The second weekend in June annually brings some of the best high school basketball players from around the country to match-up with the talent of the Pacific Northwest. Traveling teams converge on Portland, Oregon for the Rose City Showcase, kicking off the AAU summer tournament season. The RCS is one of the premier events for high school seniors and juniors to display their on court prowess in a venue full of knowledgable basketball fans, college coaches and scouts. Top college prospects in the past have featured players like Brandon Roy, Spencer Hawes, Martell Webster, OJ Mayo, Kevin Love, Lance Stephenson, Jrue Holiday, just to name a few. This years group is no less star studded. Teams from Jackson, Misssissippi, Chicago, Illinois, Washington and Oregon make up the super 17 division, playing at Lewis & CLark college for the three day event.
After an opening day of teams and players trying to settle into their games, no player scored more than 19 points on day one. Day two of the 2009 Rose City Showcase saw some outstanding play by individuals and teams alike. In the first game of for the super 17's, Team Oregon and the Emerald City Pioneers of Seattle faced off. Each team coming of a day one loss, looking for their first win. The Pioneers were lead by the 32 points of Keith Stackhouse and 16 points from Brett Kingma. Setting the pace for Team Oregon was Cameron McCaffery, who put up 26 points on day two after an 18 point effort on Friday, 16 of those out of the gate in the first half. In the end, Team Oregon came out on top 87-77 to move into the consolation game on Sunday.
Game two saw Team Access from Federal Way, Washington and MBA Elite from Jackson, Mississippi. Another match-up of teams looking to secure a win and avoid the "suck it up game" on Sunday. The team from Jackson, after two days of travel to get to Portland and missing three nationally ranked started due to weather related travel problems, made a valiant effort with only seven players. Top ranked small forward, junior, 6-7 Laquinton Ross from William B Murrah High school in Jackson, MS and 6-6 shooting guard, Rodney Hood showed their talents. Ross taking on the unfamiliar role of point guard lead his team for the second day in a row in scoring with 21 points, after scoring 17 points against Seattle Rotary. His smooth play and confident court demeanor showed why he is considered by many the #1 small forward in the country for the class of 2011. The under manned MBA team kept the game close, playing only 6 players, but Team Access proved too much down the stretch. Access, comprised of players from the Tacoma/Federal Way area of Washington, have six players returning to the 4A defending state champion Federal Way Eagles. Cole Dickerson, looking forward to his senior season, lead Team Access with 19 points going 9-10 from the free throw line, matching his tournament leading 19 points of the previous day.
The third game of the day, put day one winners, Friends of Hoop from Seattle against the Derrick Rose All-Stars from Chicago, Illinois. For the second day in a row, the Chicago team played unselfish, getting points from everyone on the roster and moving the ball around the floor. In their day one win over Team Oregon, the All-Stars had four players in double digits and secured a 76-42 win. The balanced scoring on day two came up short 58-69. Point guard, Aaron Bright led the Friends team with 19 points and Ryan Nicholas added 16 to help their team move onto the championship game Sunday evening.
In the final game of day two, Seattle Rotary and Portland's I-5 Elite battled early and often. Stephen Madison got the Portland team team off to a quick start with four 3's and 16 points overall in the first half. I-5 Elite went into half-time up by 7 at 31-24. Coming out strong to start the second half, 6-9/270 lb big Josh Smith, from Kentwood high school got on track tallying 12 of his 18 points, including two big dunks to put Rotary ahead to stay. Garfield junior Tony Wroten contributed 8 first half points and four assists, but had to sit after a drive to the hoop where he went up strong, taking contact and landing hard on the floor banging his head. Wroten returned in the second half and distributed the ball well getting Smith two of his dunks with assists under the rim. Unfortunately, Tony turned his ankle on a hustle play on the baseline which led to another two handed jam by big Josh, but Wroten sat the remainder of the game. It was a two point game half way through the second half, when Dre Winston and Franklin small forward LC White each caught fire and came up with 8 apiece in the final 7:30 minutes. Highly touted Terrence Jones, 6-9 power forward from Jefferson high school, matched his day one performance with 12 points, but the well stocked Portland squad came up short. Seattle Rotary with Smith, Wroten and the final push from Winston and White held off their Portland rivals 67-54. Sending Portland to play in the 3rd/4th place game against the Chicago Derrick Rose All-Stars. After the game Wroten said he would be playing in the championship game on Sunday. With the win, the battle of Seattle teams was set and the 2009 Rose City Showcase championship will pit Seattle Rotary against the Friends of Hoop team from Seattle.
