MISSISSIPPI DELTA ELITE AAU BASKETBALL 7 July 2017

Elite Basketball News

In only its first year of operation, the Mississippi Dennis Dupree Jr.
Delta Elite Youth Basketball Program has made Program Director
waves throughout the travel circuit. The Elite 662-613-1456
have competed in three tournaments outside the msdeltaelite@aol.com
state of Mississippi with two championships and
two runner up finishes. Though their opponents
More Inside: have often been bigger and stronger, the young
The season men from Mississippi Delta Elite have found a
so far way to be competitive and to put themselves in
the hunt for championships! The team members
Sponsorship have learned a great deal about competition,
opportuni- mental preparedness, sportsmanship and most of
ties all teamwork! They have found the right chemis-
try and with each opportunity to play they are
Delta Elite
learning a lot about themselves individually and
Headed to
about what it means to be a team.
Nationals

Tournament Structure
So far each tournament the Elite has competed in
has been a two day tournament. On day Day 1,
they compete in pool play. On day 2 the highest
performing teams from Day 1 compete for medals
and trophies.

Team Travels
This summers schedule has included tourna-
ments in Memphis, Tennessee, Conway, Arkan-
sas, and Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Sponsor Opportunities
Mississippi Delta Elite Youth Basketball is a 501 c)(3) non-profit organiza-
tion. Any donor can make a tax deductible contribution to support the organ-
ization and its ability to involve more players over time. There is interest in
being a part of the organization from males and females of all ages. This sum-
mers competing teams have been young men in age groups 11-13, 15 and un-
der, and 18 an under. The Mississippi Delta Elite AAU program has several
sponsorship opportunities for area businesses. Businesses or individuals can
have their name, logo, slogan, and information seen by thousands in
communities where the members of the Mississippi Delta Elite. Play-
ers on the Elite come from Clarksdale, Marks, Webb, Friars Point. For
more information, please contact Dennis Dupree Jr. at 662-613-
1456.
 17 July 2017

Elite Basketball News

Recap: 15U championship win at Hot Springs Shootout
Coach Aaron Gilliom recaps the teams
championship win in early June at the
Hot Springs Shootout tournament in Hot
Springs, AR.
The Mississippi Delta Elite 15 and under team participated
in the Hot Springs Shootout with one goal in mind, to be
champions! After coming up short in their previous tour-
nament the 15U team had the will, energy and commit-
ment to win that event. They would not be denied and they
let nothing hold them back.
In the first game, the Elite faced off against the Arkansas
Dream. The Dream gained early momentum and capital-
ized on all the Elites turnovers taking a 5 point lead into
the half. A consistent defensive effort from forward
Queston Skipper helped propel the Elite and they went on
an 11-0 run midway through the second half to take con-
trol of the game. This was a paramount moment for the
15U team because it was the first time they came out with
a win after facing early adversity. Photo AboveThe Elite 15U (9th grade) team after winning
In the second game which would decide if the 15U team the Hot Springs (AK) Shootout.
would advance to the championship the initial player
Come Sunday Morning, you just knew that
reaction was that we were out-manned in size and
the Elite were still riding high after their
strength by a superior River Valley Express team. We
buzzer-beater on Saturday. You could feel
found ourselves down ten points early, After a timeout and
and see the energy early in the champion-
a talk the Elite realized we were in the position we were in
ship game against the Arkadelphia Bull-
due to a lack of commitment on the defensive side of the
dogs. The Elite again found themselves
floor. During the timeout, specific defensive adjustments
were made and the coaches and team decided together down early, but again willed their way back
that we could run on this team when given the opportuni- into the game. Defense made the differ-
ty. Center/Forward JaiShieldon Yates willed the Elite back ence.
into the game by dominating the paint and finishing on The Elite went into the half down two
multiple post-up opportunities. The game went back and points. Guard Dave Wilson opened the half
forth with the River Valley Express controlling the lead, connecting from the three point line on
until the final seconds of the game. With no timeouts and multiple possessions giving the Elite con-
20 seconds left to play, forward Jamarius Dorsey connect- trol of the game. The Elite ended up defeat-
ed on a three to tie the game , but the express advanced ing the Bulldogs 62-54 to take the Hot
the ball quickly down the floor and regained the lead on a Springs Shootout Tournament Champion-
fast break layup. With less than 10 seconds to play the
Elite pushed the ball up the floor and guard Bentavious
Galmore buried a three with no time left on the clock to
seal the game and an appearance in the championship.
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 HELP US GET TO

