Things heated up rather quickly this past weekend on Los Angeles’s famous Venice Beach courts. As the sun warmed up the place so did the nations top high school talent as they geared up to show off their stuff for the 2010 Boost Mobile Elite 24 game.

Showing up in style the players sported their Laker gold and purple schemed jerseys sponsored by Under Armour. Kids were also spotted rocking the new Kobe’s and Under Armour’s fresh new kicks issued upon arrival.

As the crowd filled the stands and standing room only became available you could tell this was going to be a game to remember.

From New York to Los Angeles basketball is a way of life for those who love the game, outdoor hoops is seen as a monumental and celebrated event for these coasts.  That is why this year’s game and event was so special and a major change of scenery for everyone, being that tradition leads us back to NYC’s legendary Rucker Park where the game is held each year, since the start in 2006.

In a battle to the death coming out on top with a 131 to 128 victory, the Raymond Lewis Squad, coached by high school coach Reggie Morris, Jr.of (St. Bernard HS- Playa Del Rey, CA) and NBA rookie John Wall of the (Wizards), defeated the Marques Johnson Squad, coached by Derrick Taylor (Taft HS- Woodland Hills, CA) and Brandon Jennings of the (Bucks) an LA native.

Led by phenom, standout point guard Myck Kabongo of Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV) who showed off his spectacular passing ability and poised play. Shelling out an array of assists for timely buckets down the stretch. “He was the best point guard on the floor hands down,” said his brother and it showed it through out the game. Unstoppable he was, going cross over for cross over with Austin Rivers as he lead his team to a huge come back victory on national television. Myck finished the game in a major way taking home an MVP; he scored 13 points and a game high 10 assist.

Also taking home Co-MVP’s were teammate Kyle Wiltjer Jesuit (Portland, OR) and opposing teams Austin Rivers Winter Park (Winter Park, FL) and James Mcadoo Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, VA.), who also finished the game with double-doubles.

Everyone played extremely hard throughout the entire game, monster dunks coming from athletic guys like Slam Dunk champ Deuce Bello, Amir Garrett, Jabari Brown (Oakland, CA.), Alex Murphy St. Mark's (Southborough, MA.) and Jahii Carson Mesa (Phoenix, AZ) one of the smallest guy on the court who tossed up his own oop and threw it down like he had something to prove and he did just that!

Not to mention great shooting and ball handling displayed by Austin Rivers who gave the crowd a scare when we went down and landed on his wrist, while going up hard for a lay-up and getting fouled. He soon returned to the game wincing and scowling but finished the game as best he could.  As father and NBA head coach Doc Rivers was in attendance to watch his son dominate. Who's often spotted in the crowd at many of Austin’s big games, a supportive father he’s proven to be.

Quincy Miller Westchester Country Day (High Point, N.C.) and Nick Johnson Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV) also made their presence felt with Johnson's scoring and aggressive mentality he ended the game with 16 pts. And Miller displayed his pretty stroke, shooting it confidently during the game with not so many touches to go around. Some like to compare him to a young Kevin Durant with his length, athleticism and shooting touch he finished the game with 11.

A few notable cameo’s were made by former NFL player and Hall of Famer Michael Irving, Rucker Park legends Charlie Scott and Pee Wee Kirkland.

The west coast will probably never be the same after such a turnout, I’m sure with the success of this event it will bring more & more attention to future endeavors with this sort of atmosphere, as it should. With perfect weather and the court availability dude to lack of outdoor hoop tradition it should be exciting to see what the future holds for Los Angeles famous Venice Beach.

written by Le'Sheala Dawson

Last week, Arlington Country Day withdrew from the FHSAA.  The school is well known for its national powerhouse basketball program.  Arlington Country Day is tied for the state record after winning 5 consecutive state titles.  The most recognized recruit to come out of the school lately has been 2009 McDonald's All-American Wally Judge.

“We have officially withdrawn from the FHSAA effective immediately,” ACD athletic director and boys basketball coach Rex Morgan said. “We enjoyed our relationship with the association, although at times it was strained. There’s no animosity. It’s a congenial break. The FHSAA is comprised of public and private schools and may not be the best fit for every school.”

VENICE BEACH, Calif.- Courtside of one of Los Angeles famous beaches and outdoor courts sat the fresh new faces of the NBA such as Brandon Jennings (Milwaukee Bucks), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), John Wall (Washington Wizards) and Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings) who made special appearances in Venice for the 2010 Elite 24 Dunk contest.

