Florida Vipers, Team Breakdown head to UAA I in Chicago
Florida travel basketball programs the Florida Vipers and Team Breakdown are in the Chicago area this weekend to compete at Under Armour Association I, the first of four stops before the UAA Finals. The Vipers and Breakdown (17-U) will each…
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Continue ReadingFlorida travel basketball programs the Florida Vipers and Team Breakdown are in the Chicago area this weekend to compete at Under Armour Association I, the first of four stops before the UAA Finals.
The Vipers and Breakdown (17-U) will each play four games this weekend at Supreme Courts in Aurora, Ill.
UAA II is April 26-28 in Kansas City, Mo.; UAA III is May 3-5 in Manalapan, N.J.; and UAA IV is July 11-12 in Atlanta, Ga. The UAA Finals are July 13-14 in Atlanta.
The Vipers are led by head coach Brandon McThay and assistant John Bianchi. The program is back on the travel circuit in 2019 after serving a one-year suspension in 2018.
McThay said the five starters would likely come from a group of eight players: point guards Skylar Wicks (Clearwater Academy) and Stephan Dibongue Swenson (Westminster Academy); shooting guards Alec Oglesby (The Rock) and Roger McFarlane (University School); forwards Jace Howard (University School) and Markhi Strickland (IMG Blue); and bigs Deangelo Elisee (North Florida Educational) and Charlie Morris (IMG Blue).
Dibongue Swenson, McFarlane and Howard all just coming off helping their high school teams win FHSAA state championships. Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy won the Class 4A state crown for the third consecutive season, while Davie University School repeated in 5A. North Florida Educational, out of Jacksonville, also made it to Lakeland.
Team Breakdown, coached by Kenny Gillion, is coming off a 2-0 weekend at the E1T1 Invitational last weekend at the Big House in Tavares.
Breakdown took down Louisiana’s Nawlins Elite, 67-63, before routing the Brevard Bulls, 77-45.
Breakdown guard A.J. Staton-McCray, who helped Blanche Ely to an 8A FHSAA state championship as a junior, was impressive vs. Nawlins. Staton-McCray scored 21 points. He missed the night game with a back injury.
Breakdown was also without highly-touted Selton Miguel (West Oaks) because of an ankle injury and Jadrian Tracey (wrist). The trio’s availability for this weekend is unknown.
2021 big guard prospect Wesley Cardet (Oakland Park Northeast) had 21 in the nightcap and guard Terell Strickland (St. Pete) had an impressive day. Brandon Sanders (South Miami) and Malachi Hazelton (Blanche Ely) help anchor the middle for Breakdown.
The Vipers will open against Team Rio at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Saturday they play Canada Elite at 12:45 p.m. and Louisiana Elite at 6 p.m. On Sunday, the Vipers finish vs. G3 Grind at 11:30 a.m.
Breakdown gets New Heights in its opener at 8:30 p.m. Friday. Opponents will be C2K Elite at 9 a.m. and Texas Hard Work at 2:15 p.m. Saturday. Breakdown ends up vs. Team Thrill at 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
Only the 17s will be attending UAA I.
UAA I does not fall in one of the live periods in which college basketball coaches may attend.
Photo credits: Pat Lammer/2017
If you have high school or travel basketball news, you can reach Pat Lammer via text at 954-661-9671.