DOWN AT THE CHIP WERE THE DM PANTHERS TRYING TO REBOUND FROM A TOUGH SCHEDULE AT THE 17U NATIONALS IN WASHINGTON,DC.

Casey Thomas (DM Panthers)

Gthing Basketball was in the building supporting it's hometown team the DM Panthers at the Blue Chip Tournament in Manheim, Pa. They started of a little slow but was able to pick up some momentum later in the tournament.

Top Performers

Casey Thomas Center (DM Panthers)-This is Thomas last year on the AAU circuit, she didn't want to go down without a fight. Casey had a rough start in the first game but pick it up in the rest of the them, she was a beast in the paint, scoring and rebounding. Thomas showed a bunch of low post moves showing off her size and strength at times over powering her opponents.

Gracie Sacco Guard (DM Panthers)-The young guard went in did her thing this weekend at the Blue Chip Tournament, she showed her great ball handling skills going around and threw different defenders time after time, Sacco has a killer cross-over and a step back jump shot that will leave you watching with your mouth wide open, Gracie will be one of the cores to the Panthers  team for the next few years in then some.

Skylar Glass Guard (DM Panthers)- Another young guard who played along side of Sacco this weekend at the Blue Chip tournament, she came from out of know where but when it was all said in done people in the crowd wanted to know her name. Glass is the type of guard who loves to control the offense, she has a nice pace with her game but can pick it up at anytime on the floor. Skylar can handle the rock, she was also splitting defenders and going in and out of traffic with ease, the Panther even went coast to coast on a few different occasions letting people know she is the next up in coming DM Panther.

GTHING'S ONE ON ONE WITH KYLEE WATSON

KYLEE "KY" WATSON 

Gthing: What grade would you give yourself for this past AAU season?

Kylee: For this AAU season I would probably give myself a B. During, my season I had some games where I played really well and scored a lot of points. But one of my goals was to become a better passer and see the floor better and I feel I am making progress in that area. However, it would be tough to give myself an A because our team did not win our division in Jr. Nationals. And like any other player I still have areas that need improvement and I still have a lot to learn.    

Gthing: When GThing last watched you this AAU season, you looked great after some time off; why?

   

Kylee: I think one of the big reasons why I was able to bounce back after being sick was because I was able to start my middle school season on time. My coach at Belhaven- Brian Coyle – has really helped me develop my skills as a basketball player and I was lucky enough to start as a 6th grader on his varsity team that went 32-2 on the season. I also tried to get sessions in with Tori Cavalieri and Wayne Nelson. These 2 guys helped me excel my game in so many ways and always introduce me to new and challenging drills. 

                                                                    

Gthing: We heard about your illness; has it affected your game at all?

Kylee: Well, it slowed me down for a bit but now I’m fine. In some ways I think the time off helped me to appreciate the game more and realize how much I missed it. 

Gthing: Now that your one of the top 6th graders in the state of New Jersey; do you plan on following in your mothers footsteps as a basketball star?

Kylee: I appreciate the compliment because one of my goals is definitely to be one of the best players in the state. As far as my mom goes, she has always worked really hard to help me be the best player I could be. I remember when she coached my first AAU team when I was in 2nd grade! With her being a D1 player at U of Delaware, my goal has always been to reach that as well or even higher; I would love to play for a major college program like Notre Dame, UNC or UCONN.

GThing: We know you come from a family of athletes; so if you were a boy would you follow in your dad’s footsteps as a football player?

Kylee: This question made me laugh. Well, I guess if I was boy I would dream about making it to the NFL like my dad. I like to play physical in basketball so I guess football wouldn’t be that much different. Hahaha  My dad was always into the mental aspect of the game and I think that’s what helped him as an athlete so he always tries to talk with me about that stuff. 

Gthing's first live interview with Sadie Edwards

TEAM EXPLOSION

Gthingbasketball would like to congratulate Team Expolsion on there aau run this year. This was there first year on the aau circuit and they went out in made a name for themselves, they play on the 6th grade level and coach Blunt has them playing above in beyond there expectations.

CRAWFORD TWIN'S

DIAMOND MILLER