The Team Manimal AAU program is off and running in preparation for the team's first summer of competition.

 

I stopped by the team's first practice and walked away impressed with the nice collection of young talent and head coach Maze Stallworth's preparation and demand for hard work.

 

Stallworth, who played at Morehead State University and is currently an assistant at St. Catharine College, will guide his 15U team into several local and national tournaments beginning April 12 and ending at the national tournament in Florida at the end of July.

 

Team Manimal is funded largely by Stallworth's former Morehead State teammate Kenneth Faried, who now stars for the Denver Nuggets. There is a strong presence of Faried and former Morehead State head coach Donnie Tyndall in the team's foundation. In fact, the team colors will be very familiar to NBA fans (think Nuggets).

 

"If you don't play hard, you can't play for Team Manimal," Stallworth told his players shortly after practice tipped off.

 

After some warm-up drills, Stallworth put his kids through some very Tyndall-esque scramble drills and eventually closed out practice with some transition work.

 

My take away from the team's first practice was the willingness of the kids to work hard. The team will be small with Somerset's Jared Farris being the only post player, but will get up and down the court and play aggressive, "in-your-face" defense.

 

The Bullitt East tandem of Tyler Sharpe and Bailey Rakes gives the team two outstanding outside shooters which opens up scoring opportunities for the likes of Perry Ayers (Bowling Green), Mason Faulkner (Caverna) and Trenton Russell (Magoffin County).

 

Rowan County's Larry Whelan provides an impressive all-around game on both sides of the ball. D.J. Keeling will give the team some excellent ball-handling, speed and hustle (note the dive into the stands in the video).

 

South Warren's Brian Cummings and Brandon Stacker round out a solid young roster that will win plenty of games this summer.

 

Team Manimal Roster:

 

- Tyler Sharpe, Bullitt East

- Bailey Rakes, Bullitt East

- Larry Whelan, Rowan County

- Trenton Russell, Magoffin County

- Perry Ayers, Bowling Green

- D.J. Keeling, Washington County

- Bryan Cummings, South Warren

- Brandon Stacker, South Warren

- Mason Faulkner, Caverna

- Jared Farris, Somerset

 

Head Coach: Maze Stallworth

Assistant Coach: Ty Proffitt

Assistant Coach: Matt Taylor

Assistant Coach: Brandon Johnson

 

Stallworth handed players a copy of his "Team Manimal Standards":

 

1. We will represent ourselves and the Team Manimal brand to the highest level.

2. All players will hold above a 2.8 t participate on Team Manimal.

3. We will never quit in a time of adversity.

4. We will display sportsmanship to all competitors.

5. We will be the toughest team in the NATION!

6. Team Manimal is a Family. Everything we do, we will do it together as one. When one man fails, we all fail. When one man succeeds, we all succeed.

 

"Brothers Keeper"

 

Team Manimal Game Schedule:

 

 

April 12-14 Knoxvegas Heat Invitational (Knoxville, TN)

April 19-21 Spring Slam Classic (Lexington, KY)

April 26-28 Adidas Spring Classic (Indianapolis, IN)

May 10-12 Adidas May Classic (Indianapolis, IN)

May 17-19 Kentucky State Tournament (Lexington, KY)

 

May 31-June 2 National Gear-up Tournament (Indianapolis, IN)

 

July 10-14 Adidas Invitational (Indianapolis, IN)

July 15-16 Eddie Ford Round Robin Tournament (Louisville, KY)

July 17-21 Eddie Ford Kentucky Hoop-Fest (Louisville, KY)

July 25-31 National Tournament (Buena Vista, FL)

 

Team Manimal AAU Preps for Inaugural Campaign | AllKyHoops.com

[video=youtube;BhV-xoJR8_Y]

This is awesome. Thanks for posting.

The Team Manimal AAU program is off and running in preparation for the team's first summer of competition.

 

I stopped by the team's first practice and walked away impressed with the nice collection of young talent and head coach Maze Stallworth's preparation and demand for hard work.

 

Stallworth, who played at Morehead State University and is currently an assistant at St. Catharine College, will guide his 15U team into several local and national tournaments beginning April 12 and ending at the national tournament in Florida at the end of July.

 

Team Manimal is funded largely by Stallworth's former Morehead State teammate Kenneth Faried, who now stars for the Denver Nuggets. There is a strong presence of Faried and former Morehead State head coach Donnie Tyndall in the team's foundation. In fact, the team colors will be very familiar to NBA fans (think Nuggets).

 

"If you don't play hard, you can't play for Team Manimal," Stallworth told his players shortly after practice tipped off.

