Area girls teams headed to AAU nationals

July 2--They're a combined 44-10 and about to embark on their biggest challenge of the summer. And likely, the most fun.

Two area Amateur Athletic Union teams of young ladies are off to Florida and Tennessee next week, both looking to bring home a national championship. Both nicknamed the Coastal Georgia Comets, one team of seventh-grade girls and one team of ninth-graders, under the direction of Brunswick's Cedric King, will take their talents to their respective AAU Girls Basketball Division II National Tournament in quest of a title.

"They're excited, they're very excited," said King, who serves as head coach for the ninth-grade Comets and assists with the seventh-graders while overseeing all teams. "But we've been traveling often, so they are used to it now."

The ninth-grade Comets earned their way into the national tournament with one great showing after another. They won the Super Regional event in March in Jacksonville, finished as runner-up in the Spring Fling held in April at ESPN's Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., captured the state title at the Georgia AAU Championships in May in Marietta and took second at the Florida Classic in June in Jacksonville.

King said that team -- led by Brianna Gipson, Khaleh Nixon, Brea Thomas, Faith Singleton and Destiny Alston -- is the complete package.

"The kids have developed well," said King, who pointed out that several players have been together two and three years on the same squad. "Overall, they've bought into teamwork, improving defensive skills and offensively -- and (to the) discipline. We're scoring a lot of points and clamping down on teams."

The ninth-grade Comets, who are 23-3 overall, will leave for Orlando, Fla., on Tuesday for their national tournament and begin play Wednesday in the six-day event. Lawrence Gipson, Crystal King and Nagene Thomas help coach the ninth-grade team.

"The ninth-graders are able to be scouted and recruited by NCAA coaches," said Cedric King. "This is their peak time for recruiting, so invitation-only tournaments are a really big deal."

The seventh-grade Comets (21-7) earned their trip to nationals with a "Final Four" appearance in the Jacksonville Super Regional; a quarterfinal finish in the Spring Fling 1; a fifth-place finish at the Georgia AAU Championships; and a first-place win at the Florida Classic.

Future Business Leaders of America Break Barriers in Orlando

(Arlington, TX)—Orlando, FL—a place where dreams come true—was a suitable site for over 8,000 of America’s best and brightest youth to showcase their talents as future business leaders and vie for the opportunity to win over $145,000 in cash awards.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), the largest and oldest student business organization, held its National Leadership Conference in Orlando on June 28-July 1. Participants from around the country were in attendance for this exciting conference to sharpen their core business skills, expand their networks, and participate in more than 55 business and business-related competitive events.

David Lam from James Bowie High School in Arlington, TX received national recognition at the FBLA Awards of Excellence on July 1. Lam competed in Health Care Administration and brought home first place.

“This is a very exciting day for Bowie High School. David is the first Bowie High School student to receive first place at the FBLA National Leadership Conference,” said Mr. Chris Caldwell, Co-Advisor.

The award was part of a comprehensive national competitive events program sponsored by FBLA-PBL that recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. For many students, the competitive events are the capstone activity of their academic careers. In addition to the competitions, students immersed themselves in educational workshops, visited an information packed exhibit hall, and attended motivational keynotes on a broad range of business topics.

About FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million members and advisors in over 6,500 active middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship though innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.fbla-pbl.

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