Team Nikos 3X AAU National Champions

2015 AAU National Champions

TEAM NIKOS 4^th GRADE TEAM WINS AAU NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Team Nikos Takes Home AAU Championship 3rd Year in a Row, as South Orange County’s 4^th Graders Advance to the National Spotlight

Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, CA, June 28, 2015 – Team Nikos’ 10U basketball team, comprised of 9 South Orange County 4^th graders won the AAU Division III National Championships. Invitations to the championship tournament were based on the win-loss record for all qualifying West Coast AAU teams. This win marks the third straight AAU title for Team Nikos Basketball Academy.

Team Nikos advanced three of its flagship teams to the National Championships- 10U, 11U and 12U. Both the 11U and 12U teams took 2^nd place in their respective divisions. There were 49 teams competing overall for titles over the weekend. The 10U Team Nikos team beat Team Dynasty from Oregon, SGV from the San Gabriel Valley and the Dominators from Rancho Cucamonga to advance to the championship game.

Team Nikos held a solid lead throughout the first half of the championship game, but Team Dynasty took over the lead in the third quarter. The two teams battled back and forth in the fourth quarter with Nikos trailing by 2 points and 8 seconds left in the game. Nikos’ Bryce Ford made a coast to coast layup that tied the score and sent the game into overtime. With 18 seconds left on the clock in overtime and the Dynasty up again by one point, Nikos’ center Zach Davidson had a clutch steal against Team Dynasty and fed the ball to shooter, Bryce Ford, who executed another perfect layup for the 2 points to clinch the victory for Nikos. The final score was 51-50.

Team Nikos 4th grade team members are Gage Burnett (Ladera Ranch), Bryce Ford (Laguna Beach), Jackson Gray (Coto De Caza), Niko Lopez (Ladera Ranch), Trey Tolmaire (Trabuco Canyon), Blake Gray (Coto De Caza), Blake Sullivan (Laguna Beach) , Zach Davidson (Mission Viejo ), and Ethan Rhee (San Clemente). Coaches Jameel Mahmud and Prince Swafford

Team Nikos Basketball Academy is the premiere basketball program in South Orange County, training athletes ages 4 to 18.

Further information, please contact Steve Williams 949.315.9566

2014 AAU National Champions

TEAM NIKOS 4th GRADE TEAM WINS
AAU NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

6- 0 Record Advances South Orange County’s 4th Graders to the National Spotlight

Folsom High School, Folsom, Ca – June 30, 2014 – Team Nikos’ flagship basketball team, comprised of 10 South Orange County 4th graders won the AAU Division III National Championships. Invitations to the championship tournament were based on the win-loss record for all qualifying West Coast AAU teams.

Team Nikos was one of 12 West Coast teams competing for the National recognition. On Saturday, the boys won games against the Stockton Hoops, Team Trail, and the DEG Warriors, which advanced them to the Semi Finals. After winning a tough fought game against SGV on Sunday it propelled Team Nikos to the championship game.

The championship game against the Dominators out of the Inland Empire ended in a score of 53-38, clinching the championship spot for Team Nikos.

Team Nikos 4th grade team members are Kellen Mitchell (Ladera Ranch), Isaiah Tolmaire
(Trabuco Canyon), Jake Hesse (Ladera Ranch), Braden Christenson (Ladera Ranch), Tanner Deal (Ladera Ranch), Michael Chapman (Coto De Caza),Donovan Comestro (Las Flores) Easton Cattich (San Clemente), Tanner Mehrens (San Clemente), Braden Moore (Ladera Ranch) Coaches Steve Williams and Jameel Mahmud

Team Nikos Basketball Academy is the premiere basketball program in South Orange County, training athletes ages 4 to 18.

Further information, please contact Steve Williams 949.315.9566

2013 AAU National Champions

Team Nikos’ flagship basketball club team, comprised of 10 South Orange County eighth graders, won the AAU Division III National Championship at Mater Dei High June 29-30.

Team Nikos, who were one of 12 West Coast teams in the tournament, opened pol play with victories over the Nevada Nets, Baseline Basketball, and the Eastvale Warriors. The victories advanced the squad to the semifinals, where it defeated Fastbreak Basketball on a buzzer-beating shot by Blake Birmingham (San Clemente High).
Article Tab: The Team Nikos eighth-grade boys basketball team took first place at the AAU Division III National Championship at Mater Dei High June 29-30. Members of the team include: Josh Crutchfield, James Vanginkle, Blake Birmingham, CJ Ursetta, Christian Potts, Nick Draper, Tyler Horgan, Demetrius Jackson, Joey Spurgeon, Jake Bailey and coach Steve Williams.
The Team Nikos eighth-grade boys basketball team took first place at the AAU Division III National Championship at Mater Dei High June 29-30. Members of the team include: Josh Crutchfield, James Vanginkle, Blake Birmingham, CJ Ursetta, Christian Potts, Nick Draper, Tyler Horgan, Demetrius Jackson, Joey Spurgeon, Jake Bailey and coach Steve Williams.
COURTESY OF KIMBERLEE MITCHELL

The team sealed the tournament victory with a 48-35 triumph over the Nevada Nets in the final.

“Hard work, dedication and commitment pays off with Team Nikos,” said coach Steve Williams (Laguna Niguel). “These boys have been together for two years and they’ve put in the time. They have responded to every challenge and I love them!”

Members of Team Nikos include: Josh Crutchfield (Las Flores), James Vanginkle (San Clemente High), Birmingham, CJ Ursetta (Laguna Niguel), Christian Potts (Santa Margarita High), Nick Draper, Tyler Horgan (St. Margaret’s), Demetrius Jackson (Lake Forest), Joey Spurgeon (San Clemente High), Jake Bailey (San Clemente) and coach Williams.

Invitations to the championship tournament were based on the win-loss record for all qualifying West Coast AAU teams.

Team Nikos Basketball Academy began is 2007 and trains young athletes ages 6-16. TNBA stresses proper footwork, shooting mechanics, triple threat position and passing angles that have unfortunately taken a backseat to slam dunking, one-on-one play and high shooting percentages. The TNBA mission is to restore the beauty of basketball by teaching individual skills to players of all ages, gender, and abilities.