NATIONALS
Mississippi Delta Elite
will be attending Hoop-
lplay Nationals in Conway
Arkansas on July 20th
23rd 2017 we need help
with our lodging, trans-
portation and meals. If
you are interested in as-
sisting us please contact
program director Dennis
Dupree Jr. at 662-613-
1456.

Photo AboveMississippi Delta Elite Players at their First tournament in Memphis ,TN.

DELTA ELITE KNOWN FOR SPORTMANSHIP

Though Dennis Dupree, Jr. is not a trained educator, he has been around educators all of his life.
Having watched his parents both coach during his early years and after he himself had so many
opportunities to be involved in positive experiences that exposed him to so many life changing
experiences, Dupree Jr. felt that what he could do with his sports experience and his desire to be
involved in the community in a positive way. As a high school and junior varsity referee for bas-
ketball and an official for high school baseball, Dupree Jr. also knew how having a great attitude
and good sportsmanship could be the catalyst for the youth he served.
Another reason for the formation of Mississippi Delta Elite Youth Basketball Program was to help young
men and women have positive outlets to be affiliated with that would hopefully help them stay out of trou-
ble. Ringing in his head was a quote he had always heard, an idle mind is the devils workshop! By giving
youth something positive to do during the dog days of summer, maybe in some small way he hoped to
make a difference. Although the program used basketball as a means to uncover a population of youth
who had a passion for the game of basketball, it was evident in the teams first tournament that
the foundation of the program built on work ethic, respect for others, accountability, and re-
sponsibility are working to achieve the bottom line being stressed to the youth. Dupree Jr. is not
alone in his efforts. He had an idea but he has had much help! No one with Mississippi Delta
Elite receives any pay, everything is volunteer effort. Among the individuals who are also donat-
ing their time are Talisa Shivers and Feleice Shivers of Clarksdale, MS. Duprees childhood friend
and former basketball teammate at Jackson State University, Aaron Gilliom of Oxford, MS. To
get the organization off the ground he had help from Clarksdale Policemen Ben Wade and Eddie Earl.
Always there to assist support and encourage have been the many parents of the Elite players, some of
whom are also junior high or high school coaches in the area. It has been no easy feat to take teams
of youth out of state for overnight stays three times this summer with two tournaments remain-
ing. The coaches and parents welcome all help and support. The team members have been closely
supervised and have regularly been commended for the exemplary behavior they have demon-

3
 17 July 2017

This Is How We Do It!

At the end of each game players line up to shake their opponents
hand. At every game and in every practice, stress is placed on
100% effort, good conduct, and respect for each opponent. Tour-
naments for the Elite take place on Saturdays and Sundays. The
Elite travel with 30 players split into 3 age groups While one age
group is playing it is likely that the others are free to walk around
and see things so it very important that they understand to carry
themselves in the correct manner at all times or in what Coach
Dupree refers to as the Delta Elite Family way. By the end of each
tournament the Mississippi Delta Elite have participated in fans,
parents , and players of other teams are inquiring about where the
kids are from and complimenting them not only on their play, but
their behavior and their class. The Delta Elite hit the road again
July 20th for their first ever National Tournament in Conway, Ar-
kansas.

Spotlight on Our Business and Individual

Sponsors and Donors
Sincerest thanks to the following:
Corrections Corporation of America
Newsons Auto Parts
Dupree Education Associates, LLC
Gooden Insurance Agency
Js Grocery
Attorney John Cocke
Union Grove Baptist Church, Clarksdale, MS
Coahoma County Youth Outreach
Plus several anonymous donors!

We Are Wishing for

A set of 30 white uniforms Meal Assistance for players for Road Games
6 Basketballs
Travel Assistance
Lodging Assistance