Zeke Marshall!!

[Zip Watcher]

Zeke Marshall and the Pittsburgh Storm are coming to NE OH to play in the Solon Cage Classic THIS WEEKEND.Official Site - Solon Cage Classic.For those interested in seeing Zeke play .. supporting the Storm, etc, I've assembled the following information:

1. The Storm are guaranteed 2 games on Saturday April 12th
2. Game times are 11:30 AM and 2 PM
3. The games are located at the Edge Sports Complex in Twinsburg
4. That complex is located on OH-82 (Aurora Rd.) east of OH-91 (Darrow Rd.)
5. A mapquest map of the site is HERE.
6. Should they win both games, the Storm would get a bye and play Sunday afternoon @ 1:15 at Aurora HS.
7. Any losses would leave them playing a first round bracket game Saturday night @ Solon HS, time TBD.
8. Full schedule and bracket information is found on this page.

Now let's get out there and support a {hopefully} future Zips cager!Please be mindful of your conduct regarding contact .. represent UA and the Rowdies well .. and I'll see you on Saturday! B) B)

[RowdyZip]

Zeke Marshall and the Pittsburgh Storm are coming to NE OH to play in the Solon Cage Classic THIS WEEKEND.Official Site - Solon Cage Classic.For those interested in seeing Zeke play .. supporting the Storm, etc, I've assembled the following information:

1. The Storm are guaranteed 2 games on Saturday March 12th
2. Game times are 11:30 AM and 2 PM
3. The games are located at the Edge Sports Complex in Twinsburg
4. That complex is located on OH-82 (Aurora Rd.) east of OH-91 (Darrow Rd.)
5. A mapquest map of the site is HERE.
6. Should they win both games, the Storm would get a bye and play Sunday afternoon @ 1:15 at Aurora HS.
7. Any losses would leave them playing a first round bracket game Saturday night @ Solon HS, time TBD.
8. Full schedule and bracket information is found on this page.

Now let's get out there and support a {hopefully} future Zips cager!Please be mindful of your conduct regarding contact .. represent UA and the Rowdies well .. and I'll see you on Saturday! B) B)

April 12th I'll be there for at least one of em.

[FromdaBurgh]

Zeke, myself and the rest of his family look forward to seeing you all as well. Thank you so much for supporting him and the Pgh Storm. Give us a wave and shout it loud...ZIP NATION IN DA HOUSE!!!! See ya Saturday....PEACEZeke's Mom

[Zipper10]

Zeke Marshall and the Pittsburgh Storm are coming to NE OH to play in the Solon Cage Classic THIS WEEKEND.Official Site - Solon Cage Classic.For those interested in seeing Zeke play .. supporting the Storm, etc, I've assembled the following information:

1. The Storm are guaranteed 2 games on Saturday April 12th
2. Game times are 11:30 AM and 2 PM
3. The games are located at the Edge Sports Complex in Twinsburg
4. That complex is located on OH-82 (Aurora Rd.) east of OH-91 (Darrow Rd.)
5. A mapquest map of the site is HERE.
6. Should they win both games, the Storm would get a bye and play Sunday afternoon @ 1:15 at Aurora HS.
7. Any losses would leave them playing a first round bracket game Saturday night @ Solon HS, time TBD.
8. Full schedule and bracket information is found on this page.

Now let's get out there and support a {hopefully} future Zips cager!Please be mindful of your conduct regarding contact .. represent UA and the Rowdies well .. and I'll see you on Saturday! B) B)

My Birthday is this Saturday the 12th...what a nice b-day gift it would be for Zeke to announce he is becoming a Zip!Good Luck this weekend and kick some Solon Classic ace

[FromdaBurgh]

Greetings Zip Nation:For those who are stuck on the "we need someone ranked too be a recruit" well check this out..ZEKE IS RANKED #61 (4 STARS) in Scout's Top 100 for the Class of 2009.Check out the link fam:http://scouthoops.scout.com/a.z?s=75&p...=88&yr=2009Holla back Zip Nation........... Zeke's Mom

[Blue & Gold]

I'm fairly certain I'm not going to be able to make Zeke's games today in Solon. I've got a funeral that I should probably attend - so it's not like I'm just skipping out. Hopefully we can get a handful of the ZipsNation up there to cheer on Zeke! Go Zeke! Zzzzzzzeeeeeeeeke! Have fun today, Zeke! Wish I could be there.

[Zip Watcher]

I'm fairly certain I'm not going to be able to make Zeke's games today in Solon. I've got a funeral that I should probably attend - so it's not like I'm just skipping out. Hopefully we can get a handful of the ZipsNation up there to cheer on Zeke! Go Zeke! Zzzzzzzeeeeeeeeke! Have fun today, Zeke! Wish I could be there.

