Mid-July 17u Team Rankings!
July shifted from week I to week II of the July LIVE period. Considered possibly the most competitive AAU weekend of the entire season the opening week of July followed several of Tennessee’s best teams into premiere events (UA Challenge, Peach Invitational Tournament, Peach Showcase, UA Challenge). The results did not match the potential sadly.
Who was better through early July? Bluff City Legends or Team Thad? How can you tell?
It comes down to quality of opponents. Both teams were special in May-June, but Bluff City turned their season around after the poor 2-2 Dallas weekend while Team Thad lost to a couple Atlanta programs. ATL Xpress put a hurting on the quality program and Team Thad didn’t advance as far as they should have during the UA Challenge.
Unlike Bluff City, Team Thad 17u is not done. They can show well in Las Vegas next week. Regardless Bluff City won 66% of their games on the EYBL circuit and Team Thad didn’t capture enough tournament titles to overtake that impressive figure.
Also, be aware that Bluff City’s blowout loss to keep them from the Peach Jam bracket play was to eventual 17u Peach Jam Champion Team Takeover. Losing is always hard, but if the team that bounces you wins the championship…it makes more sense.
BMaze advanced one round further than Team Thad 17u in the UA Challenge. They hang at #3, but what a fantastic season for the newest power program in Tennessee. Just think…they didn’t even exist three years ago!
One team hopped into the Top 15. The Tennessee Panthers belong now thanks to the remarkable July Jalen Cincore is putting together. Three D1 programs extended offers to the bouncy scoring guard since July began.
EOTO-TN keeps putting together gritty wins. You will remember EOTO-TN climbed into the top 8 with a strong May at Bob Gibbons. They are proving to be extremely cohesive with three Bearden players (Kordell Kah, Trent Stephny, Shamarcus Brown).
Direct all complaints to @PrepHoopsTN. Compliments though more rare are also welcomed at the same address. Finish strong!
RANK | TEAM NAME | TOUR | NOTES | PREVIOUS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Team Thad | UnderArmour | Took the weekend off. Murrell sparkled at UA Camp. | 1 | |
2 | BMaze | UnderArmour | Won their event last weekend. | 2 | |
3 | Hoop City Elite | adidas Gold | Finished Final 4 in Chicago event, losing to Indiana Elite. | 4 | |
4 | Bluff City Legends | EYBL | Two EYBL wins. All season. | 3 | |
5 | EAB | adidas Gold | Mowed through Adidas Atlanta MDC. | 6 | |
6 | Bluff City GOLD | 5 | |||
7 | WHBH Gold | Added two 6'7"+ players. It makes an enormous difference. | 9 | ||
8 | Tennessee Tigers | Title Team at MDC in Atlanta. | 7 | ||
9 | Tennessee Bobcats | - | Ilic is a special young prospect. | 8 | |
10 | Memphis Showtime | Defeated Sevier Select recently. | 12 | ||
11 | Sevier County Select | Wesley Maples gets help from Cam Burden and track star Mcelhaney. | 10 | ||
12 | Upward Stars-Premiere South | 11 | |||
13 | Chattanooga Elite Navy | Gatorade | Impressed Gatorade Assocation execs. | 13 | |
14 | Mid State Elite | With a core of Clarksville talent. | 14 | ||
15 | Tennessee Edge | - | Captured St. Louis Showdown crown. | -- |