The first game for all teams in the 128-team 17u division was an exhibition game to get them prepared for the tournament bracket.  Each team was play in a 32-team region.  There were 4 regions (East, Midwest, South, and West) in the tournament.  Houston Elite White ended up in the West Region with East Bay Xplosion (California), New York Gauchos, Chicago Hoops Express, and Minnesota Stars.  Each of those four teams are among the top AAU programs in the country!  Coach Howard knew that Elite White had their work cut out for them. 

 In their exhibition game, Elite White played the Carolina Classics (NC).  The Carolina Classics proved to be a challenge as their roster boasted a front of 4 players who each stood 6’5, 6’4, 6’2, and 6’1.  Elite White’s tallest and only 6-foot player was 6’3 Latoya Micheaux.  Elite White started slow and struggled to keep the Classics off the boards.  There were several lead changes during the game, but down the stretch, Elite made some lead defensive stops and caused 3 back-to-back Carolina turnovers which propelled them to a 48-44 victory.   Elite White was led by Morenike Atunrase (13), and Carla Cortijo (11). 

 In the first bracket game, Elite White squared off against FBC Gold (California).  Elite White found themselves falling behind early in the first half.  Elite kept fighting into the second half when they forced FBC into 5 consecutive turnovers.  With 6:51 seconds to play in the game, Elite White took the lead for good winning the game 52-49.  Elite White was led by Morenike Atunrase (18), and Crystal Boyd (13). 

In the nightcap game on Thursday, Elite faced the Potomac Valley Aces (VA).  This game had a huge significance for Coach Howard because has never beaten a team from Virginia.  Elite opened the game with a 22-1 lead and cruised to a 65-20 victory.  Leading scorers were Morenike Atunrase (14), Ashleigh Curry (12), and Crystal Boyd (11). 

In the Sweet 16, Elite White faced the Chicago Hoops Express.  The Chicago team posed another tough challenge for Elite because of their huge front line.  They boasted a front line of 6’5, 6’3, and 6’1.  Once again, Elite White were in for a tough challenged.  Chicago Hoops also had one of the top post players in the tournament.  Elite White tightend their belts and went to war with the Chicago team.  Elite led from the beginning of the game, but the score stayed close all game.  Although, the game was close in score, Chicago Hoops never had a chance because they could not contain 5’11 Morenike Atunrase.  She had her way with Chicago’s huge front line.  Morenike scored 30 points in the 73-67 victory and she also made a strong case for one of the top players in the tournament.  Elite was also led by Carla Cortijo (16), Nakazi Glover (10), A’Quonesia Franklin (10), and Ashleigh Curry (10). 

After Advancing to the Elite 8, Elite White found themselves facing the East Bay Xplosion (California), winners of this year’s Deep South Classic in North Carolina.  They also won last seasons adidas Supershowcase in Atlanta.  Not to mention East Bay has one of the top post players in the country and had only lost two games entering the tournament.  Elite White showed no sign of being concerned about East Bay’s accolades.  Elite White controlled the game from the opening tip and never looked back.  Elite White won 59-51.  Scoring leaders were Morenike Atunrase (14), Carla Cortijo (12), A’Quonesia Franklin (11), and Crystal Boyd (11). 

The Final Four paired Houston Elite White against their most heated rival Cy-Fair Texans.  Houston Elite White had lost 3 of their last 4 meetings.  Cy-Fair Texans owned Elite White this season.  In preparation for the game Elite White needed no reason to pumped up for the game.  Elite jumped on the Texans from the start of the game leading by as much as 22-points.  Elite took advantage of missed shots turnovers and long rebounds as they took they transition game to another level.   They eventually won the game 67-59.  The team was led by Morenike Atunrase (13) and Ashleigh Curry (12). 

The championship game paired Houston Elite White with another familiar foe DFW Elite (Dallas).  The two teams had just played each other 3 weeks prior to arriving in Atlanta.  Elite torched DFW in their back yard by 15 points.  But this day would proved to be different.  DFW came out stroking.  They commanded an early 5-point lead in the first 8 minutes of the game.  The lead increased to 8 with four minutes to play in the first half.  DFW controlled the boards and could not miss from 3-point range.  In fact, they hit  7 three pointers in the first half.  But Elite tightened up in the closing minutes of the first half as they closed the gap 24-28 by halftime.  DFW scored on their first 3 possessions in the second half and increased their lead to 10 points.  DFW later increased their lead to 12 points with 7 minutes to play.  But just as they had done in the previous games, Elite White turned up their defensive intensity and forced DFW to make costly turnovers down the stretch allowing Elite to get back in the game.  With 45 seconds on the clock, Elite was down 59-58 and had never led in the game.  The ball was in the hands of Carla Cortijo, the nation’s #1 point guard.  She drove the lane and hit a reverse lay-up with 17 seconds to play.  Elite then forced DFW to turn the ball over on the ensuing possession and Nakazi Glover hit a break away lay-up as time expired.  Elite won in stunning fashion 62-59.  According to Arizona State assistant coach Joseph Anders, “It was the most exciting Championship AAU game that I have seen in a long time!”  Elite was led by Morenike Atunrase (18) and Carla Cortijo (13).  Carla Cortijo was given the Finals MVP and Morenike was named as team MVP and All-Tournament.