Pittsburgh, PA: Over 250 teams kicked off their travel season at the annual WPA Bruins Spring Tip-Off Classic this past weekend in the Steel City. It featured many Under Armour, Nike EYBL, Adidas Gauntlet and some of the top independent clubs. Here's a brief look at the Top 5 High School Teams that were in attendance.
1. FBC United-Hunt (GA)
To see a team that is not only loaded with talent but has players that know the game of basketball, play hard every position, have great chemistry, respect their coach and carry themselves in a very professional and respectful way is a basketball fan dream come true. FBC United has multiple players that can effectively play various positions, and all of them are an offensive threat. The combo of Treasure Hunt (2020) and Olivia Cochran (2020) gives this team an overall inside/outside game that is almost impossible to stop. Their resiliency and “it’s not over until it’s over” attitude allowed them to win the championship game against a very talented Team Takeover EYBL squad.
2. Team Takeover EYBL (MD)
A team that is athletic and tough from top to bottom, Team Takeover showed no mercy every game they played this weekend. In the words of SUVtv commentator J. Hillsman, they have two of everything. The level of energy and play does not change when they start making substitutions. This team is very vocal and very tough. Multiple players will dive on the floor in .2 seconds to go after a loose ball. Lead by the versatile play of Angel Reese (2020), high jumping athleticism of Mir McLean (2020), and hard-nosed defense from Channa Hayes (2020), look for Team Takeover to make a huge splash on the EYBL circuit.
3. Cincy Angels Elite 17U (OH)
The Cincy Angels are full of slashers and crashers. They have multiple players that can get to the rim at will, and at least four of the five players on the court are going in for the rebound. In almost every game the Cincy Angels dominated the boards on each end, stopping their opponents from getting more than one shot opportunity. With strong inside play from Clarissa Craig (2021) and Alexia Mobley (2022) and aggressive perimeter play from KK Bransford (2022), the Cincy Angels are not to be taken lightly. The scariest thing about this Angels squad is that they are young. Of the 12 man roster, 7 of their players are 2021 or 2022.
4. WV Thunder 2021 - Johnson (WV)
Disciplined, focused, tough, and fearlessly made this WV Thunder team a heavyweight contender this weekend. Although they were smaller than most of their opponents, they played with a lot of heart and found a way to win. This young team did an amazing job of being patient and executing on the offensive, as well as being vocal and active on defense. With amazing backcourt leadership and play from Mickayla Perdue (2021) and Kendall Folley (2021), the Thunder rolled past a very talented FBC Youngunz team to win the 10th grade Diamond Bracket championship.
5. FBC Youngunz (GA)
The FBC Youngunz are fast-paced, athletic, and as aggressive defensively. They were one of the few teams that consistently got the ball up the court in transition with more passes than dribbles. Another characteristic of this young talented squad that stood out was their ability to be coached and feed off of each other with no attitudes or casual conversation. They just played ball! The triple threat of wing Briana “Snoop” Turnage (2021), shooting guard Ta’niya Latson (2022) and point guard Mia Moore (2021), made the Youngunz fun to watch and extremely hard to stop.
Watch List
MI Crossover EYBL 17U
WPA Bruins - Cash
All Ohio-Black EYBL
WV Thunder 2020 - Johnson
Team Takeover EYBL 15U
WPA Bruins - Cash
All Ohio-Black EYBL
WV Thunder 2020 - Johnson
Team Takeover EYBL 15U
