The busy recruiting month of July is now officially upon us, and this weekend got the month of to a great start as many of the state's top AAU/club programs faced off with one another in preparation for July at this year's Summer Sizzle basketball tournament. The tournament was organized by Glenn Mayberry, a local resident and top-rated referee from the state. Mayberry is a basketball product of the state and did an excellent job this weekend in hosting a first-class event for Arizona's club teams to prepare themselves for July competition.
With many of the state's top 17 & Under club programs in competition this weekend, the class of this weekend's top field of teams was the Arizona Magic Elite. Coached by successful head coach Kenny Mullins, the Magic Elite would win their third consecutive tournament championship in as many attempts with a strong performance in the event.
Led by the play of a well-balanced team attack, Westview's talented 6-foot-9 senior post Andre Adams, Sunnyslope's rapidly developing 6-foot-10 senior post Michael Humphrey and Sunnsylope's gifted 6-foot-4 junior combo-guard Sammy Thompkins were impressive all weekend long with their strong play - leading their team to the tournament title. The combination of Adams and Humphrey inside and the strong play of Thompkins on the perimeter were too much for the competition this weekend, as they cruised to their third consecutive tournament championship, and look well prepared to make some noise this July.
The Arizona Magic Elite also recently won this year's Southwest Showcase Summer Championships and also the division championship at this year's Great American Shootout in Dallas, Texas during the month of April and during the NCAA viewing period.
The Magic would also be led in the event by the play of Amphitheater HS senior point guard Yusef Shehata, Clarke HS (NV) 6-foot-7 senior forward Sherron Wilson, Grand Canyon HS 6-foot-5 senior forward Joey Bankston, Westview HS 6-foot-5 senior forward Isaiah Bellamy, Peoria HS 6-foot senior combo-guard Brody Sharkey.
Congratulations to this team and their coaching staff on another nice championship victory, and good luck to them during summer competition.
