Happy New Year 2012!!!!! 2011 was a great year for our program and we are looking forward to taking the program to the next level this year. Here is a look back on some highlights, additions and alumni updates from 2011 and what can be expected for 2012:
1. AAU 15U team goes National and makes people take notice after winning Lebron James Tourney in Chicago and finishing in the top 16 in Vegas. Stellar play from Matt Staubi, Pascal Chukwu, Coby Lefkowitz and Paul Emdin have the team in prime position to make some major noise in the spring 2012.
2. Team Frenji Elite won its 2nd consecutive CYP Tourney and featured St John’s Freshmen sensation Moe Harkless, Iowa State Freshmen Tavon Sledge, Duquesne PJ Torres, West Virginia Jabarie Hinds, Dustin Hogue and others. We are now the staple franchize in the tourney after winning 3 chips in the last 5 years.
3, The 4th Annual Frankie Williams Charity Classic showcased the likes of Kyle Anderson (UCLA), Jabarie Hinds (WVU), Moe Harkless (STJ), Tavon Sledge (ISU), Eli Carter (Rutgers), PJ Torres (Duquesne) among many other talented players from the surrounding areas and helped raise a great deal of money for the grassroots program and foundation. The game was a sell out, drawing over 500 plus people and had great coverage and support from the likes of LoHud.com, Zagsblog, NYCHoops to Mission Court Crip, Anaconda, 5Star Basketball. Thank you to all the players, coaches and fans who help make this a great event every year for us. Look here for the 2012 5th Annual FWCC announcement coming soon.
4. Player recruitment updated saw Jr. PG Josh James receive 8 scholarship offers over the summer. Schools offered are Manhattan, Wagner, Canisuis, St Francis, Stony Brook, Quinnipiac, Iona, St Peters and he has a host of others showing interest. Stepinac is currently 4-4 and playing very well going into 2012.
5. New Additions to the family arrive: The Frenji Global Project was able to help 3 young men from Nigeria come to the US this past year to pursue their college dreams. Chima, Emmanuelle and Johnathan are all here in NY and doing great at their new schools. We will continue to reach out to kids in needs either in our hometown or overseas.
6. Alumni Updates: David Boykin (Germany), Demetrius Phillips (Denmark), Akeem Bennett (Berlin) and Spencer Smith (Chile) are all playing professional overseas. Melvin Calhoun went to the NBDL Springfield Armour free agent camp. College Almuni saw Sean Kilpatrick take a major step forward in development and helping the Cincy Bearcats (9-3) succeed this year. SK is averaging 15.9ppg. Rashad James is helping Iona to a great start providing much needed scoring off the bench for 10-3 Gaels. Andre Pope, Kenny Horton, Sean Carter, Jabarie Hinds, PJ Torres and others are all making solid contributions to there teams.
There were many more great moments in 2011, too many to remember and write down. Check back here for the continued list of success of 2011. Stay tuned for 2012 news….
Frenji Facts: Did you know that since Team Frenji has entered the Annual CYP Tourney in Port Chester back in 2006 that the teams have been to the championship game 4 out of 6 years and have won the tourney 3 out of the last 5, including the most recent back to back championships in 2010 & 2011? More impressive is that the teams have had 3 MVPs (2 of the tourneys only juniors to win the MVP award are Team Frenji players S. Kilpatrick & J. Hinds), multiple All Tourney selections as well as Sportsmanship awards. Thanks to everybody who supports the team, the tourney and our program as a whole. The 3peat is coming this year!!!
