By. Zack Sandberg

The first session of the Proving Ground did not disappoint. DC Premier came ready to play starting 4-0 with solid play all around. After scoring only 2 points against Canada Elite East earlier in the day, it was Bez Mbeng who erupted for 20 points and 4 assists in a comeback win over We R 1 (0-4) and another 20 points in a 55-53 thriller vs. Team Thrill.

Team Rio joined DC Premier as the only other team to go undefeated in the first session, finishing 4-0 while having the circuit leaders in points, rebounds and assists per game in Zion Cruz, Tony Lorick & Jayden Perez respectively. Equally impressive was the 1-2 punch of Canada Elite Central’s Tyler Garcia and Javier Glasgow. Central finished 1-3 on the weekend after dropping a heartbreaking loss to New Heights then running out of gas against Canada Elite East in their third game of the day. Canada Elite East led the charge from the 6, finishing 2-2 with each loss coming by single digits. Though their effort was balanced, Jaden Clayton shined, scoring in double figures in three of their four games.

New Heights, led by Jason Rivera and Hester Isaac finished 3-1, while last year’s 7th grade runner-up, Team Thrill, Started off the league 2-2, with both losses being by one possession. With the explosive trio of Carlos Alexander, Donald Hand and Andrew Rheubottom all averaging double digits, look for Team Thrill to rebound in the upcoming session in Manalapan, NJ.

SESSION I FIRST TEAM:

Zion Cruz - Team Rio National (MVP)

Bez Mbeng - DC Premier

Tony Lorick - Team Rio National

Tyler Garcia - Canada Elite Central

CJ Scott Jr - Team Melo

SESSION I SECOND TEAM:

Carlos Alexander: Team Thrill

Javier Glasgow: Canada Elite Central

Jayden Perez: Rio National

Jaden Clayton: Canada Elite East

Jason Rivera: New Heights