SUWANEE, GA – The Best of the South is providing a platform in Atlanta as a tournament stop on several travel teams and college coaches schedule. Here are five thoughts from the Best of the South.

1. Upward Stars are a solid organization

This South Carolina based organization resembles the mid-major colleges that have had success during the NCAA tournament. They are disciplined group that plays hard and more importantly unselfish.

No matter which age group the Palmetto State was well represented in the tournament. During the Best of the South, the Upward Stars rolled into Suwanee with four teams. The 17U’s advanced to the quarterfinals, both 16U teams played in the Final Four, while the 15U’s won the championship.

As you watch every team it is evident that they play for one another. They pull for each other regardless of whether they are having a good game or not.

So, seeing the success of this organization is no longer surprising but refreshing since you don’t see the structure they have with many travel teams.

2. Bahamians can ball

Let me say this, the Bahamas is not just a Caribbean get away. This may need to be a stop on the recruiting trail for some college programs.

Being 79 miles from Fort Lauderdale, Florida is nothing if the island was connected to the Sunshine state. However, our neighbors have not allowed that to stop them.

Bahamas Jaguars have some players who need to #BeSEEN. They have size, skills and heart. Charles Bain and Shaquillo Fritz are two players with potential.

Bain is a 6-foot-7 Class of 2016 wing, who is headed to the La Lumiere School in Indiana. Fritz is a 6’8 forward with an excellent touch around the basket, who is expected to attend Westlake Prep in Arizona.

The Bahamas also have 6’5 guard Antwan Bevans and 6’4 Kendrick Davis with solid skills.

Regardless of where the players go to school, who wouldn’t want to have the Bahamas as their recruiting responsibility.

3. LJC Elite overcomes adversity

Making road trips during the dog days of summer can be a struggle, especially getting through Atlanta traffic.

The Mississippi based program was caught behind a wreck and were having a hard time finding another way around traffic. This was the only thing that was able to stop them once they stepped on the floor to play, because it had to forfeit its opening game.

LJC Elite finished pool play 2-1 but the accident haunted them again. The 3-way tie cam down to points with the top two teams going to the 16U gold bracket. Unfortunately, LJC’s misfortune sent them to the silver bracket. LJC did not complain about their circumstance they just decided to run the table and walk away with Best of the South silver bracket title.

Leading the way Omar Bayless (11 points per game), Raekwon Pettis (11) and Ricky Holden (9.6).

4. Make these players part of the conversation

July is an opportunity for players to play in front of college coaches, which the Best of the South had plenty of throughout the weekend.

There were several players who were already on some coaches mind but these players just made a point to cement their names there.

Here are a few who took advantage of the stage: 17U: Aim High’s Malcom Stegall, Southern Kings’ Eric Hamilton and North Atlanta Stingrays’ Tyrone Sam. 16U: Alabama Elite’s Dalton Barkley and Jaquez Johnson, Upward Stars’ Charles Minland, 3T All-Stars’ Tope Arikawe, Martins Igbanu and Tre Hansbrough. 15U: Georgia Heat’s Avi Toomer and Khol Roberts, Georgia Stars’ Kevon Tucker, Brent Duncan and Keith Gilmore, Upward Stars Collin Hill and Tavaris Scott, Showtime Hoops’ Nick Strawter and the Atlanta Celtics D’Marcus Simonds.

5. JUCO action heats up when a Pitino walks into building

While there was an opportunity to take a break from the Best of the South action, it was nice to walk into the All-American JUCO Showcase.

The interesting part of the event was seeing the number of players still chasing the dream of being able to catch a coaches eye for a scholarship.

College coaches lined the baseline and sidelines to see who would be a standout out. But nothing was more exciting for everyone in the building when Louisville men’s coach Rick Pitino walked into the building. His presence seemed to turn the energy level up 10 octaves that remained in the building for the rest of the night, even though he was there for about 30 minutes.