez Horizon Elemtary
5.   Austin Evens Milenio Elementary
6.   Jack Kelley Esperanza Elementary
7.   Tyler Evans Milenio Elementary
8.   Bryce Meadows Jordan Elementary
9.   Chad Porter Lagos Elementary

South coach: Lamar Mitchell (AZ Flames)

1.   Micah Price Desert Coyote Hills Elementary
2.   Domonic Balderrama Roadrunner Elementary
3.   Breven Burnett Mesquite Elementary (Tucson)
4.   Brenden Van Dyke Desert Shadows Middle School
5.   Raheem Oliver Corte Sierra Elementary
6.   Camrin Taylor Alhambra Traditional School
7.   Austin Brain Mountain School (Flagstaff)
8.   Devin Kirby Secrist Elementary (Flagstaff)

Game Summery

Both teams had a couple of possessions without scoring and both teams appeared to be caught up in the moment until the South teams Micah Price pulled up for a very long three and hit nothing but the bottom of the net to give the south a 3-0 lead. The North teams Elgin Nelson, the speedy, low to the ground, steady ball handler began to run the show by breaking the full court pressure that the South team was applying and getting the North team into their offensive sets. While up 3-0 the South team looked to be the team that was in control, Devin Kirby out of Secrist Elementary in Flagstaff started off playing the post but the minute he switched from playing the post to point guard the entire game changed. Kirby (who was the tallest player in the game 5’9) began dribbling in and out of traffic, getting to the basket and dishing out assist. What was a 3-0 lead quickly went to 14-0 which forced Chris Holloway coach of the North team to call time out. Out of the time out the North’s Tyler Evans threw an inbounds pass to teammate Akil Holloway but Domonic Balderamma stepped in front of the pass and streaked down the court for a quick layup which made it a 16-0 lead for the South. The very next trip down Elgin Nelson dribbled down the right side crossed over and began to penetrate the middle but when the defense collapsed Nelson then spotted a wide open Akil Holloway whom Nelson quickly dished the ball to for a wide open three which Holloway made to put the North team on the board 16-3. The North team began to get a major contribution in the rebounding department by Karisha Rodriiguez who while Devin Kirby was on the bench seemed to get just about every rebound which allowed the North team second and third chances to score which kept the game in reach for a while. After a made free throw by Karissa Rodriiguez and a layup by Chad Porter the North team was down 16-6 that’s when Kirby’s counterpart Austin Brain began to do his thing. Brain is similar to Kirby, began to show his total game by driving to the basket and found a wide open Camrin Taylor for a layup which gave the South team an 18-6 lead then Mr. Brain began to display his outside shooting abilities by hitting to mid range jump shots which stretched the North teams lead to 22-6 going into the half.

Will the North team make a run?

