KC Keys 10s Boys

Kansas City Keys 5th Grade Team place 4th in MAYB Nationals
There are many words one could use to describe the 2008-2009 5th grade boys Kansas City Keys basketball team.  Boring is most definitely not one of those words.  The Kansas City Keys, headed by their coaches John Brooks, Mike Davis and Hal Tyson, put on a show every time they hit the court.  The cohesiveness that this 5th grade team demonstrates is evident in every game they play.

The Kansas City Keys 5th grade boys team knows they have the potential to win any game situation that they’re put in.  But even if they are on the losing end of a game, they fight just as hard until the clock hits zero.  There is no giving up.  They have demonstrated this work ethic in numerous tournaments around the greater Kansas City area as well as in many tournaments in the Midwest. This “never back down” ethic was most recently displayed at the Show Me State games in Columbia, MO in July of 2009, where they took 1st place out of 8 teams, and also in the Mid-America Youth Basketball (MAYB) Summer Finale 16th annual boys’ national tournament in Wichita, KS, where they placed 4th out of 30 teams.  Although they’re focused on winning, they are keenly aware that they can do nothing without God, and they choose to start and finish each game with a prayer of thanksgiving for all that they have experienced as a team, the good and the bad. 

The 3 coaches’ roles are not just about winning basketball games.  Coaches Brooks, Davis and Tyson also use the games as an opportunity to teach the boys not just about the game of basketball, but about giving 100% in everyday life situations in all they do as well.  The coaches always stress upon the boys to carry themselves in a manner that commands respect from others and themselves everywhere that they go.  At times it can be trying to coach eleven 11-year old boys, but all 3 coaches do this successfully in an assertive yet encouraging manner that helps each child reach his full potential. 

Each child brings something special to the KC Keys 5th grade boys team.  Cirron Nelson may be small in stature, but he brings the fire every time he hits the court with his quick speed and agility, and isn’t afraid to go head up with the big boys in the paint.  Keilon Hunter, although the youngest member of the team, makes BIG impact on the court with ball handling skills that most boys his age only dream of.  Malik McClinton, the Keys’ big man, is a force to be reckoned with in the paint and whoever meets him in the paint won’t leave the same.  Andrew Kelow jumps up fiercely from the paint and grabs those offensive and defensive rebounds off the rim before the other teams get a chance.  Yacento Scott’s enthusiasm for the game is shown whenever he hits the court.  Mason McDow knows how to dig in the game and bring the fire when it counts the most.  Twin brothers Jabrael and Jibriel Scott both take control of the court offensively and defensively when they’re in the game and leave the competition wondering how they’re going to beat them on the next play.  Hal Tyson, Jr. puts his heart into every game with his quick speed.  Jaelon Brooks is always ready to get in the game and puts up his shots with ease.  Last but not least, Mike Davis, Jr.  has serious ball handling skills and can drop a “three” like nobody’s business.

If you ever get the chance, check out the young men of the 5th grade KC Keys basketball team.  These young men are taking boys’ basketball to a new level in Kansas City and they are definitely a force to be reckoned with.  Each year they get better and better, and, as the saying goes, the best is yet to come.