**** VIRGINIA ELITE 2011 FALL LEAGUE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS ****

Loudoun Xtreme captures 1st Annual Virginia Elite Hoops Youth Development League Championship

Coaches Dexter Turner and John Barnes

November 20, 2011 - The championship game for the 1st annual Virginia Elite Hoops Youth Development League (YDL) Fall season was between the #1 Loudoun Xtreme and #4Loudoun Bombers. 

Xtreme was leading the YDL in many offensive categories but the Bombers who defeated two tough teams was on a mission that got them to the championship game. From the tip-off Xtreme coaches Dexter Turner and John Barnes got their team in high gear to take control of the game.  The inside play of the games MVP #14 Jonathan Roebuck with without question one of the keys to Xtreme quick start.

Beside getting his team off to a quick start Jonathan lead all scores with 16 points and many offensive and defensive rebounds.  Coach Caldwell team relied on what got them to the championship game, after winning 1 second game against Virginia Elite and them an pull away game against VYB Barons (Trinity University, Washington, D.C.) they knew not to give up on their quest. Lead by Nick McIntyre the Bomber got back into the game with consistent play down the stretch but with a large enough lead Xtreme held on to capture the championship 58-31.

November 20, 2011 - Virginia Elite Hoops selected several players that represented their team to the All-League Team.

Players 1st Row: (L-R) #12 Jackson Skule (Virginia Elite Lansdowne), #13 Rayvon Howard (Virginia Elite Snell), #41 Jared Levin (Loudoun Bombers), #34 Aaron Kim, #1 Anthony Cooper and #3 Alex Bailey (Loudoun Xtreme)

Not Pictured: #3 Luke Bartolomei (Seneca Ridge Bolts), #5 Liam Harrington (VYB Barons),  and #23 Lewis Matthew (Virginia Select)

Coaches 2nd Row: (L-R) Thomas Gadson, President Virginia Elite, Herb Lansdowns and Paul Snell (Virginia Elite), David Caldwell (Loudoun Bombers) and Dexter Turner (Loudoun Xtreme)

YDL Player of the Week #8

Chris Hanna, Seneca Ridge Bolts

The first game of week #8 it was the anticipated game of the season. Coach David Bartolomei Seneca Ridge Bolts against the undefeated Loudoun Xtreme coached by Dexter Turner. At the start of the game is seemed like Coach Turner had his team in cruise control as they took an early lead deep into the 4th quarter, but Coach Bartolomei made the adjustment of the season by switching his play and begin putting the ball inside to #52 Chris Hanna 17 points.  The game was truly an exciting game with Seneca Ridge holding off then undefeated Loudon Xtreme and capturing the victory 48 - 43.

The second game of the evening Loudoun Bombers defeated Ashburn Warriors 55-38. The Bombers holding down 4th place in the overall YDL league standings played an aggressive game led by last weeks POW #41 Jared Levin who scored a game high 16 points.

The third game featured two Virginia Elite teams Snell and Perry, both team were looking to improve on they play for the upcoming playoffs. Coach Paul Sell team was led by CJ Jones who led all scores with 11 points.

The final game of week #8 had two #2 overall leader VYB Barons playing to remain in second place heading into the 1st round of playoffs. Coach Latimer had his team in go mode from the beginning and never looked back. The Coaching staff for Virginia Select remained positive and continually coached their players to play hard. Going into the halftime break, Virginia Select closed the gap to under 10 points.  But once Coach Latimer made an adjustment the Barons open the gap and never looked back securing the victory 42-32.

YDL Player of the Week #7

Jared Levin, Loudoun Bombers

The first game of week #7 was Loudoun Xtreme defeated rival Loudoun Bombers 58-49.  Coach Dexter Turner team was still looking to remain undefeated did not take a back seat against the 3-2 Bombers. Anthony Cooper was the catalyst that kept Xtreme in the quest to remain undefeated by limiting turnovers and passing the ball with precision. Although the Bombers fell in defeat #41 Jared Levin led all scores with 18 point and was selected week #7 player of the week.

