I'm pleased to comment on the Howard Pulley Invitational and thank all the teams, Kansas and Minnesota that came to compete this weekend.  It was almost more fun and entertaining than the pressure to win our own event, the class of the programs that attended the tournament was outstanding and looking forward to next year.  Another thank you to the Maple Grove Gym staff and great facility to help host which makes for a successful event.

Starting with the 17 group that extended their winning record to 25-0, WOW, while being the Champions against a #11 ranked team, KC Run-GMC in America.  Thanks to L.J. Goolsby and staff for another great group and good luck the rest of the season.  Other shout outs to Jon Williams and Brett Carmichael, MN Powerhouse program that was very impressive this weekend that pushed the EYBL 17 team to the limit and All Iowa Attack team coached by Lefty that lost in overtime to KC Run GMC in semis to make for a great finish to Sunday Championship game.

The EYBL 16 group finally came together for an entire weekend of play and I was truly impressed watching their full potential come out to display in front of the hometown fans.  The Championship game was won by an outstanding KC Run/GMC team that showcased two Kansa recruits, Zach Harvey and Jeremiah Robinson who had lost to the Howard Pulley team Saturday by 25 plus points.  They showed alot of heart and soul in coming back the next day to dominate the team that humiliated them one day before.  Now that is real down dirty gut wrenching basketball but done with skills and brains   while playing with the class of winners.  Also, hats off to KC Game Speed and MN Powerhouse for making it to the semis.

EYBL 15 groups, Team Washington won the Championship against a fiery Fab team that played hard until the very end.  Team Maxey seemed not be able to get out of their own way and lost in the quarter finals to MN Suns 50-49 but it was a great game to watch for the fans.  Semi Final teams were MN Phenom and Get Shook who did an good job while being impressive this weekend.

Midwest Basketball Review named the MVP's for the tournament of each Division as follows:    

17U - Tre Jones and Brad Davison      

16U - Zach Harvey and Jeremiah Robinson    

15U -  Blaise Beauchamp, Nasir El-Amin and Malik Lamin. 

I want to thank all the teams that participated this weekend and for them to have continued success as they proceed forward with the summer season still ahead.