Nation's Brightest Athletes Shine In Cleveland

The University Hospitals Health System 1999 AAU Junior Olympic Games Senior National Boys' Basketball Championship begins today.

With cheering parents and under the sharp eyed watch of college scouts, athletes from Chicago, Memphis and Cleveland will be competing for six days. Here's a taste of the crème de la crème of young athletes nationwide...

Bracket play begins for girls' basketball today and some favorites are emerging. Team Ohio and Oklahoma Gold Pride have already made their mark on the tournament with strong showings in pool play.

Other teams to watch are Tennessee Elite, Texas Best, Arkansas Best and Wisconsin Select (Red). Tip off for bracket play is 10 a.m. at Strongsville High School...

Hannah Tucker was quite impressed with Cleveland as she arrived in town to watch her brother in the University Hospitals Health System 1999 AAU Junior Olympic Games baseball tournament.

"This is my first time up north," said Tucker, 14, of Marietta, Ga. "It's great!"...

Between trips to the Rock Hall and the Hard Rock Café, Tucker hopes to see her brother Derrick's team, the East Cobb Astros, of Marietta, Ga., win their fourth consecutive championship at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

Adam Wheeler, 16, pitches for East Cobb and is confident in the team's abilities.

"I think we'll do a great job," said Wheeler.

Fellow pitcher and right fielder, Jeb Gibbs, agrees.

"We'll definitely do a great job," said Gibbs, 16...

The Chicago Demons are the Illinois State Boys' Basketball Champions for two years running.

Although the Demons finished 16th at last year's AAU Junior Olympic Games in Hampton

Roads, Va., the team is back to try for gold in Cleveland.

Key players could prove to be Shohn Williams and Tony Evans. Shooting guard Williams, 18, was the 1999 Illinois State Slam Dunk Champion. Williams will begin his college career playing Division I at Centenary University in Shreveport, La. Power forward Evans, 18, is a two-time All Section Red North Division winner and is signed to play Division I at Allentown Junior College in Iola, Kansas...

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