FanNation - The Republic of Sport

"Now the end is near, so I face the final curtain", as Frank Sinatra sang it and how Jay-Z rapped it, is about to come full circle, as all the GBOA regional's have been played and now all eyes are on Chicago for the Challenge of Champions on August 15th-17th.

Sixteen teams will get the coveted invite, and all of them aim to take home the crown as well as national bragging rights for the year.  Every team will be showcasing their home city's flavor and bringing mad game with them to the Windy City. They'll have to put-up or shut-up because the Challenge of Champions is for the best of the best, and only one team can finish Mr. Sinatra's ballad and say "I did it my way!"

The city of Chicago is unlike any other, in terms of the rich sports atmosphere and competitiveness, and the GBOA teams from the North region are no exception.  Representing the North will be the regional champion SYF Players and their finals opponent Team Detroit.  North MVP and N.C. State commit Scott Wood will definitely pack his sharp shooting and team play as the Players look to claim the crown yet again in Chi-Town. However, Team Detroit's hard-nose defense and hustle mentality will be on display as well. 

California is known for great weather, great beaches and movie stars, but at the Challenge of Champions it will be the home state of all four West regional squads.  GBOA West title holder, Branch West, whose team defense and solid all-around play will be in evidence in Chicago, as well as 2nd place finisher Inland Empire.  West MVP and floor general Alex Tucker will be running the show for Branch West and he will be joined by 1st teamer Michael Snaer of Inland Empire.

The East Region and New York in particular, is the birth place of Hip-Hop and Michael Jordan and home to Rucker Park were some of the roughest and toughest street ballers pound the blacktop.  Bringing their New-York style of play to the Chi will be East Region champion Juice All-Stars, led by MVP Joel Wright and fellow teammate and 1st teamer James Padgett.  Also making the trek from the East will be runner-up New Heights 17, who gave Juice quite a run for their money in the East Championship. 

From the most recent GBOA regional, the South will be the most fresh and ready to prove that southern hospitality only goes so far!  Still hot from their title game victory the Atlanta Celtics, led by GBOA South 1st teamer Derrick Favors and co-MVPs Manny Atkins and Andre Malone, are intent on extending their winning ways.  Set to oppose them and take a shot of their own at winning the Challenge of Champions Trophy is runner-up Team Breakdown with the dynamic backcourt of Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight.

The weather won't be the only thing that's hot come mid-August in Chi-Town.  The Challenge of Champions will be the tournament for all the marbles and bragging rights.  The title will give the winner serious grassroots basketball clout for the year, setting the stage for the 2009 GBOA season.  Chicago is a great back-drop and has tremendous basketball energy. The Grassroots Basketball of America family is anxiously anticipating the convergence of all the powerhouses of the AAU community to meet head on and see who has what it takes to call themselves Champions. 

The wildcard teams that will be invited to Chicago will be announced the week of July 14th, so keep a look out on gboahoops.com to see if your team made the cut!