Ballard ‘blue-chippers’ attend big-time events this summer

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One Ballard County Middle and one Ballard Memorial participated in some "blue-chip" basketball experiences over the summer.

BMHS junior Jay Middleton played at the 2009 National AAU tournament in Orlando, FL, as part of the West Kentucky Elite team in late July. Teammates included some of the best that Region 1 has to offer, including Jesse Anderson, Aaron Cooper from Graves County; Blake and Chase Clark, Marshall County; Brock Simmons and Shawn Thompson, Calloway; and Josh Forest, Paducah Tilghman. Coaches for the national tournament were Greg Butler and Rob Anderson. Games were held at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.

The team qualified by finishing in the top four of the state tournament, held in Louisville. There were one of 148 teams to play in the prestigious event.  WKE played teams from Chicago, Miami (won), Michigan and two from New Jersey. In one game, Middleton got a rebound on a free throw, launched the ball the full length of the court, and scored a buzzer-beater!

The experience helps young men prepare for higher-level competition by playing against a teams with great skills and highly talented players. Some of the coaches that attended the national tournament were John Calipari from the University of Kentucky; Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University; Billy Donovan, University of Florida; Ben Holland, UCLA; Jim Boeheim, Syracuse; Bruce Pearl, University of Tennessee; and Bill Self, University of Kansas.

Middleton also was recognized recently in the Louisville High School Sports Examiner as "emerging as a prospect." The article said the forward averaged right around 14 points and 12 rebounds per game last season, while shooting 67 percent from the floor. "Along with being a good inside presence, Middleton has a nice mid-range game as well," it continued. BMHS Coach Nick Chaykowsky said several colleges already had shown an interest in the player.

Also, eighth-grader Zack Chaykowsky attended Rick Bolus' 30^th annual High Potential "Blue Chip" basketball camp and was selected to play at the junior all-star game this summer. His team defeated the other all-stars, and Chaykowsky finished with six points. Other schools from this region that were represented were Graves, Marshall, Heath, St. Mary, Carlisle and Hickman.

Last summer, almost 1,000 campers from over 40 states and several foreign countries attended. Numerous campers who have attended "Blue-Chip" in the past have been selected to Sporting News High School All-American Teams. Coaches for the teams where Terrence Johnson from Chicago, IL, and Benny Mitchell from Jackson, TN.