Middle School Season Updates!

The past two weeks has been pretty busy around the CSRA with a couple of great middle school games in Columbia County and also the 1st Annual Boys Middle School Elite Showcase (BMSES) that took place on November 7th and 8th. There was some good basketball in the building and highly competitive for a showcase event. For a complete write-up of the event check out the homepage.

Also, this Thanksgiving weekend (27th & 28th) will be the 4th Annual CSRA Middle School Thanksgiving Classic present by Lineage of Champions. Nexlevelsports will be in the building for game-by-game coverage and write-ups. For the complete schedule of games go to http://lineageofchampions.net/THANKSGIVING.aspx. All games will be played at Riverview Park in North Augusta, SC.

Columbia County Game Recaps (3 games)

Harlem Bulldogs vs Columbia Raiders (boys) 11/20/2009

With the second half of the Columbia County middle school season in full effect, we got the chance to watch two of the hottest teams in the area. Harlem is coming off a 3 game winning streak while Columbia remains one of the top teams in the area with their aggressive play. The game started off with a very fast pace with both teams scoring back-to-back baskets during the first 6 possessions of the game. Joacinto Grimes # 22 (Columbia middle) put on a show this game. Scoring 16 first half points leading his team to a 33 to 23 halftime lead.  The Raiders started to pull away early in the second half  with a nice spark off the bench from Conner Dowling #13 (Columbia middle) knocking down two 3's and finishing with 10 points.  Columbia's defense held high-profile guard Reggie Reid # 24 (Harlem Middle) to just 10 total points, forcing him to be more of a passer. His teammates Jalen Ramsey # 23 (Harlem middle) and Collin Beasley #15 (Harlem middle) picked up the scoring load combining for 31 points including 8 three pointers. The Bulldogs pulled within 10 points midway through the 4th quarter with some key steals from Reggie Reid #24 that lead to two 3 pointers from J. Ramsey #23 but the bulldogs just didn't have an answer for Grimes # 22 (Columbia middle) on the defensive end. He finished the game with 30 points, scoring in bunches (put backs, fast break lay-ins, floaters,etc...) and leading his team down the stretch of the game. Final score: Columbia 64 Harlem 53

Nexlevelsports Spotlight

Ever so often we have to give credit when credit is due. This is where we have a special section for that in the Nexlevelsports Spotlight. With the Columbia County middle school season just reaching its halfway mark, we have a couple of headlines that has sparked our interest...



Team: Evans Knights Coached by: Blake Crewe   Record: 8-0


Our first spotlight features one of the top middle school teams in all the CSRA in The Evans Knights. The Knights has established themselves as the team to beat in Columbia County. Not only is the team undefeated but they are winning by an average of 15+ points per game. When you watch this team, the first thing you recognize is how well the guys play together. The team is very well coached and disciplined and they play for the full 24 minutes of game action. The Knights are led by highly touted pointguard Damian Foreman #11 who is regarded as one of the top PG's in the CSRA. He also participated in the Nexlevelsports Boys Middle School Elite Showcase in where he was ranked as the #8 overall player at the showcase. Everyone knows about the play of Damian, but the team also have some other great players as well which gives them a more balanced attack. Trovonte' Brown #5 is defensive ball hawk that casuses havik for the oppossing team's gaurds. Then you have Justin Jackson #21 and Dylan Montgomery #15 who are two of the better fowards in Columbia county in controlling the boards and blocking shots. Add in a mix of other key players and a great coaching staff, and you have the makings  of a well fine-tuned team. Great job to the Evans Knights and all the players and coaches so far in your season.




Reggie Reid #24 Harlem Middle School  Grade: 7th  Position: SG

Our next spotlight features a player that has hit the middle school season in full steam. Reggie Reid, for the Harlem Bulldogs, has lead his team to a 3-2 start in the last five games while averaging 20.2 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assist and 3 steals per game. Reggie is putting up these numbers and leading his team, while playing out of position at the pointguard spot. Reggie is naturally a shooting guard but he has handled the transition  to the PG spot very well. Through the first half of the season, Reggie has shown his leadership ability by getting his teammates involved and playing aggressive defense, while playing the majority of the game. Reggie also participated in the Nexlevelsports Boys Middle School Elite Showcase (BMSES) in where he was labeled as the best perimeter defender at the showcase. Keep up the good work!

