SYBL looks to stay active entering the month of August:
GDW Analysis:
Southern Youth Basketball League (SYBL) finished up July with three consecutive weekends of competitive tournament action.
The SYBL Summer Finale was held July 26 & 27 from the Cullman Basketball Complex.
Seven divisions were involved as 31 teams kept the facility active Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday.
Gameday Weekly took interest in seeing how locals would perform.
NC Premier was entered in the 9th grade field.
The local fought tough competition, falling in a 78 to 60 shootout in its opener with J Cox Elite.
NC Premier rebounded in its 2nd assignment, running past the Red Devils 65 to 35.
That placed NC Premier into a semifinal battle vs. Bama Hoops Academy on Court 2.
An intense scene was displayed from the start until the conclusion.
NC Premier had a slight lapse on the offensive side and it would be the difference as Bama Hoops earned a 48 to 39 victory.
The momentum Bama Hoops had after this triumph did not stay with them. J Cox Elite squeezed out a 54 to 48 win in the championship clash.
From the high school division, West Point's sharpshooter Jay Lamar suited up for a group called the Bogey Boys.
Lamar enjoyed himself in showing his pure scoring, especially from long range.
But the Bogey Boys could not deliver from the team perspective, losing twice on Friday evening to the Jackets 87 to 71 and the Elites 100 to 51.
The Elites were very elite in point production, hitting the century mark for the 2nd time, romping by the Jackets 100 to 70.
GT All Stars won the 5th grade division over the Alabama Lions 53 to 38,
Cullman Storm battled in 7th grade play. The local group reached the semifinals before being edged by Nola Rush Basketball 49 to 46.
What's ahead for the SYBL?:
The local organization is planning a tournament for the first weekend of August from the Cullman Basketball Complex.
The event is open for teams in girls and boys play from the 3rd grade through the 11th grade.
As of Tuesday, teams have entered in 5th, 6th and 8th grade boys and high school girls.
SYBL is also accepting teams for fall league play.
Boys will have games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting August 20.
Girls competition will be held on Sundays with the opener set for August 18.
Those who are interested in putting a team together can contact Branch Whitlock at 256 590 6944.
Photo of NC Premier huddling before a 9th grade SYBL game July 27 at the Cullman Basketball Complex.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