The second game of the evening Ashburn Warriors defeated South Division leader Seneca Ridge Bolts 37-30. The Bolts still atop the South Division and looking for a showdown game verse league leader Loudoun Xtreme played a really aggressive but fell short to the Warriors who are not playing for position for the post season. Ashburn was led by #11 Martin Lucas with 11 points.

The third game featured Virginia Elite - Snell who defeated an always competitive Virginia Select team, Virginia Elite has begun to hit their stride heading into the final week of the regular season. Virginia Elite was led by #14 Rayvon Howard scoring 15 points in the contest and Virginia Select was led by #9 Justin Hariston who kept Select in the hunt by scoring 14 points.

The final game of week #7 had two Virginia Elite teams Lansdowne and Perry playing for more than their record but bragging rights within Virginia Elite. Lansdowne defeated Perry 45-24, Lansdowne was led by #23 Jackson scoring 21 points in the contest. 

YDL Player of the Week #6

Frasier Sims, Virginia Elite - Snell

The first game of week #6 was Loudoun Bombers defeated Virginia Elite - Lansdowne by a score of 36-34.  Coach Herb Lansdowne young Virginia Elite team  did not take a back seat against the 2-2 Bombers. Virginia Elite was led by Matt Urbach with an outstanding game scoring 15 points and Coach David Caldwell Loudoun Bombers was led by #24 Sameer Saeed who scored a team high 15 points.

The second game of the evening was the VYB Barons verses the Ashburn Warriors. Coach Brian Latimer VYB Baron have really found their grove in the YDL after a lost to league leading Loudoun Xtreme in week 1, the Baron have been on a roll.  This week the Baron defeated the Ashburn Warrior 42-29.  The Barons was led by sharp shooting #5 Liam Harrington who scored 17 points and the Warriors was led by #52 Nathan Skemp scoring 10 points.

The third game featured Coach David Bartolomei undefeated Seneca Ridge Bolts against up and coming Virginia Elite - Snell. The Bolts looking to stay undefeated along with Loudoun Xtreme and remain in the league regular season championship hunt got stung by Virginia Elite Snell 42-36.  Week #6 Player of the Week Frasier Sims was scored 11 points in a key victory for Coach Paul Snell. The Bolts as led by #3 Luke Bartolomei scoring 13 points for Coach Bartolomei.  

The finial game of week #6 was league leading Loudoun Xtreme verses Virginia Select. Coach Dexter Turner and John Barnes were determined not to get caught off guard and relinquish their #1 position in the YDL. On the other side of the scores table Coach David Champion was thinking upset!  Although Xtreme defeated Select 55-30 the effort that the kids put on the floor was great. 

YDL Player of the Week #5

David Kroll, VYB Barons

We have been keeping our eye on the big fellow for VYB Barons throughout the YDL Fall season as he has been a consistent fixture in the middle for Coach Brian Latimer VYB Barons. #8 David Kroll rebounds and runs the floor extremely well, this week David grabbed a number of key rebounds that kept Coach Paul Snell Virginia Elite team on their heals, which led to a 48-40 victory.

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Loudoun Bombers added another check in the win Colum by defeating a tough Virginia Select team 54-20. The score was not a reflection of the game and how hard Coach Champions team played.

League leading Loudoun Xtreme remained undefeated by knocking off Virginia Elite Perry 54-20. Although Coach Scott Perry team was over matched they kept battling throughout the contest.  

Seneca Ridge got their second win in a row by defeating Virginia Elite Lansdowne 54-18, the game was close at the beginning but the more experienced Seneca Ridge team pulled away early and never looked back.

YDL Player of the Week #4

Aaron Kim, Loudoun Xtreme

As we hit the mid-point of the Virginia Elite Youth Development league Loudoun Xtreme was leading the standings still undefeated with a 3-0 record. Although Coach Turner team was short handed, Player of the Week #34 Aaron Kim was not about to let the team record their first lost of the YDL. Aaron lead all scoring with 18 point and 12 assist (double double). The Warriors looking to bounce back from week 3 got off to a slow start which caused them to play from behind the entire game. The Warriors was led by #52 Elrefai Waleed who scored 13 points.  Can Loudoun Xtreme run the table finished undefeated?