I'll post some results when I get back tonight .. and the schedule for Sunday .. so you may have a chance later this weekend.Go Storm.

[gozips19]

GameChngr54, is Zeke's team playing in the Lebron tournament in Akron? Would like to see Zeke in person and that tourney is fun to attend.

[Zip Watcher]

I was able to catch both games on Saturday, along with no less than 8 other Zips fans in attendance to observe the Pittsburgh Storm. My main observation: Any and all Zips fans that are able should go see this team & their center play on Sunday. You won't be disappointed.My main thoughts on what I saw:1. At times it was like watching Shaq against 6th graders. In the first game, I think Zeke had 7 or 8 blocks in the first 10 minutes. Ended up with 12 for the game. Some of these were on the perimeter as he closed on an outside shooter quickly. After awhile the first opponent stopped going inside. I don't blame them.2. I'm not sure if he needed to jump to block those shots or not .. but they went a flying ...3. I'm not a talent expert or scout, but seems to me that ZM has a huge upside. He's bigger (thicker) than I expected, given the weights listed on the recruiting site. He's strong, quick, and agile. No clumsiness or anything about him. The man can play basketball.4. One thing I think you'll see on Sunday is the Storm is a darn good hoops team. In addition to Zeke, I'd guess that at least 2, maybe 3 other guys on the team are headed to D1 programs, though none have verballed yet. The team this weekend does not include any unsigned seniors .. only juniors and below. But there are a few guards on the team that should get calls from Reggie Witherspoon. He could use the help. #10 especially impressed me, as did 11 at times. There was a sequence in the first game where the other team turned it over in the backcourt on 4 consecutive possessions, all due to the Storm's guard play.5. By the way .. the Storm hung 89 on both teams, and won both games by over 40 points. The games were 2 16 minute halves .. so they got up and down pretty well. They defended and scored.6. I've forgotten how good AAU hoops can be. Both the play and the officiating were first rate .. a real treat to enjoy for a change.7. I can go on about the talent on the floor, but I recommend you go see it for yourselves. The guy has a TON of potential. He shows some commitment to defense and rebounding already. Demonstrated a couple of different effective post moves .. back down and turnaround, little sky hook .. and he blocks everything in sight. Defensively, he's a monster now. I'm curious to see him a year from now. Absolutely worth the drive to see the Pittsburgh Storm on Sunday. The weather's gonna be crappy, so why not go inside and see some hoops.I'm otherwise engaged on Sunday so I probably won't make it out there .. but I'm sure to get down to the King James Classic in 2 weeks.Go Zips .. Go Storm ... GO SEE THEM PLAYPS -- Here's a shout out to lilroodude .. what say you big fella?

[Zip Watcher]

Updating the Storm's schedule based on Saturday's results:They play at 1:15PM at Aurora High School. Mapquest tells me that you can find Aurora HS HERE. Generally speaking, it appears to be just southwest of the intersection of Rt 82 and 43. Easy to get to. Not far from 480 or the Turnpike or Rt. 91.Should they win at 1:15, they'll advance to play at 5:15 PM also at Aurora HS.If they win that, they'll be playing in the finals at Solon High School, at 7:30 PM on Sunday. Our friends at mapquest tell me that Solon High School is found just off of Rt. 91 (Darrow Rd / SOM Center) a short drive north of Twinsburg.Check the Solon Cage Classic link in the first post of this topic for updates on the schedule & scores. I think they've been pretty timely. If you do go and have the ability .. please post to the Nation some scores & updates after the early games so more folks know the skinny for the evening game.We all need to continue to be good examples of Zips fans. Be friendly. And mindful of compliance. Have a nice time, you'll see a really good team if you go.Go Storm

[Valpo Zip]

Thanks for the update ZipWatcher.One question though, you say that there was no less than 8 zips fans. Did you know that because you know them or where they visibly seen as zips fans? (geared in blue and gold?) did they cheer on Zeke and let him feel the zips love?It is great to read what you said about Zeke, only if i can have the peace of mind by knowing 100% that he will be a zip. I hope the coaches and the people in the Computer Science department keep doing a good job.

[Blue & Gold]

Thank you ZipWatcher! I have never watched AAU ball, so I am very interested! And I am, naturally, EXTREMELY interested in watching our new buddy Zeke! Zzzzzzzeeeeeeeke!!!I teach a children's program at my church on Sunday nights, so I'm not going to be able to make it tonight to cheer Zeke on. However, I'm going to write LeBron's King James Classic in stone in my daytimer! The Pittsburgh Storm is playing in the LBJ tourney, right? Hopefully they'll get a game in the JAR! It'd be great to see Zeke run ball on the JAR's hardwood! We want Zeke representing the blue and gold of UA!!!Go Zeke!!! Go Zips!!!

