There is A LOT to get to regarding the 2025 Travel Team Jamboree that took place this past weekend at The Big House in Tavares and we will do that over the next several days. While the Travel Team Jamboree was taking place for HS aged teams, Source Hoops Next held a “mini-tournament” for middle-school level teams. We took a break from the Travel Team Jamboree to catch the future of the game.
The 8th Grade final, Skills Center Elite out of Tampa took on a Tre Mann Elite squad that hailed mostly from the North Florida region. Tre Mann had a superior size and depth advantage but from the outset it was clear that Skills Center Elite was not going to be intimidated.
Tre Mann Elite got out to a quick 6-0 lead in the first minute and a half of game, forcing an SCE timeout. The stoppage in play seemed to help and over the next few minutes, SCE was able to get back into the contest, down just 13-8 with ten minutes left in the half. At that point, TME put together an 11-2 run, fueled by its defense forcing turnovers and converting them into points. With five minutes left in the half, Tre Mann Elite was up 24-10. SCE shook that off, outscoring TME by five the rest of the half and was down just nine, 34-25, at the break.
For much of the second half, Tre Mann Elite was able to keep Skills Center Elite at bay, maintaining a double digit lead through the first eight minutes. Down 54-42 with eight minutes to play, Skills Center Elite put together a run to close to within seven, 61-54, with four minutes left to make it a ball game. TME flexed its muscles from that point on, outscoring SCE 10-4 to win by a score of 71-58.
Tre Mann Elite was led by Zayden Garcia with 20 points while Kyson Chives added 17 points and Gavin Youmans finished with 12 points.
For Skills Center Elite, Robert Green paced the team with 20 points while Sochima Okeke added 18 points and 14 rebounds.
Garcia, out of Williston Middle/High school, is 6’3, shows a high basketball IQ, and once his perimeter shot gets ironed out, has the potential to be a D-I basketball player.
Chives, also at Williston Middle/High School, is 6’0, played quality minutes on the varsity squad last season, plays with a motor that revs high and always seems to be on the attack at both ends of the floor.
Youmans has varsity experience play at North Florida Educational Institute in Jacksonville. He has a solid frame, a reliable perimeter shot and has been well-schooled in the concepts and fundamentals of the game.
Elie Mukanya, at 6’5, gave Tre Mann Elite a potent inside presence. Also at NFEI in Jacksonville, he had a pair of ferocious dunks in the contest as well as a couple of blocks in the lane. He has a lot of athletic upside and if he continues to grow and develop skill-wise, he has the look of a college prospect in the future.
Green of Skill Center Elite looks to be 6’0+ already (their roster didn’t list heights). He has outstanding shot mechanics, has range to the arc, and isn’t afraid to challenge defenders at the basket.
Okeke runs about 6’3 at this time and is at North Tampa Christian. He has long arms and a strong frame with excellent timing and leaping ability. Okeke seemed to be in the mix for every missed shot at both ends of the court. He hit a couple of mid-range jumpers but the rest of his damage came in the lane.