In the second game of the evening, Seneca Ridge Bolt defeated the Loudoun Bombers is a close game 43-32. Seneca Ridge was lead by point guard #3 Luke Bartolomei with 17 points. The game was a lot closer than the final score indicated. Seneca Ridge got on the scoreboard scoring the first six points but Coach David Caldwell Loudoun Bombers offense kicked in midway through the first half and then it became a game. As parents, friends and general observers witnessed Coach David Bartolomei and Coach Caldwell got both of their teams to focus on winning the game. Loudoun Bombers was led by #30 Jack Malloy.

In the third game we almost didn't recognize the Virginia Select players/team because they came out in their new black and yellow uniforms as they defeated Virginia Elite Perry in a very good competitive game. Coach Darrell Champions team was not only sporting their new uniforms but they were not going to allow the evening to be sadden with a lost. Virginia Select was led by #9 Justin Hariston with 16 points.

In the final game of the evening VYB Barons was victorious of Virginia Elite Lansdowne 48-25. Coach Herb Lansdowne Virginia Elite team was looking to climb back into the winner circle after last weeks defeat but Coach Brian Latimer was not about to let that happen. The game would be decided on strategy from both coaches. Although the VYB Barons size was a major factor the speed and willingness to win was key for Virginia Elite. Throughout the game #5 Liam Harrington led the Barons scoring 16 points to keep the Barons ahead of a spirited Virginia Elite team. 

YDL Player of the Week #3

Vincent Stallion II, Virginia Elite - Snell

Week three of the Virginia Elite Youth Development league began with a good game between Virginia Select and Seneca Ridge Bolts. Coach David Bartolomei Bolts found their groove at tip-off by jumping out to an early lead which they never relinquished. Leading the Bolts was #7 Ethan Hancock with 18 points and leading Virginia Select was #2 Matthew Lewis with 10 points. Throughout the game Coach Champion was consistently encouraging his Virginia Select team to play with aggression which they did but unfortunately the fell in defeat to the Bolts 67-37.

The second game was a classic game between Virginia Elite - Sell and the Ashburn Warriors. In this game #1 Vincent Stallion II recorded the leagues first triple double scoring 17 points, 11 Blocks and 12 rebounds.  But let's not take anything away from Coach David Sondereggers Ashburn Warriors as they battle from beginning to the end of the game. Leading the Warriors was #5 Andrew Matson who scored 15 points in the contest.  Both teams displayed the passion of competition while both benches was pushed to provide their players with encouragement and instruction to capture the victory. Coach Sell and Coach Sondereggers did an outstanding job of directing their players throughout the game. Not to be out done by the leading scorers for Virginia Elite - Snell #11 Fraser Sims got the crowd to make some noise as he scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half and the Warriors big man # 11 Lucas Martin provided the Warriors offensive and defensive rebounding to help his team stay in striking distance. In the end Virginia Elite - Snell captured their first win of the YDL with a 42-34 win over the Warriors.

The final game of week 3 had undefeated Loudoun Xtreme defeating Virginia Elite - Lansdowne 52-23. Loudoun Xtreme Coach Dexter Turner and Coach John Barnes had their team in go mode from the beginning of the game to remain undefeated. Week 1 Player of the Week Alex Bailey caught fire early and never looked back as he finished with 18 points and his running mates all help in the win. Point guard Anthony Cooper again held down the point position while Jack Bohanam and Aaron Kim never stopped pursuing the ball. Coming off an impressive win last week Virginia Elite - Lansdowne got behind early and never found their groove. Lead by #23 Mike Jackson Coach Lansdowne Virginia Elite team was fighting back the entire game but could not find the focus.