Out of the gate the North team seemed to have awakened, off of the inbounds pass the speedy point guard Elgin Nelson raced down the court and hit an open Bryce Meadows at the free throw line and Meadows turned and hit the jumper to make it a 22-8 lead. The next trip down for the South the “well rounded” guard Micah Price dribbled down the court and outlet the ball to an open Breven Burnett, Burnett a very good and young talent out of Mesquite Elementary in Tucson who also happens to be the younger brother of Cienaga high’s Brandon Burnett who happens to be among the state’s top high school players. Breven Burnett started toward the basket then pulled up for a short jumper which rimmed in and out BIG Camrin Taylor rebounded the miss, Taylor un able to go back passed the ball to an open Price out on the wing Price then went dribbled the ball back and forth between his legs getting the defender off balance then Price went to the basket to score an uncontested layup which gave the South team a 24-8 lead. The South team had the tempo and the game in their hands that was until a “young baller” who did not score in the first half decided that he needed to get in on the act before it was too late, that “young baller” was Jack Kelley. With the North team down 24-8 Kelley began scoring from all areas. The next trip down the court for the North team Elgin Nelson got the ball in Kelly’s hands and Kelly, fresh off of the bench fired up a long 3 and it went in making it a 24-11 game. The South teams Raheem Oliver missed a layup and off to the races Holloway went, spotting an open Jack Kelly in the corner, Holloway then passed the ball to a wide open Kelley, Kelly then hit a mid range shot to make it a 24-13 lead. On the next trip down the South teams Brenden Van Dyke drove to the basket and his layup rimmed in and out Bryce Meadows then rebound and outlet the ball to Elgin Nelson. Being a true point guard, Nelson sought out the “hot handed” Jack Kelley and got the ball in Kelley’s hands and once Kelley got the ball he turned, took two dribbles and fired up another mid range shot and it went in cutting the South teams lead to 24-15 which prompted the South’s coach Lamar Mitchell to call a time out. When play resumed the South team had another opportunity to stop the North teams run but with a Domonic Balderamma missed layup and an over the back foul call on Devin Kirby (which sent him to the bench with 3 fouls) the North capitalized again with an Akil Holloway mid range jumper which cut the South teams lead to 24-16. On the very next trip down for the South Camrin Taylor missed a short jumper which got a fast break started for the North team that resulted in to an Elgin Nelson layup which cut it to a shaky 24-18 South team lead. Kirby who subbed back in after the time out began his take over by scoring on a “clear out” play while running the point and also scoring on an inside layup which made it a 28-16 lead by the South breaking the North teams 10-0 run. Feeling the pressure and not quitting, Jack Kelley scored once again with another mid range shot making it a 28-20 game. Kirby, playing the point, dribbled the ball down the court and pulled up for a free throw line extended jump shot (which he made) giving the South team a 30-20 lead. The North team had an easy opportunity to score but a missed layup by Austin Evans resulted in a Micah Price layup and immediately following the layup the South teams Brenden Van Dyke stole the inbounds pass then passed the ball to a wide open Austin Brian who converted the steal into a made basket giving the South team a 32-20 lead. The next trip down the South teams defense was “stifling” which caused the North team to turn the ball over and when they did, Micah Price raced down the floor and found an open Austin Brian for an easy layup which made the score 34-20 and a time out called by Chris Holloway. Out of the time out the North team got the ball inside to Chad Porter, Porter then spotted an open Tayila Besely who took the open mid range jumper but missed, the South teams Devin Kirby rebounded the ball and appeared to be going “coast to coast” when he spotted an open Breven Burnett in the corner, Burnett received the pass, gave the defender a pump fake then dribbled the ball between his legs, went around the defender and scored an easy layup making it a 36-20 game. From that point on it was too much Kirby, Brian and Price. The South team ended up running away with the lead and the game by defeating the North team 51-37. “Its so much fun watching these little guys play” said Lamar Mitchell coach of the South all-stars. “These young guys can really play at a high level”. For the North all-stars Jack Kelley was very impressive. Jack led the North team in scoring with 11pts and 3 rebounds earning team MVP. Elgin Nelson the steady point guard also played well scoring 6 pts grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 5 assist. The ‘BIG GUY’ Chad Porter had a good showing as well scoring 4 pts and grabbing 4 rebounds. The multi-skilled “little fella” Akil Holloway also was a major contributor for the North team by scoring 5 pts grabbing 3 rebounds and dishing out 2 assist. Karissa Rodriiguez played well scoring 1 pt and leading the North team in rebounds with 9. Here are the rest of the player stats for the North all-stars: Bryce Meadows 2 pts 4 rebounds, Tyler Evans 2 pts 2 rebounds, Austin Evans 2 pts 1 rebound, Taliya Besely 2 pts. The South team which was led by several players but there were three that really stood out: Micah Price 11 pts 5 rebounds and 5 assist, Austin Brian 10 pts 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, Devin Kirby 10 pts 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Price, Brian and Kirby get the “3 headed monster” MVP. Brenden Van Dyke, a 10U guy played very well scoring 4 pts and grabbing 2 rebounds. The speedy and accurate finishing point guard Domonic Balderamma played very well scoring 5 points grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 5 assist. “BIG” Camrin Taylor another 10U guy had a good showing; Camrin scored 2pts and grabbed 3 rebounds. Raheem Oliver another 10U guy held his own; Raheem scored 2 pts and grabbed 2 rebounds.

Prime Time Baller Matchups Recap

Akil Holloway/ Micah Price
Holloway/Price matchup was a good one indeed. Holloway’s patented unorthodox 3pt shot was not falling but Holloway played fairly well in all other fazes of the game. Holloway is a very good 11U player that I’m sure we will continue to hear about over the next 6 years. Micah Price is specially! I was “overly Impressed” by this young fella back in September when I covered the “Team Bibby Tournament” after that tournament I often wondered if Micah’s performance that weekend was a fluke, well not only was his performance not a fluke, I think he’s even better than what I had originally thought.

Elgin Nelson/ Domonic Balderamma
Nelson played very well. With Nelson having to do so much for his team during the game I think that it would be safe to say that Nelson “matured” or “grew up” a little over the course of the game. Nelson showed all facets of being a point guard not to mention that he can also score. Balderamma handled his business also by keeping the game simple, not doing too much but doing what was needed for the team. Both of these young men are very good and solid point guards that should have good winter seasons.

Austin Brain/ Austin Kelley
Austin Kelley is a young “BIG FELLA” who’s in the middle of growing and figuring out his coordination and in the midst of all of that, he’s a pretty good little player. Kelley is solid but look for this one’s impact to really be felt in a couple of years. Austin Brain is among the top 10 maybe top 5, 11U players in the state. Brain can do-it all, he gets to the basket very well, he’s a very efficient outside shooter, he can rebound well, he’s a very good defender on or off the ball and he has a very good handle.

Chad Porter/Devin Kirby
Chad Porter is another young “BIG Fella” who like Austin Kelley is still working out typical, physical technicalities which most big young ballers experience but having said that, Chad was impressive in the toughness and rebounding department. Again, look for this young Prime Time Baller (PTBr) in training to be an impact in a few years. Devin Kirby is among the top two (2) 11U or 12U players in the state. This young man possesses skills that can’t be taught, you can only be born with them. We often times miss use fraises but believe me when I say this, Kirby can do it all and play every single position on the court and not only can he play every position on the court offensively, he can defend any position as well. Devin Kirby is also the younger brother of Flagstaff high’s 6’8 freshman stand out Maurice Kirby. Look for very good things from this one in the very near future!

Jeff Meadows -Senior Editor, Arizona Hoops Report

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POSTED: 12-10-2009

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