The first annual Blue Chips Classic, a hoops tourney created by Kwame “Q” Thompson and Terrance “Byrd” Elcock, tipped off last Saturday in Brooklyn with SLAM serving as a proud sponsor. Despite the humid, 86-degree weather, four talented teams gave their all in pursuit of the inaugural crown. Ultimately, the Bed-Stuy Mayor Playas came away with the hardware, led by tournament MVP Aquarn “Da Da” Butler’s (from Paul Robeson HS) 18 points, 5 assists and 8 steals in his squad’s victory over the 40’s. Although in a losing effort, Eli Carter (Erasmus Hall HS) showed his range from the beyond the arc in the championship game versus the favorited Mayor Playas. Butler, who is touted as one of the city’s top high school prospects, was joined by Ibu Smith of Summit Academy. Smith had a cool 30 points in his team’s first game en route to the chip while teammate Jahlil Noagues (Bedford Academy) added a solid 23 points. Darnell Thomas, the head coach of the Mayor Playas, resides in Bedford-Stuyvesant as well and helped will his team to victory from the bench. In a day where these skilled Blue-Chip ballers showed their talents, all the teams stuck around for the post-tournament trophy celebration and congratulated each other on the success of the first annual classic.
For more information on the tournament, you can reach the founders at [email protected] or [email protected].
Photos courtesy of @BlueChipsClassic.
