Baltimore Youth Basketball Team Wins National Championship in Orlando

by LEXI HARPSTER | FOX45 NEWS (foxbaltimore.com) | July 14th 2025 at 2:08 PM
BALTIMORE (WBFF) — Team Melo's first-grade basketball team has achieved a remarkable accomplishment by winning the National World Championship in Orlando, Florida.
This victory is a significant milestone in the AAU basketball community.
The young athletes, who have been playing together since they were 4 years old, have honed their skills under the guidance of Coach Chase, Coach Mel, and Coach Troy Parker Jr., also known as Coach TP. Coach TP is recognized as one of the most respected and accomplished youth trainers in the DMV area.
"This championship is the epitome of what true grassroots development looks like at the elementary level," said Coach TP. "It's a shining example of what’s possible when youth sports is done the right way."
The team's success is attributed to a system focused on long-term development rather than short-term wins, involving consistent training, development leagues, and mentorship.
This achievement is a proud moment not only for the young athletes and their families but also for the entire Baltimore community.
Baseball’s Connor Graham Wins Maryland AAU Male HS Athlete of the Year!
Northern High School (Owings, Maryland) senior Connor Graham on November 8, 2015, became the first ever student-athlete from Ruth’s Baseball Ideals (RBI) Baseball Club (Annapolis, Md.) to win Maryland AAU Male High School Athlete of the Year honors.
The heat of that spotlight came into sharp focus when legendary Maryland AAU District Governor Ben Dubose surprised Graham with the 2015 Melvin “Mel” Parker Award presented annually to the top male and female athlete in Maryland who achieves a high standard of performance in AAU sanctioned district, regional, or national competition. The award is presented to the two individuals, under the age of 18, in recognition of their commitment and achievement in their individual or team sport.
Celebrating 48 Years of Dedication: Mary Haynes
Track & Field Sport Director Honored
At Baltimore City's recent 2025 Holiday Gala, we honored the incredible milestone of Maryland AAU's Track & Field Sports Director, MARY HAYNES – for 48 years of service with Baltimore City Recreation and Parks!
Mary has been more than an employee; she's been a mentor, a leader, and a cornerstone of our community. Among the many lives she's touched is that of Mayor Brandon Scott, whom she mentored long before he took office. But Mary's impact extends far beyond any single person – she has guided and inspired countless young people throughout her remarkable career.
Still going strong as a Recreation Leader II at Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center, Mary continues to make a difference every single day. Her dedication to our community and the young people she serves is truly extraordinary.
Please join us in celebrating Mary and her 48 years of service! Thank you, Mary, for everything you do!
CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK TWO Brackets and Schedules Are Online!
Brackets and Schedules for May 7th & 14th!
*** IMPORTANT NOTE (5/5/2016): The May 7th Schedule and 7th, 8th and 9th Grade (15) Brackets have been updated! Coaches, players and spectators need to take note to these major schedule and game changes. Don't forget - Be sure to check often for scores, highlights, photos and MORE!
Below are the brackets and schedules for May 7th & 14th:
| 7th Grade (Updated 5/2) | Saturday May 7, 2016 (Updated 5/2) |
| 8th Grade (Updated 5/5) | Saturday May 14, 2016 |
| 9th Grade - 15 (Updated 5/5) | |
| 11th Grade - 17 | |
Coaching Staff for New AAU USA Collegiate Team Named!

Coaching staff for new AAU USA Collegiate Team namedLAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—Longtime AAU Baseball coaching colleagues Mike Graham (pictured left) and Chris Cummings (right) have left the Collegiate Baseball League Europe’s Sant Boi Barcelona Falcons in order to become the coaching staff of the new AAU USA International Collegiate Team.
Representing Spain in the CBLE, Sant Boi Barcelona won back to back regular season championships in 2017 and 2016. Graham and Cummings depart as the winningest coaches in the league and franchise history. They compiled a 21-8-1 (.717) record in two years at Barcelona, consistently recruiting and assembling highly rated rosters.
Cucchiaro Wins Several AAU Awards!
CONGRATULATIONS!
The Governor and Awards Committee of the MD District AAU are pleased to announce that JOE CUCCHIARO (Sport Director, Swimming) won several AAU awards for his outstanding work during the 2021 AAU/CMSL swimming season. Mr. Cucchiaro received the following awards:
- The JOHN G. CONSIDINE – “SPORT DIRECTOR MEMBERSHIP AWARD – Most Registered Participants”
- The JOHN G. CONSIDINE – “SPORT DIRECTOR MEMBERSHIP AWARD - Largest Percentage Increase in New Registrations”
- The WILLIAM “BILL” STEVENS – “CLUB EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR" AWARD
- MARYLAND LOCAL & NATIONAL "AAU VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR" AWARDS
Diamondetts Take First Place!
BALTIMORE - The Pink Diamondetts (8u) & Pink Diamonds (18u) won first place and second place on March 6, 2016 at the Cheer Dance & Extreme Cash for Bash in Atlantic City, Nj.
"This particular cheer event is always exciting for the girls because it's like a show," said Coach Lisa Fits. "When you walk into the event it's dark like a theater and the girls get so excited. You never know how they will do on the stage because they are so excited by the things they see as they enter the arena."
"They start with the questions -- are we going on that stage, are they going to put the spot light on us, how do we get up there, what if I can't see if the light shines in my face, will I fall off the stage? This really makes a coach nervous."
Division THREE Tournament Weekend (04/28-04/29) Update...
Our 3rd Weekend Series Begins Saturday!
The 2018 Maryland District AAU Boys Basketball State DIVISION THREE Championship Tournaments begin THIS WEEKEND! Expect action-packed battles with a few nail-biters and cliff-hangers thrown in to make certain everyone has a good time! Play hard and HAVE FUN!
The BRACKETS and SCHEDULES for our third weekend series are available below:
| 10-Under Division 3 (Updated (4/25) | 14-Under Division 3 | Saturday (4/28) Schedule |
| 11-Under Division 3 | 15-Under Division 3 (Updated (4/25) | Sunday (4/29) Schedule |
| 12-Under Division 3 | ||
| 13-Under Division 3 (Updated (4/25) |
Important REMINDER for ALL COACHES: You MUST bring all ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS for ALL PLAYERS to EACH GAME!
Any Questions or Concerns? Please contact Ben DuBose at (410) 340-0635

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