YDL Player of the Week #2

Jordan Hairston, Virginia Elite - Lansdowne

Week two of the Virginia Elite Youth Development League started out with an overtime game between Virginia Elite – Lansdowne and Virginia Select from Fredericksburg, VA. #11 Jordan Hariston start out scoring the first seven points of the game the propelled Coach Herb Lansdowne team out to an early 7-0 lead. Coach Darrell Champion Virginia Select team shook off the early run and didn’t put their heads down as they got back into the game.  

After the early run by Virginia Elite the game went back and forth throughout the contest, then in the final seconds of regulation with Virginia Elite leading 34-31, Virginia Select # 6 Brian Diaz scored his only points in the second half as he knocked down a long three-point shoot to send the game into overtime.  Leading Virginia Select was #2 Matthew Lewis who scored 12 points and played a strong game on both ends of the court.  

In overtime Virginia Elite – Lansdowne team really showed a lot of poise as Virginia Select consistently applied pressure to take over the lead. Both teams provided their fans with a great game as Virginia Elite – Lansdowne captured the victory 43-37.  

In the second game VYB Baron captured their first victory by defeating Virginia Elite – Perry by the score of 57 – 25. #5 Liam Harrington scored 18 points to lead the VYB Barons. In the middle of the third quarter the Barons went on a remarkable run that put them ahead of Coach Scott Perry’s team which made it very difficult to come back.  Coach Brian Latimer Barons will look to keep their winning streak going as they prepare for next week battle against South Division Loudoun Bombers.  

The third contest featured the Ashburn Warriors and the Seneca Ridge Bolts. In a game where both teams where all most mirror images of each other. Seneca Ridge was not risking taking an “L” in the initial game of the YDL. Led by Luke Bartolomei scoring 18 point the Bolts took a commanding lead and never looked back.  Coach Dean Sonderegger continuously encouraged his team to compete to the very end.

The final game of week #3, Loudoun Xtreme defeated Virginia Elite – Snell in very close game that went into overtime. Loudoun Xtreme was led by # 34 Aaron Kim who scored 18 point s in a contest that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Virginia Elite inside play of #9 Luka Garza and guard #20 Marcus Cherry kept Virginia Elite ahead for most of the game. But Coach Dexter Turner never say never attitude kept his team close until the final second when Xtreme took the game into overtime. Leading his team into overtime was #1 Anthony Cooper was ran Coach Turners offense to pull ahead late in overtime to capture the victory 44-39.

YDL Player of the Week #1

Alex "AI" Bailey, Loudoun Xtreme

The inaugural Virginia Elite Youth Development League got off to a great beginning. In the first contest Loudoun Xtreme defeated VYB Barons 39-29, Xtreme was led by #3 Alex Bailey with 12points.  The game was filled with exciting play from both teams that saw the Barons close the gap to 5 points mid-way in the second half. But Xtreme Coach Turner kept applying full court pressure to give his team some distance from a well coached Barons team. The Barons was lead by #22 Josh Fraser. Look for the Barons to bounce back next week!

In the second game Coach Sonderegger Ashburn Warrior defeated Virginia Select 43-20. The game was back and fourth early on in the contest but the final score was no indication of the effort from both teams. The Warriors was led by #52 Nathan Skemp scoring 11 points which proved to be a little more than the Virginia Select team could handle. Virginia Select battled the Warriors inside presences as much as they could with their tough aggressive play we look for Coach Champion team to bounce back next week and capture their first Youth Development League (YDL) win. Virginia Select was led by #5 Justin Hariston with 9 points.

The final game of the evening was Virginia Elite - Snell verses The Loudoun Bombers. The Bombers were led by #7 Hamal Abiral and #41 Jared Levin both scoring 8 points in the contest and Virginia Elite -Snell was led by #10 Bradley Walker who played a great inside game. 

Coach Caldwell Bombers played very aggressive to keep the lead late into the second have but inside play of Bradley Walker and guard play of #20 Marcus Cherry kept Virginia Elite in striking distance. Down the stretch the game became a free throw shooting contest and with under a minute left in the game and the bombers when up by 1 Virginia Elite missed on two opportunities to take the lead to capture the victory. Good game both coaches and teams!