** Other noticables through the first half:   Joacinto Grimes #22  SF (Columbia Middle School.) We only got the chance to see him once and he dropped 30 points. The kid can flat out score and is one of the best I have seen so far in middle school at attacking the basket in transition. We will definately be on the look out for Mr. Grimes and the Raiders during the second half of the season.

Evans Knights vs Stallings Island Red Hawks 11/6/2009

We got the chance to check out the Evans and Stallings Island game and once again, Evans showed their dominance on the court tonight, pulling out a 31 to 14 halftime score and not looking back. Evans displayed an very aggressive press causing turnovers and fast break layups throughout the game.The story tonight was not so much the play of highly touted pointguard #11 Damian Forman (Evans) who finished the game with 16 points and 4 assist by the way, but the play of their role players, # 21 Justin Jackson (Evans) and #15 Dylan Montgomery (Evans). Both players played very strong games on the block combining with 13 points 12 rebounds and 3 blocks. Justin is a very active and at 6’1, he not only blocks shots but alters many as well. Dylan is very crafty on the block and is an aggressive offensive rebounder. Evans middle is a very well coached team and the they play well together, especially on the offensive end.


Stalling Island continued to play hard and tough throughout the game. # 33 Sam Powell (Stallings Island) was one of the bright spots for the Red Hawks. Sam plays like a “point- forward” controlling his team and displayed a nice shooting touch from the free throw line and with his pull-up jumper. He led the Red Hawks with 10 points. Final Score: Evans 44 Stallings Island 26.

Columbia County Game Recaps

                                                                        

Game 1: Greenbrier vs Lakeside (boys)

                                           

The Lakeside and Greenbrier game capped off the start of the Columbia county season and what a way to get the season started. Both teams went back and forth during the 1st half of action which led to the score being tied 20 to 20 at halftime. Lakeside took the lead early in fourth quarter with some key baskets by #12 Bryce Ford (Lakeside). #31 Chris Gardner (Greenbrier) brought his team back within one point with 2 minutes left with his aggressive play on the offensive end scoring five straight points off of layups and free throws. Greenbrier then switched to a pressure man to man defense which caused Lakeside to turn the ball over on three straight possessions late in the fourth quarter. With 13 seconds left in the game, #23 Khadime Celestine (Greenbrier) hit a baseline corner shot to take the lead 34 to 33. Lakeside was able to get a shot up but could not prevail. Final Score: Greenbrier 34 Lakeside 33. #12 Bryce Ford (Lakeside) led all scorers with 14 points.

"Khadime Celestine hit the game winning shot and also added in 8 points and 3 rebounds."

The girls action was close as well. The game went down to the wire with Greenbrier having the final possession but couldn’t capitalize on two opportunities. Final score: LakGaeside 19 Greenbrier 18. #24 Tori Heath (Lakeside) led all scorers with 14 points.

Game 2: Evans vs Harlem (boys)

The second night of action featured arguably one of the top teams in Columbia county, Evans middle school. Evans middle, which features one of the best backcourts in the area in #11 Damion Foremon and #5 Travonta Brown (Evans) and maybe one of biggest teams with at least two six footers was too much for the Harlem Bulldogs this evening. Evans built a comfortable lead early and never looked backed. #11 Damion Foremon (Evans) who may be one of the top guards in the Augusta (CSRA) area, led his team with 18 points and also displayed excellent court vision and showed his off –the- ball defensive skills by picking off several passes. #5 Travonta Brown added 9 points to go along with 3 assist and 2 steals. Harlem did not go down easily. The Bulldogs continued to fight hard by scrapping on the floor for loose balls and staying aggressive on the offensive end. One of the bright spots for Harlem middle is that their leading score and go-to guy #24 Reggie Reid (Harlem) is just a seventh grader. He led his team with 17 points and four rebounds. Final score: Evans 51 Harlem 26

"The smooth and well poised, Damion Foremon, is one
of the top 8th grade pointguards in Augusta, GA."

*** This week we will be in attendance at the Evans vs Stallings Island game.
Upcoming games include:
November 10th Grovetown vs Lakeside
November 13th Riverside vs Columbia