The Southern Elite Circuit Year 1 Champions were the T-Town Elite Ballaz, Cross Tenth Starz, Alabama Premiere, NYBA Select, AM3N, MCW, and Team SAC. All but one team competed in multiple sessions of the circuit, making year one consistent and successful. We were able to keep up with teams, players, and habits over the course of 3 sessions and the finals. Not only were the teams competitive, but they were also classy and handled themselves with respect. We hosted some great coaches and parents who helped make year 1 well worth it.

  • Team Sac 2034

    2nd Grade | Huntsville, AL | Record 5-2

    Key Players: All players can go

    Team Sac consists of a group of young men who are dedicated to fitness, with coaches who motivate them and a willingness to travel and compete. Leading the team is Quantez Robertson Jr., who has proven to be athletically superior and fiercely competitive. AJ Rhodes, a left-handed point guard, excels at shooting from long range and creating opportunities for his teammates. AJ Green and King Everett bring versatility to the team with their size and ability to handle the ball, rebound, and defend against larger players. The team is exciting to watch, with several impactful bench players contributing to their success.

  • MC Warriors 2032

    4th Grade | Huntsville, AL | Record 4-3

    Key Players: Bryce Martin, Chandler Scruggs, JR Fletcher

    MCW division didn't make for the finals but the team had some tough competition with HCBC, D5, and 256 Elite. They came to every session ready to work and with a huge fan base of parents cheering them on. Bryce always set the tone with his defensive efforts and energy. He's a pesky on-ball defender who can create easy points for himself or his teammates. Chandler is the big, versatile guard that can hurt you in a variety of ways. He plays with a good pace and can finish in the paint with consistency. JR is a natural athlete that can get going and change the flow of a game. When he's locked in and rolling he can take this team to another level. They have a team full of guards that can wear a team down. When they go to the bench, they don't drop off because the talent level is pretty even across the board; which is a great problem for a coach to have.

  • AM3N 2031

    5th Grade | Mountain Brook, AL | Record 7-2

    Key Players: Charlie Newton, Brady Hood, Matthew Jones

    AM3N did the Iron Man challenge by completing the entire circuit until no one else wanted smoke. Is that true, I'm not sure but we had to cancel their division for the finals and they were the regular season champions going 7-2. They play a free-flowing style of basketball. It's a very mature style of play for 5th graders but they have a great mixture of skill, athleticism, and IQ that allow them to play the style of basketball that passes up a good shot for a great shot. They were fun to watch and brought just as much energy on the defensive side of the ball.

  • NYBA Select 2030

    6h Grade | Nashville, TN | Record 3-3

    Key Players: Houston Quarles PG, Tyson Edwards PG, Ronnie Elliott Jr.

    NYBA Select fought their way to the top. They didn't get a win in the first session, which goes to show that it's not about how you start, but how you finish. In the championship game, they fought from an 8-point deficit to win by 13. Houston Quarles led the way, playing tough and scoring in a variety of ways. When the defense didn't give him anything, he took what he wanted. This kid has a high skill level and he shined his brightest in the biggest game. Tyson is simply a DAWG. He is as tough as they come and he made big play after big play to help his team come back and take the lead for good. He may be the smallest on the team, but he's fearless on both ends and doesn't mind taking big shots. Last but maybe the most important player on the team was Ronnie. The game was super intense and it didn't faze this kid at all. The kid has ice in his veins. Ronnie is the ultimate glue guy, he does his job to perfection and doesn't mind doing all the little things to make his team better. He played big on defense and played a Draymond Green role offensively, making sure the ball got where it needed to be when it needed to be there. This team showed resilience more than anything, and that's what got them the win.

  • Alabama Premiere 2029

    7th Grade | Daphne, AL | Record 3-1

    Key Players: Jacorey Yelding PG, Justin Lawrence CG, DJ Foster PF

    Alabama Premiere snuck into the Southern Elite Circuit and stole the championship in impressive fashion. They were the only team to win the championship without competing in the full circuit. They were led by a crafty, smooth point guard who could shoot from deep or use his handles to drive to the lane. We're talking about Jacorey Yelding, who had a great weekend and showed he can compete with the best in the state. Justin Lawrence simplifies the game and plays with a pace that can't be rushed, consistently making the right plays. DJ brings energy and effort to both ends of the court, standing out among his peers. This group only lost one pool play game and finished strong with a 20-point win in the championship game.

  • Cross Tenth Starz 2028

    8th | Birmingham, AL | Record 10-0

    Key Players: TJ Hill (6'3) W, Darren Thompson Jr. (5'9) PG Johnivon Williams (6'2) SG

    Cross Tenth Starz has been a loyal supporter of the brand for a long time. We have witnessed their journey from facing early challenges to building one of the top teams in Alabama. They are a determined group of players, coached by a dedicated coaching staff. Their style of play involves aggressive man-to-man defense, and on offense, they prefer fast breaks or creating one-on-one situations in the half-court to allow their players to showcase their skills. TJ was a versatile asset for them, capable of playing and guarding multiple positions. With his size, length, and skill, he was a triple threat, excelling in scoring, rebounding, and creating opportunities for his teammates. Dee has made significant progress in his game, becoming one of the most improved players in the state. He has added the ability to penetrate defenses and finish at the basket to his skill set, evolving from being primarily a three-point shooter to a more well-rounded combo guard. Johnivon Williams is a talented scorer with a smooth three-point shot. His offensive repertoire surprised us with its depth. Jayden McCants made crucial plays that contributed to the team's championship win, establishing himself as one of the best guards in the finals.

  • T-Town Elite Ballaz 2027

    9th Grade | Tuscaloosa, AL | Record 7-1

    Key Players: Jacob Williams (6’0) PG, Tavares Jones (6’3) W, Tyjavian Byrd (6’7) SF

    T-Town Elite Ballaz had an impressive run in the Southern Elite Circuit, except for a tough loss to the Aggies. The team is known for its athleticism, versatility, and tough, on-ball defense. They take on their coach's mentality while playing, he demands toughness at all times. Jacob Williams stood out all circuit with his ability to score off the dribble at will. It was hard for defenders to stay in front of him. Tavares Jones imposed his will on opponents, especially in the championship game where he dominated and put the team on his back to secure the win. Of all the 2027 kids in the circuit, Tyjavian Byrd will be one of the top prospects in the class. At 6’7 and with an abnormally long wingspan, this kid has a lot of natural guard skills that could bode well for him shortly. Their hard work paid off, bringing the trophy and the win back to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.