 

After some warm-up drills, Stallworth put his kids through some very Tyndall-esque scramble drills and eventually closed out practice with some transition work.

 

My take away from the team's first practice was the willingness of the kids to work hard. The team will be small with Somerset's Jared Farris being the only post player, but will get up and down the court and play aggressive, "in-your-face" defense.

 

The Bullitt East tandem of Tyler Sharpe and Bailey Rakes gives the team two outstanding outside shooters which opens up scoring opportunities for the likes of Perry Ayers (Bowling Green), Mason Faulkner (Caverna) and Trenton Russell (Magoffin County).

 

Rowan County's Larry Whelan provides an impressive all-around game on both sides of the ball. D.J. Keeling will give the team some excellent ball-handling, speed and hustle (note the dive into the stands in the video).

 

South Warren's Brian Cummings and Brandon Stacker round out a solid young roster that will win plenty of games this summer.

 

Team Manimal Roster:

 

- Tyler Sharpe, Bullitt East

- Bailey Rakes, Bullitt East

- Larry Whelan, Rowan County

- Trenton Russell, Magoffin County

- Perry Ayers, Bowling Green

- D.J. Keeling, Washington County

- Bryan Cummings, South Warren

- Brandon Stacker, South Warren

- Mason Faulkner, Caverna

- Jared Farris, Somerset

 

Head Coach: Maze Stallworth

Assistant Coach: Ty Proffitt

Assistant Coach: Matt Taylor

Assistant Coach: Brandon Johnson

 

Stallworth handed players a copy of his "Team Manimal Standards":

 

1. We will represent ourselves and the Team Manimal brand to the highest level.

2. All players will hold above a 2.8 t participate on Team Manimal.

3. We will never quit in a time of adversity.

4. We will display sportsmanship to all competitors.

5. We will be the toughest team in the NATION!

6. Team Manimal is a Family. Everything we do, we will do it together as one. When one man fails, we all fail. When one man succeeds, we all succeed.

 

"Brothers Keeper"

 

Team Manimal Game Schedule:

 

 

April 12-14 Knoxvegas Heat Invitational (Knoxville, TN)

April 19-21 Spring Slam Classic (Lexington, KY)

April 26-28 Adidas Spring Classic (Indianapolis, IN)

May 10-12 Adidas May Classic (Indianapolis, IN)

May 17-19 Kentucky State Tournament (Lexington, KY)

 

May 31-June 2 National Gear-up Tournament (Indianapolis, IN)

 

July 10-14 Adidas Invitational (Indianapolis, IN)

July 15-16 Eddie Ford Round Robin Tournament (Louisville, KY)

July 17-21 Eddie Ford Kentucky Hoop-Fest (Louisville, KY)

July 25-31 National Tournament (Buena Vista, FL)

 

Team Manimal AAU Preps for Inaugural Campaign | AllKyHoops.com

 

You seem to be "in the know" regarding this team. Can u tell me if/how Chandel Shanklin is affiliated with them?

You seem to be "in the know" regarding this team. Can u tell me if/how Chandel Shanklin is affiliated with them?

 

Chandel Shanklin son or step son is Bryan Cummings from South Warren.

Chandel Shanklin son or step son is Bryan Cummings from South Warren.

Ok, thanks!

Also, when I saw the roster a few weeks ago, there was another big kid on there. I believe the name was Elkins. Don't see that name on this list. Is that accurate?

Ok, thanks!

Also, when I saw the roster a few weeks ago, there was another big kid on there. I believe the name was Elkins. Don't see that name on this list. Is that accurate?

Colton elkins is playing with the Louisville magic 15u. Boyle Co teammate Hagen Tyler is playing with the magic 16u

Looking forward to following this team. They have some good young talent

Looking forward to following this team. They have some good young talent

 

I didn't know Elkins was playing with Magic. I think their 15U team has a couple of kids that played with HOop Dreams in the past, though it has been a few years. They were from Dunbar and Madison Central. Also heard Kirby and maybe Drabo were playing for them (Louisville kids). You know their roster? Would think they should be pretty good as well.

Good for Maze. I hope he continues to do this.

I didn't know Elkins was playing with Magic. I think their 15U team has a couple of kids that played with HOop Dreams in the past, though it has been a few years. They were from Dunbar and Madison Central. Also heard Kirby and maybe Drabo were playing for them (Louisville kids). You know their roster? Would think they should be pretty good as well.

I work weekends so I haven't been able to see them practice or see who's on the 15u team. I do know elkins and stearns Fromm Wayne County are on the team. The magic are practicing today in Lexington before they leave for Atlanta tomorrow so I'm going up to watch them workout for the first time.