UTC men's basketball coach Matt McCall as the main speaker at the Tennessee Extreme/Chattanooga Elite Senior Dinner
Honored Seniors by Chattanooga Elite and Tennessee Exxtreme
Kelcey Watson addresses the seniors
High school diplomas have been earned, prep stats are all in the books and the charge to succeed at the next level has been given.
Monday night at the 2016 Chattanooga Basketball Senior Banquet held at the Car Barn, 33 graduates were honored by coaches and administrators of AAU basketball teams Chattanooga Elite and Tennessee Extreme.
“We are proud of our seniors who have been part of our program for several years and are pleased that we have had a part in their success,” said Chattanooga Elite president Kelcey Watson.
“We are here to not only coach these boys and girls and help them be better players, but also help in any way we can as they move to the next level, including as they apply for college scholarships and help defray their cost of taking the SAT and ACT exams.”
Whether it’s a year or two at a junior college to gain more basketball maturity, attending solid four year public colleges or nationally-recognized private universities such as Sewanee or Harvard, the more than 30 recent high school graduates will be in college in the fall working towards a degree.
Guest speaker UTC men’s basketball coach Matt McCall told the seniors, “look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself ‘how can I get better.’
“You will be respected in the college locker room if you have a strong work ethic and if you do well in the classroom.
“Put your nose to the ground and get to work.”
McCall has the resume to prove he can back up his words as he was a U. of Florida assistant coach for two NCAA champions and this past year led the Mocs to a 29-6 record, a Southern Conference title and a trip to the NCAA tourney.
Coming Up: The 13-under boys Chattanooga Elite team heads to Greensboro, N.C. this weekend to compete in an AAU National Classic (level II) tournament.
This state championship team is 32-3 record is coached by former Riverside HS coach Leroy Alexander. A year ago 13-under squad placed third in the national classic division tournament and was Tennessee state runners-up.
Chattanooga Elite Basketball
Senior Honorees
Player College High School
· Malik McConnell Walters State Red Bank*
· Ryan Montgomery Lee University Central*
· Corey McDonald Austin Peay University McCallie**
· Bradley McCurty Bryan College Bradley Central*
· Peyton Parker Maine Maritime Institute Bradley Central*
· Adrian Thomas Sewanee: The University of the South McCallie*
· Tae Tae Ross ____________(undecided) Brainerd*
· Hunter Erickson Covenant College Heritage*
· Patrick Good Appalachian State University Davey Crockett*
· Todd Lansden Tennessee Wesleyan CSAS*
· Isaiah Shropshire _____________(undecided) Brainerd
· Emannuel Lane Cleveland State Central *
· Malik Beavers North Dakota State College of Science Brainerd**
· Tyler Byrd Florida Atlantic Gulf Coast Notre Dame*
* College Basketball
** College Football
Player College High School
· Maddie Wright Belmont Boyd Buchanan *
· Azhia Little MTSU CSAS (Not Playing)
· Akia Harris: TN Tech Hamilton Heights *
· Crystal Eally Hiwassee CSAS *
· Jaz Simpkins Harvard Baylor (Not Playing)
· Abby Hubert Cleveland State Baylor *
· Meghan Lewis Union Silverdale *
· Jamie Ward Chipola Hamilton Heights *
· Shawnia Anderson Univ of North Georgia Cleveland *
· Keturah Billings Carson Newman CSAS *
· Kat Alomar undecided Walker Valley
· Dammie Balogun Bethel College Rabun Gap High School *
· Victoria Monyei N. Carolina Central Fayetteville Christian*
· Kendall Caudle Lincoln Memorial East Hamilton *
· Maria Bardeeva Nova College Northwood Temple Acad.*
· Destiny Irvin Lane College Ridgeland *
· Destiny Black Bryan College East Hamilton *
· Brei Denton Martin Methodist Central *
· Tatiana Staton Johnson College Hixson *
* College Basketball
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net