After making their AAU debut two weekends ago, Florida Prospects’ Ballas, entered their second tournament by playing in the Breakdown Hoops Festival. Florida Prospects’ first appearance on the AAU circuit resulted in a 95-85 defeat to the Miami Tropics in the championship game finishing second.

Florida Prospects Blue (16U) won five out of eight games to place third in Breakdown’s Hoops Festival this past weekend. In the first contest, the Ballas played the Worldwide Renegades (Georgia) to come up short losing by 10. The Renegades finished in the elite eight from a field of 96-teams at Nike Kingwood Classic early this year.

In game two, the Ballas regroup to defeat Fast track Future, from Orlando, 64-61. Theo Hatcher (American Heritage Academy) scored 17 points to lead all scorers followed by Depriest Ivey (American Heritage Academy) with 15 points.

Game three was very lopsided as the Ballas took their frustrations out on Canby of Oregon. Florida Prospects’ Ballas dismantled Canby by 40 points, 72-32, to improve its record to 2-1. Louis Vives, head coach of the Ballas, really express the importance of execution and focus to his team before every game. Theo Hatcher, Willie Render (American Heritage Academy) and Sammy Dotson (Boca Raton High) all combined for 40 of the Ballas’ 72 points.

However, in game four, the Ballas became overconfident to lose to T-Town of Coral Springs. “With more talented players than T-town, this is a perfect example of why you must play the game because anything can happen,” said Vives. T-Town defeated the Ballas 51-45, as the Ballas made only 7 of 17 from the free-throw line.

“I am not worried about the lost to T-Town tonight. Missing a lot of free throws will always keep your opponent in the game. This team plays well facing adversity and stiffer competition however, facing lesser competition I got to find a way to motivate my team,” said Vives.

Games 5 and 6 were against stiffer competition, as the Ballas overpowered both Jacksonville Lee Bulls and High Hoops Hustlers by 13 points respectively. The Ballas rode the hot hand of Theo Hatcher, who connected with five three-point baskets as he led all scorers with 23 points. The Ballas were too much for the Bulls as they cruise to a 67-54 point win.

Against the High Hoops Hustlers, the Ballas were in a dogfight, battling back and forth with multiple lead changes. Early in the second half, the Ballas expanded on a one-point lead to double digits. From this point, the Ballas never lost the lead to win by 13 points. The Ballas had four players in double digits.

In the semi-final game, the Ballas face Team Suncoast from Largo. This game was another game in which the Ballas were not motivated to play. Missing one of their key players, the Ballas lost 73-70 in overtime to Team Suncoast. Up next for the Florida Prospects Ballas Blue Team is the Super Showcase Championships held in Orlando, Florida starting Wednesday, July 20, 2006.