[GoZips88]

:blink: :blink: :blink: ZW summed it up really well ... WELL worth anyone's time today to go see this guy and his team play. The Storm coach thinks he's got 4 or 5 D-1 players on the team and it wouldn't surprise me. They play hard, smart, team basketball on both ends of the court.Zeke Marshall ... as his mother calls herself on this board, a "game changer, " ESPECIALLY on the defensive end of the court. Positions himself well for blocks in close to the basket and, as ZW stated, can motor out near the perimeter when necessary to affect outside shots. Really seems to be a team player (didn't sense A-N-Y attitude/ego) who just enjoys playing the game. Zeke's step-father came over to us (there were four of us clad in "Akron" gear that I saw) after the first game, introduced himself and thanked us for showing up to watch Zeke. We also got to say hi to Zeke and his mother (Zeke's sister was enjoying a nice nap). I walked out of the building just shaking my head ... a quality package of good parents, emphasis on education first, and sky's-the-limit basketball talent. Head up to Aurora/Solon today or to the JAR in a couple of weeks (King James Classic) if you can and I think you'll agree, you'll be a fan of Zeke Marshall regardless of where he ends of playing college ball (well ... Can't State excluded of course).Good luck today Zeke! A real pleasure meeting you and your family. GO STORM!

[Zip Watcher]

Thanks for the update ZipWatcher.One question though, you say that there was no less than 8 zips fans. Did you know that because you know them or where they visibly seen as zips fans? (geared in blue and gold?) did they cheer on Zeke and let him feel the zips love?

I wouldn't say it was like the Rowdies were in the house or anything .. but it was apparent who the Akron fans were that were there. I'm pretty sure all had a hat or shirt on. The one thing about the early rounds of these AAU events .. the only people there are generally the parents. So even a small block of interested fans supporting a team is noticed.

[Zip Watcher]

I wasn't able to make it out on Sunday. Did anyone go?Seeing the results @ the tournament site makes me wonder what happened in the first game. The Storm go down to CBIZ to a tune of 56-42. There must have been some effective defense preventing the Storm from pushing the ball, since they were averaging 89 coming in.Anyone catch the game & can report back?The Storm will be at the King James tournament @ UA & surrounding gyms in 2 weeks. If you're in WPa, I believe they're playing at the Pittsburgh Jamfest next weekend. A rumor has them on Pitt's home court on Friday night.Go Zeke .. tear 'em up!Go Zips!

[FromdaBurgh]

OK..Ladies and Gentlemen:I'll try to address as many of the questions as possible. Yes, we recognized the Zip fans when they came in... THANKS AGAIN Guys it really was a pleasure meeting you all and Zeke was soooo touched by you all. As for the game today...WE WERE OFF, OFF, OFF. Our outside shooters were having a really bad game, CBiz doubled down on Zeke and they kept him off of the offensive boards so we were not able to get second chance shoots. CBiz also had 3 big guys and our boys weren't able to match up with them. It wouldn't have been so bad if our shooters were on point, but we couldn't buy a basket. They played hard...but unfortunately they seem to lose "something" when they have to come up against a team who has "size". Zeke did his part as best he could...he stayed out of foul trouble, made his presence felt on the defensive end...but he couldn't be everywhere...and the other guys couldn't or wouldn't play Storm defense like they should have. They are playing in the Jamfest...our first game is Friday @ 6:30pm - Pete Ctr main floor. No coaches are allowed in this game...AND they will be playing against a team from (I believe) NC who have a 7'0; 6'8 and I think a 6'9 player. Again, our issue will be being able to handle those other big guys. Our second game is at 8:30 am- Sat @ Trees Hal (I believe we are playing against a team from NY). We will be playing in the King James tourney also...as I know it we are in (what they call the Top 48 Elite--which include the top 48 teams (this is by invitation only). I do know that those games will be played at either the JAR or Can't State main gym. The schedule is due out by the 20th. In the meantime...Zeke is working with a nutritionist and I am trying to get a personal trainer to work with him as well. Zip fans....keep showing the big guy much love...u never know what may happen during the KJ tourney... Holla Back...yaZeke's Mom

[BirdZip]

Not the best pics, but gives you an idea of his size...Excellent mobility for a 7-footer, and had fun the whole time he was out there.

[Zip Watcher]

Did you grab any photos of those "players" running sprints along the baseline in game 2?