Are there any new 13U teams with a goal of the Elite 24? AAU Nationals? I would imagine that the Houston Banditos will be the team to beat again this year with Nor Cal, East Cobb Astros, OC Juice, and Florida Elite (formerly Central Florida Express) giving them a run for the big trophy.

Mike- We're excited to go back again as we beat the juice and a bunch of other SoCal teams to qualify. We're also going to the Battle of the South. Are you familiar with it?

Top 13U team-NorCal but of course my choice is skewed by a personal bias . We're excited to be going and seeing the top competition. A new experience for my son and our family. Should make for a very exciting season.

ncball - We played in the Battle of the South last year. In the middle of no where, but a good tournament if all the teams committed show up. We (Team Alabama) are scheduled to be there also, but might need to play in the Super NIT in Birmingham that weekend. We have a number of kids playing Varsity and JV ball and won't be back for the Super NIT's in Peachtree City and Charlotte.

Mike- We are also going to Myrtle Beach for AAU's. Are you talking about 13's? How are your kids playing JV and Varsity if they are not in high school yet? BBfam- I like that you are biased. BTW- BBfam's son is a great kid and very talented. We are fortunate to have he and his family in our program.

Some of the boys are playing middle school, but some schools go from 7th to 12th and allow 7th and 8th graders to tryout for JV ball. One of our 8th graders made the varsity team.

My son's team the Columbus Sharks will be in the BITS tourney in May. It is a great tourney as we were there last year and were fortunate to finish runner-up.