News Summary
The Dreamchasers United NNK basketball team finished as runners-up in the National Travel Basketball Association Boys National 12U tournament. They showcased remarkable skills and teamwork, achieving a record of 5 wins and 1 loss. Coached by Dwayne Pinn, the team’s success highlights the talent emerging from Lancaster County. Additionally, the 10th-grade team celebrated victory at the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Live Period Tournament, indicating a bright future for these young athletes in the competitive sports arena.
LANCASTER, PA – The Dreamchasers United NNK basketball team has concluded a remarkable journey as they finished as the runner-up in the National Travel Basketball Association 2025 Boys National 12U tournament, held from July 14-19 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Out of a competitive field of 36 participating teams, the local team achieved an impressive record of 5 wins and 1 loss, showcasing their skill and teamwork on a national stage.
Under the leadership of Dwayne Pinn, who serves as the basketball coach at Lancaster High School, the team demonstrated resilience and strong performance throughout the tournament. He was joined by assistant coach Chris Felthouse, also from Lancaster High School, as they navigated through intense matchups. The majority of the players hail from Lancaster County, making this achievement particularly significant for the local basketball community, with only one player from outside the region.
Notable team members include Semaj Tomlin, Chase Oord, Keaton Sutton, Miles Erskine, Aiden Felthouse, Kenneth Dobyns, Milan Waddy-Brooks, Landon Pinn, Nolan Pittman, Justin Mitchell, and Isaiah Brundt. This diverse group of young athletes worked together to secure a commendable second-place finish.
In addition to the 12U tournament, The Future program also had multiple teams participating in the National Travel Basketball Association’s National Championship. They were represented by four teams: sixth-grade, eighth-grade (13-under), ninth-grade (15-under), and 10th-grade (16-under). Unfortunately, the sixth-grade team faced challenges, finishing with a 0-3 record, while the other three teams ended their tournaments with 1-3 records respectively.
Following the nationals, the 10th-grade team from The Future participated in the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Live Period Tournament from July 7-21. The team initially dropped their first game but showcased determination by winning three consecutive games, culminating in their capture of the Silver Division Championship. The championship roster featured players such as L.J. Hicks, Josh Jahnz, Tristan Berg, Luis “Soso” Maldonado, Damyan Willis, Malik Smith-Jackson, Sammy Rodriguez, Lorenzo Colon, and a player known as Ojulo.
Coached by Lamont Hicks, the 10th-grade team aimed to use this tournament as a platform for exposure among college coaches. Hicks stressed the importance of live period tournaments in facilitating opportunities for young athletes, which can lead to college recruitment. Some participants had impressive performances, including Hicks and Jahnz, who were named co-MVPs of the tournament.
The players on the 10th-grade team come from a variety of schools, including Hicks and Maldonado from Murdock High, Colon, Willis, and Rodriguez from Gardner High, Smith-Jackson and Ojulo from Springfield Central, and others representing schools from nearby regions. As a result of their performances in the live period tournament, Hicks received interest from Division 1 school Bucknell University, while Malik Smith-Jackson attracted attention from Queens University of Charlotte.
Although initial results from the National Championships were disappointing for some, the success seen in the live period tournament proved to be a turning point for the players. Coaches and team members expressed optimism regarding the possibilities for future recruitment opportunities following the tournament.
This dual success highlights the growth and potential of youth sports in the region, with the Dreamchasers United NNK team and The Future program paving the way for young athletes to gain valuable experience and recognition on both state and national levels.
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Additional Resources
- RRecord: Dreamchasers Second in National 12U Tourney
- The Gardner News: Future AAU Hoops Team Shines at Collegiate Showcase
- National Basketball Association (NBA) Official Site
- Wikipedia: Youth Basketball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Basketball
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
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