Vipers Insider HEAD COACH: ERIC BARNES ASSISTANT COACH DAKEDRICK SHEARD MEDIA SPECIALIST/TRAINER: ROJAY MOORE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: ASHLEY BARNES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: KEISHA JONES May 2016 Issue 1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Past tournaments and Outstanding Athletes Who s Who Player Profiles S On Your Chest 4 What s Going On In VIPER NATION State Tournament Results 2 3 5 6-7 Hardwood Classics Your Little Rock Vipers 9th grade AAU basketball club has had success thus far in this early to mid 2016 AAU season. They have a combined record of 7-7 from 4 tournaments, one of which they won the championship title, that being the JSA May Day Tournament at P.A.R.K. As we approach the summer months, we hope that each athlete would develop a daily regimen of improving his athletic and basketball skills, staying physically fit as we engage in several big tournaments, including the PrimeTime Nationals in Texas. We are also beginning additional fund raiser activities to fund trips and new uniforms we are looking to have our players wear as we continue to build a brand for this Vipers organization. Be sure to... Upcoming Tournaments May 20 May 22 Prime Time in Bossier City, Louisiana May 27 May 29 King of the Delta in Forrest City, Arkansas Show Your Fangs, Rojay Moore Writer of Vipers Insider Newsletter JSA May Day Champs 2016 @ P.A.R.K. Upcoming Fundraiser New Uniform fundraiser NLR Car Wash (more details coming soon)
We ve Been B A L L I N Hot Springs Tourney 2-2 Russellville Tourney 2-2 Little Rock P.A.R.K. May Day 3-1 Your Little Rock Vipers have been hard at battle on the court. They ve had their ups and downs, but through it all they have learned to not only grow, Derrick Caffey, Sebastian Kelly, Robert Shelton, Ed Lewis but grow together. These challenges have made them initiate the process of growth and maturity as an athlete,but more importantly, as a person. The team is beginning to see the results turn into victories and championship titles. Pictured above are 4 Viper standouts from our first 3 tournaments this 2016 AAU season. Hot Springs Tournament Russellville Tournament JSA May Day P.A.R.K. Tournament Page 2
Page 3 Who s Who JAYDEN LOGAN -SMITH KELDRICK SHEARD SAGE ROUSE COLIN HUGHES MASON SHAW SEBASTIAN KELLY XAVIER MCGRAW ROBERT SHELTON ED LEWIS TAYLOR ROBERSON JERICHO RIDEOUT TALMADGE HASBERRY DERRICK CAFFEY TERRENCE HOLLIMON COACH BARNES COACH SHEARD
Achieving statistical mile stones in specific games or weekend tournaments will get players recognition from their coaches, teammates and exposed to the public for the gritty, grinding, extra efforts they give. Athletes must learn to celebrate one another s accomplishments and be inspired by their teammates to go out and work hard, play hard! Block Party Award (4 blocks in at least 2 games over weekend) Dimer Award (6 assists in at least 2 weekend tourney games) Get Buckets Award (Average 10 pts/gm in weekend tourney) Thief in the Night Award (record 4 steals in at least 1 weekend game) Lock Screen Award (set screens leading to baskets on 3 consecutive poss and receive a free downloadable customized lock screen) Bangin Low Award (Average 10 rebounds for tourney) Splash...Lights Out Award (record at least 3 three-pointers or have a Page 4
What s Been Going On In VIPER NATION Vipers Car Wash Members of the LR Vipers basketball team recently spent 5 hours on a Saturday in West Little Rock washing cars and accepting donations a part of one of many fund raiser activities. Practice Makes Habits! One thing for sure is that, if you practice a certain way for so long, you ll begin to exercise that practice without much thought. From a basketball perspective, this will enable the Vipers squad to be successful on the court and in every gym. Several of our athletes are spending private time in the gym outside of team practice. Each player must focus on developing his individual skills. Page 5
State Tournament at Little Rock McClellan High School Game 1 Devil Nation 68 LR Vipers 53 Ed Lewis 20 points 8/13 FG 14 rebs 1 stl Xavier McGraw 10 pts 3-pt 3/7 The Vipers did not play with the necessary energy needed to overcome the deficit against Devil Nation out of West Memphis. Despite getting 32 team rebounds, the Vipers didn t crash the boards enough to capitalize on 2nd chance points. Ed Lewis led with 14 rebounds but if the other bigs had have gotten as many boards, the team could have easily gotten 60 rebounds and an additional 10 points. The team also suffered from 18 turnovers, which led to points for the opposing team. That would be at least another 8 points. The other issue that caused the Vipers to lose by 15 points, they missed 17 free throws and 17 3-pointers. These are the stats that show our Vipers the importance of private work out sessions in the gym to perfect free throws, 3-pt shooting and ball handling skills. Xavier McGraw was the sharp shooter from beyond the 3-pt line shooting 42% making 3 of 7 attempts. Page 6
State Tournament at Little Rock McClellan High School The Vipers were back to their normal fighting, vicious, tenacious ways against the Wings Buchanan. Though the final score may not insinuate it was a close one, it was a fight til the last 2 minutes 20 seconds of the game when Gerald Doakes of the Wings made a monster jam. The Vipers pulled within 4 points and even tied the game at one point, but senseless turnovers at crucial times allowed the Wings to surge ahead one final time to blow it open. Game 2 Wings Buchanan 89 LR Vipers 71 Derrick Caffey 18 points 7/10 FG 8 rebs Mason Shaw 13 pts, 3-pt 3/8 Sebastian Kelly 10 pts, 1 stl Mason Shaw was the truth from beyond the arc this game. He hit 3 consecutive 3-pointers keeping the Vipers in the run for a chance to beat the Wings. Derrick Caffey recovered from a low performance the day before. He found the sweet spot around the 14 foot mark on the court, dropping 18 points and shooting 70%. He also snagged 8 rebounds. Mason scored 13 points and Sebastian Kelly, recent Thief in the Night award winner for the Vipers, chipped in with 10 points, 1 steal and made a shot from deep. The team and coaching staff feel pretty confident going into this weekend s tournament play in Bossier City, Louisiana. Playing the way they did against the Wings in an early morning game speaks volumes for this ball club. Be sure to check out next issue of this newsletter as we will have results from this upcoming tournament as well as excerpts from interviews with certain players, recognitions of outstanding play and several newer additions to our newsletter, Vipers Insider! Moore Page 7