Championship Sunday at Lewis & Clark college will feature all eight teams, beginning at 4:15pm with the "suck it up" game between the Emerald City Pioneers and the team from Jackson, Mississippi MBA Elite. Both teams working to take home their only win of the weekend. Followed by the consolation game at 5:30pm between Team Oregon and Team Access. The 6:45pm game will be played for 3rd and 4th place in this year's tournament put Portland's I-5 Elite team against the Derrick Rose All-Stars. Finishing off a great weekend of high school basketball starting at 8 pm will be the 2009 Rose City Championship, Seattle's Friends of Hoop versus Seattle Rotary to see who will take home the trophy, but more importantly, the bragging rights until the next time these two loaded teams showcase their talents.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Six words...How do you respond...?
This morning I heard someone ask a somber and serious six word question of another. Even though the question was not directed at me, I was amazed at my initial response. The question brought an immediate reaction from my physical body and a sensation which can only be described as profound. I was touched... In the same moment my spiritual self was awoken in a manner which came from deep within and radiated to my extremities in concert with the physical reaction. It was all I could do to restrain myself and not shout out my response to the question, for everyone in the room to hear. Even as I tried to contain my outburst the answer rose to my lips and forced it's way out, although without the energy and volume that was reverberating in my skull. As I look back I am not sure why I felt the need for such restraint? None the less it was audible enough for those nearby to hear me. The sheer internal joy and exuberance at my reaction put a smile on my face, which in turn drew the attention of more than one other patron. The man nearest me did turn and give me a look before going back to his own interests, as my smile lingered.
The question was not spoken aloud, but in my headset as I was listening while working out. The question as I said was not directed at me, but hearing it in such an intimate way struck such a chord in me. The intense response was like the sound waves of a large Chinese gong being struck. The sensation lasting only a few seconds but undoubtedly striking me to the core of my being. Six words spoken solemnly, directly, without emotion, but with respect and regard, six simple words that can leave a person shaken or shaking. Six simple words without adjective, adverb or inflextion.
What was the question? Why did it leave me feeling the way I did? As I have been on this journey over the previous 5 months, I have striven to find my focus, mentally, spiritually and physically. As I near my 46th birthday, I realize that the journey has actually been on going my entire life. Each challenge an opportunity to prove myself to myself and to build my character by the decisions I make and the paths I choose to follow. Where am I truly headed now? is not the six word question that woke me up this morning.
"Do you believe in GOD, sir?" That was the question....
How do you respond? Not with a response about who or what God is to you, or how you think others expect you to respond, but the simple straightforward answer. No political correctness or socially acceptable soft shoe answer, dancing around the core of the issue. Just the plain truth, pure and simple...Do YOU believe in GOD? Is it an easy answer? Is it an answer filled with doubt, filled with qualifications and clarifications? Or, is it an answer rooted in your heart, filled with light and joy. How does this question make you feel? Uncomfortable, squeamish, unsure, filled with doubt, dread and fear of the future....or BOLD, CONFIDENT, JOYFUL filled with light, love and an open heart ready for the grace and mercy that is GOD.
My reaction was an awesome feeling, I felt the touch of GOD, a tingling sensation radiating from within me. Energizing me, filling me with inspiration. Spiraling out from my heart, a joyous, electrically charged sense of well being and lightness, flowing through my body to my fingertips and toes. I was more than half way through my workout, with a serious sweat on, my heart rate up and my muscles working hard. The feeling of happiness and love spread over my entire body, making me smile, making me say aloud, " YES! I BELIEVE IN GOD!" The thrill of having the question presented in such an unexpected way, out of the blue and without preamble. Causing a spontaneous response in me that did not allow for time to reflect or react. No one but me heard the question, no one but me and GOD. The joy of knowing that YES I DO BELIEVE. Just writing down the experience here causes a similar reaction, less intense by ten-fold, but still drawing me to the realization that I am truly on a walk with GOD and all that I do is for his glory. The sensation of being touched in such a way was both spiritual and physical. Unfortunately, trying to describe it in such a way as to pass on the spectacular level of complete well being that came over me is falling way short. Just as any relationship is profoundly personal between the individuals, finding yourself in a relationship with GOD is infinitely more personal.