Although the weather wasn’t typical LA weather the atmosphere was jumping! Everyone who was anyone was in attendance.

Dunk contestants were juiced on the sidelines cheering on their friends and teammates, hyping them up to give their best dunks to the crowd. Players were dancing, cracking jokes and having a good old time.

But the dunk contest favorite was Quddus “Deuce” Bello of Westchester Country Day (High Point, N.C.) who stole the show with his highflying ability and fresh dance moves after an off-the-backboard, between-the-legs dunk that scored 10’s across the board from the judges and the fans.

Deuce quickly refueled and came back for his 2^nd round dunk, a personal favorite and crowd pleaser. Assisted by his brother from another and teammate Quincy Miller, sat in a chair underneath the rim with his shades on and earrings glistening, Quincy tossed up the perfect oop while Deuce leaped over him for the perfect dunk, an electrifying, explosive windmill to seal the deal. Signed sealed and delivered Deuce Bello took home the title!

Beating out finalist Stephen Maxwell of Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.) who had some pretty remarkable dunks as well but wasn’t enough to defeat the dynamic duo and their antics. Sending the entire judges booth including John Wall who consider Deuce and Q as brothers out of their seats and on to the court for some high fives and secret handshakes.

As the other contestants like Amir Garrett, Nick Johnson of Findlay Prep (Henderson, NV), Jahii Carson of Mesa (Phoenix, AZ) and LeBryan Nash of Lincoln (Dallas, TX), along with local standouts Norman Powell of Lincoln (San Diego, CA.) and Gabe York of Orange Lutheran (Orange, CA). Stood at half court giving tips and encouraging them to show out.

“Man that guy Deuce is my brother I knew he would win it all, just glad I got to be apart of it,” said Quincy.

Boost Mobile and Under Armour have done a great job with the set up and location, it should be a great turn out for the game this evening 7:30ET on ESPN2.

written by Le'Sheala Dawson

During the beginning of last AAU season, I thought I had seen the best player in the class of 2010 after leaving the Wallace Prather Memorial Tournament.  The kid possessed an NBA body at the guard position, pretty good athlete, very good jumpshot which extends to NBA range, and relentless.  This is none other than Brandon Knight, two-time Gatorade Player of the Year.  Why did I change my decision? Because I got to watch another player with the same characteristics and athleticism but he had one other dimension to his game which comes from the left side of his brain.  I witnessed this dimension of Harrison Barnes game on two occasions.  First, at the CP3 Elite Guard camp last year when Barnes single handedly took it to Chris Paul in a 3-on-3 competition.  Paul started out light on the campers but when he matched up with Barnes, he got punished in the post.  Harrison was smart enough to use his 6'7 210lbs body as an advantage over Paul in the post each time they matched up.  Then, I traveled out the the Nike Global Challenge last year and watched Barnes have a 45 point outburst against a very good Serbia team.  We all know Americans have struggled as of late in international play because of the zone defenses thrown at us due to our shooting ability.  It didn't phase Barnes as he knocked down three after three, forcing the Serbians to come out the zone.  When they played him man to man he treated them like they were his apprentices.

If I could compare Barnes to any current NBA player right now it would be Kobe Bryant probably.  I am not saying he will turn out to be just like Kobe but their style of play is similar.  From what I've heard, Barnes is a die hard Jordan fan so I hope he doesn't get upset if he reads this.  This explains why he chose Carolina and also why he kept telling people he was 6'6 instead of 6'7 throughout his senior year. 

Last night I had a conversation with Jay Watford (Recruiting Analyst) about all the talent that the Carolina schools have coming in.  Kyrie Irving's name popped up first but we both agreed that people are forgetting about Harrison Barnes.  The Watford began to share his best Harrison Barnes story with me.  "I knew Barnes was the truth when he went at it with Kevin Durant this year at the Nike Skills Academy.  Him and Durant kept trading baskets and as the game winded down Kevin started taking it very serious.  At game point, Durant hit a three off an on-ball screen as Harrison fell fighting through the screen."  Kevin said, "You not ready for me yet."  While Durant was walking off the court Barnes slammed his fist on the ground (not upset that he lost but upset that he stumbled fighting over the screen) and said, "I will see you next year."

Will we see Harrison Barnes at the top of the 2011 NBA Draft next year?  Don't be surprised because the Iowa native is on a mission.