In terms of on-court success, it hasn’t been the most memorable month for New York City’s top AAU program, but that could change on Sunday in Las Vegas.
Team SCAN, New Heights, the Panthers and the New Rens are all in position to end the July live recruiting period with tournament titles. Both of Team SCAN’s clubs, the 15’s and 16’s, are into the quarterfinals at Fab 48 with matching undefeated records.
The 16’s, led by Cardinal Hayes guard Shavar Newkirk, national rising junior prospect Chris McCullough and a score of others, manhandled Wisconsin Scholars, 56-34, in the first round and edged Team Select (Texas), 36-35, in the second round. They face Team Loaded (Va.) in the quarters Sunday at 9 a.m.
As for the 15’s, they bludgeoned the San Diego All-Stars (Calif.), 66-20, to open the playoffs and beat Team Loaded-Gore (Va.), 58-51, in the second round, setting up a quarterfinal meeting with Team Loaded-Jones (VA.).
Also at Fab 48, the Panthers and New Rens are into the quarterfinals in the 17U division. After going 2-1 in pool play, the Panthers knocked off the Michigan Wolverines, 71-52, in the first round and upset Belmonte Shore (Calif.), 57-55, in double overtime in the Round of 16 as Travis Charles scored 15 points and Ethan Telfair added 10 points and eight assists. They will meet the Arkansas Hawks in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 4 p.m. eastern time.
Led by Long Island Lutheran forward Kentan Facey, South Shore point guard Terrence Samuel and Holy Cross guard Marquise Moore, the New Rens, meanwhile, edged the Mater Dei Monarchs (Calif.), 55-53, in the first round and eliminated SEBL (N.C.), 55-43, Saturday night. The Rens, who went 3-0 in pool play, meet the Team Breakdown-Team Loaded winner Sunday at 5:15 p.m.
Over at the Adidas Super 64, New Heights’ 17’s shook off a 1-2 record in pool play to reach the quarterfinals with wins over the Franklin All-Stars (Mich.), Utah Pump N Run and Club Elite Wildcats (Ind.). They meet the nationally ranked Eric Gordon All-Stars (Ind.) Sunday at 12:20 p.m.
The 16’s, who have received major contributors from Manhattan Center’s Khalil Hamer, Cardinal Hayes’ Chris Robinson and Don Bosco Prep’s Paul Jorgenson, went 3-0 in pool play, but fell to the Compton Magic (Calif.), 108-97, in the quarterfinals. The 15’s fell to Dream Vision (Calif.) in the quarterfinals as well.