I take extreme comfort from knowing that without a doubt I believe in GOD and all that entails. I also realize, that as a human I am full of flaws and will always fall short of the ideal. The beauty of knowing GOD is that even with all of my faults and failings, I am unconditionally loved, given gifts, talents and abilities, by grace and mercy, not by merit. I am approved without having to earn approval from my peers, parents, friends or anyone. I am a humble servant, here to help where I can, to make an impact for GOD and good at each opportunity without reservation. That I am charged with living well and building a testimony for GOD. That I am at peace with who I am becoming and the committment to not be the man I once was, striving to improve daily.
THANK YOU GOD!
That's what has been on my mind all day long, it's so nice to have a place to share - I look forward to the next time GOD puts in my mind words that need to be written. Until next time, Be Blessed and Be a Blessing...
The question was not spoken aloud, but in my headset as I was listening while working out. The question as I said was not directed at me, but hearing it in such an intimate way struck such a chord in me. The intense response was like the sound waves of a large Chinese gong being struck. The sensation lasting only a few seconds but undoubtedly striking me to the core of my being. Six words spoken solemnly, directly, without emotion, but with respect and regard, six simple words that can leave a person shaken or shaking. Six simple words without adjective, adverb or inflextion.
What was the question? Why did it leave me feeling the way I did? As I have been on this journey over the previous 5 months, I have striven to find my focus, mentally, spiritually and physically. As I near my 46th birthday, I realize that the journey has actually been on going my entire life. Each challenge an opportunity to prove myself to myself and to build my character by the decisions I make and the paths I choose to follow. Where am I truly headed now? is not the six word question that woke me up this morning.
"Do you believe in GOD, sir?" That was the question....
How do you respond? Not with a response about who or what God is to you, or how you think others expect you to respond, but the simple straightforward answer. No political correctness or socially acceptable soft shoe answer, dancing around the core of the issue. Just the plain truth, pure and simple...Do YOU believe in GOD? Is it an easy answer? Is it an answer filled with doubt, filled with qualifications and clarifications? Or, is it an answer rooted in your heart, filled with light and joy. How does this question make you feel? Uncomfortable, squeamish, unsure, filled with doubt, dread and fear of the future....or BOLD, CONFIDENT, JOYFUL filled with light, love and an open heart ready for the grace and mercy that is GOD.
My reaction was an awesome feeling, I felt the touch of GOD, a tingling sensation radiating from within me. Energizing me, filling me with inspiration. Spiraling out from my heart, a joyous, electrically charged sense of well being and lightness, flowing through my body to my fingertips and toes. I was more than half way through my workout, with a serious sweat on, my heart rate up and my muscles working hard. The feeling of happiness and love spread over my entire body, making me smile, making me say aloud, " YES! I BELIEVE IN GOD!" The thrill of having the question presented in such an unexpected way, out of the blue and without preamble. Causing a spontaneous response in me that did not allow for time to reflect or react. No one but me heard the question, no one but me and GOD. The joy of knowing that YES I DO BELIEVE. Just writing down the experience here causes a similar reaction, less intense by ten-fold, but still drawing me to the realization that I am truly on a walk with GOD and all that I do is for his glory. The sensation of being touched in such a way was both spiritual and physical. Unfortunately, trying to describe it in such a way as to pass on the spectacular level of complete well being that came over me is falling way short. Just as any relationship is profoundly personal between the individuals, finding yourself in a relationship with GOD is infinitely more personal.
I take extreme comfort from knowing that without a doubt I believe in GOD and all that entails. I also realize, that as a human I am full of flaws and will always fall short of the ideal. The beauty of knowing GOD is that even with all of my faults and failings, I am unconditionally loved, given gifts, talents and abilities, by grace and mercy, not by merit. I am approved without having to earn approval from my peers, parents, friends or anyone. I am a humble servant, here to help where I can, to make an impact for GOD and good at each opportunity without reservation. That I am charged with living well and building a testimony for GOD. That I am at peace with who I am becoming and the committment to not be the man I once was, striving to improve daily.
THANK YOU GOD!
That's what has been on my mind all day long, it's so nice to have a place to share - I look forward to the next time GOD puts in my mind words that need to be written. Until next time, Be Blessed and Be a Blessing...
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