BN Roundup: Full Steam Ahead

After a perfect weekend in the Metroplex last week to begin the season, ten Ballers Nation and Lady Ballers teams were in action. Closer to home in Mabank, both Jr. Ballers, Middle School Girls, and Middle School Boys (Blue) teams participated in their first East Texas Hoops event of the season. The PrimeTime Events Basket Brawler Bash in Grapevine hosted the remaining teams, including two Middle School Boys' teams, two High School Boys’ teams, and two High School Girls’ teams. 

Head Coach Ricky Wilson was excited for the season opener, “It felt good to get the Jr.  Ballers seasons started this weekend,” Wilson said. “The boys displayed the potential to be competitive for the season that lies ahead. These little fellas play hard!” The 3/4th Grade and 5/6th Grade teams finished the weekend with a combined 2-2 record.

North of I-635, six teams were split between Grapevine and Carrollton for the weekend. Head Coach Elijah Coppock helped both high school boys’ teams complete a solid developmental weekend taking on stiff competition in the Basket Brawler Bash. “Our guys played hard. The ball didn’t go our way at times, but we could have still controlled our controllables and how we played defense,” Coppock said. “All in all, it was a productive weekend! [These are] the Fun teams that I cannot wait to see get better!”

 The Lady Ballers saw a weekend of growth and development as well under the direction of new Head Coach Aliyah Morgan and Lady Ballers Director Heavunli Reese. “I was excited to see multiple teams from our organization compete this weekend. The growth of this program is a testament to the process that we preach day in and day out,” Reese exclaimed. 

 Head Coach Aliyah Morgan also had words after the opening weekend as well. “As a team, I have seen extreme growth from our first practice to our first tournament. I love the mindset the girls are starting to mature through the game, and we will definitely only get better from here.”

 Next on the docket for Ballers Nation is the GASO Spring Championship in Duncanville, a three-day event that presents yet another test not only for the teams involved but also for the staff, a sentiment shared by Founder and Head Coach Brian Crawford. “This past weekend is exactly what the players and staff needed, especially heading into our first GASO event of the season. We must continue to push ourselves as an organization and keep striving to BE GREAT every single time we step onto the floor, in practices, and in games.”