UTS Elite 16u Rides ‘Next Man Up’ To Undefeated Live Session
The UTS Elite 16u team has taken a “Next Man Up” approach to this spring. In typical UTS Elite fashion, it has been successful. At the start the 2019 grassroots season, UTS Elite 16u had a roster that could compete…
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Continue ReadingThe UTS Elite 16u team has taken a “Next Man Up” approach to this spring. In typical UTS Elite fashion, it has been successful. At the start the 2019 grassroots season, UTS Elite 16u had a roster that could compete with any team on any circuit. The injury bug struck and UTS Elite lost 6’5 Forward Landon Regnerus to a season ending injury, and then lost 6’4 wing KJ Rai to an injury as well. After going 4-2 in the Swish & Dish, 6’3 guard Andrel Anthony decided to fully commit to football. The UTS Elite 16u squad then went 5-1 in the Storm Classic. Shortly after the Storm Classic, 6’3 guard Kobe Bufkin left the roster. UTS Elite went into their third Tournament of the year, the Atlanta Tip Off Classic, with a different roster. “It’s time to make some changes leading into the 1st Live Period,” Coach Lancaster said after going 3-3 in the Tip Off Classic.
The UTS Elite 16u team knew it had to lean on a strong group of core guys such as JoCari Barnes, Kalil Stimage, and TJ Barnes. They would be called upon even more to step up and shoulder the load. New additions Trinidad Chambliss, Keyon Mennifield, A’Zion Price, Nate Brown, and Trayale Solomon would be called upon to contribute in a big way.
Going into the NY2LA Spring Extravaganza Live Period event “We knew we had to prepare differently,” said Coach Lancaster. UTS Elite was able to leave Session 1 of NY2LA (Live Period) undefeated. To build their 4-0 record, they beat Minnesota Select, Wisconsin Rap, Detroit Reach and Colorado Chaos. Everyone contributed to all 4 wins. Chambliss, Price and Mennifield all led the team in scoring at some point. Barnes, Price, and Brown lead the team in rebounding. Stimage, Chambliss, Barnes, and new addition Trayale Solomon all put heavy pressure on the opponents guards and led UTS Elite 16u to score a lot in the open floor.
Through all of the transitioning during the month of April, UTS Elite 16u ended the beginning of grassroots season with a 16-6 overall record. After an excellent 4-0 performance at the NY2LA Session 1, look for UTS Elite 16u to continue to have great success. Chambliss, Solomon, and Mennifield look to be the primary guards going forward, with new additions expected soon.
UTS Elite 16u’s next tournamemt will be the Nike Super 16 in Columbus, Ohio on May 24-26.