A Cleveland native by the name of Selena Benz, a 12 year old from Charles Mooney elementary school won the JR./NBA JR./WNBA Skills Challenge National Title for her age and gender bracket. Selena went through 3 levels of competition by first winning her local event, then winning the regional event, and beating out the top girls in the competition to take the crown. She was there representing the Cleveland Cavaliers market. Here is the press release from JR./NBA headquarters.
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Excitement was in the air during the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge National Finals competition at the Orlando Magic’s practice facility -- RDV Sportsplex -- on Friday, May 16. The 24 finalists from across the country and Canada were selected out of more than 52,000 competitors and were flown to Orlando with their families for an unforgettable weekend. Hosted by NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, former Magic players and Community Ambassadors Bo Outlaw and Nick Anderson, Houston Rockets forward and Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program advisory member Shane Battier and Toronto Raptors guard T.J. Ford, the competition involved a timed fundamental basketball skills test that included dribbling, passing and shooting.
Outlaw, Anderson, Battier and Ford tipped-off the competition with some inspiring words for the young athletes, followed by a demonstration of the skills test by the basketball stars. Following the competition, Bob Lanier, Bo Outlaw and Nick Anderson spoke to the children about the importance of practicing STAR qualities—Sportsmanship, Teamwork, positive Attitude, and Respect. The morning concluded with player meet-and-greets and autograph and photo sessions for the participants and their families.
Below is a list of the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Skills Challenge National Finals participants and their respective competition results, along with photos from the event. Market Name City State Time-Secs. Place
7/8 Girls
Orlando Magic Mya Thomas Orieda FL 31.54 1st
LA Lakers Catti Sidney Woodlake CA 39.44 2nd
San Antonio Spurs Angelina Coronado San Antonio TX 39.68 3rd
9/10 Girls
Milwaukee Bucks Emily Struck Mayville WI 25.28 1st
New Orleans Hornets Shaniqua Tobias New Orleans LA 25.63 2nd
Miami Heat Leanne Ellis N Ft. Myers FL 29.37 3rd
11/12 Girls
Cleveland Cavs Selena Benz Cleveland OH 19.75 1st
Toronto Raptors Shaylisha Colley Brampton ONT 21.18 2nd
Boston Celtics Molly McCausland Millbury MA 32.59 3rd
13/14 Girls
Orlando Magic Alexis Prince Maitland FL 19.68 1st
New Orleans Hornets Elizabeth Manuel Mandeville LA 19.78 2nd
San Antonio Spurs Sierra Contreras Austin TX 30.78 3rd
7/8 Boys
New York Knicks Brendan Martin South Setauket NY 23.12 1st
LA Lakers Dyllan Young Gardena CA 38.34 2nd
Houston Rockets Michael Brandley Houston TX 39.66 3rd
9/10 Boys
Boston Celtics Joe Murphy Worcester MA 22.31 1st
Milwaukee Bucks Jake Zeitler Luxemburg WI 29.68 2nd
Chicago Bulls Brady Huebbe Peru IL 31.44 3rd
11/12 Boys
Phoenix Suns Turrell Pietz-Noble Mesa AZ 21.63 1st
NJ Nets Jameel Ali Sicklerville NJ 27.60 2nd
Miami Heat Weston Graddy Fort Myers FL 30.57 3rd
13/14 Boys
New York Knicks Savion Byfield Richmond Hill NY 20.37 1st
Atlanta Hawks Theodore Hassan Fayetteville GA 26.03 2nd
Phoenix Suns Taylor Loeffler Peoria AZ 27.31 3rd
She had the second best time in the whole competition beating out all the boys in the country.
12 y.o. girl banned from playing against the boys, because she was too good.
