The state’s top-ranked 12-and-under sixth-grade AAU basketball team resides in Selma.

The TNA Heat moved into the top spot with a 42-39 victory over the Montgomery Kings to win the Young Men Basketball of America (YOBA) championship last weekend at the Montgomery Sportsplex. The Kings were previously-ranked No. 1 in the state. They are also ranked nationally among the Top 50.

Myles Hannah led the TNA Heat with 15 points, including 13 in the first half to keep the team within distance. Joshua Davis and Derick Smith scored nine points in the second half, allowing TNA Heat to pull off the win.

Leading scorers for the tournament were Erick Smith (69 points), Myles Hannah (64 points), Joshua Davis (50 points), Derick Smith (39 points), Titus Lanier Jr. (22 points) and Tristian Walls (17 points).

“Coach Titus Lanier Sr. and I cannot put it into words how well this team has come together,” TNA Heat coach Marcus Hannah said. “Out of 12 young men from the surrounding area, for eight of them, this is their first year playing. Coach Titus and I sit around contemplating the style of our young men and how well their chemistry is. There’s no selfishness and they’re willing to make passes to the open man.”

Hannah said everything starts with Titus Lanier Jr.

“We have to give credit to our floor general, Titus Lanier Jr., who can score a lot, but sacrificed his game to make sure the other teammates are in the right position and control the tempo of the game.”

Hannah pointed out other players and compared them to NBA veterans.

“Joshua Davis is our sniper, which we call him Klay Thompson and also our best free throw shooter,” Hannah said. “He spreads the floor so our other players have lanes to drive. Adrian Smith, who’s 6-3 and just turned 12, is our Anthony Davis. He protects the rim, has great instincts and has great moves in the post.

“Derick Smith and Myles Hannah are our assassins. They can push the ball up the floor, can go to the hole or shoot mid-range jumper or three-point shot. Whenever we need a basket or when the offense isn’t going right, we turn to those two. They’ve come through for us. Tristian Walls is our Dennis Rodman. He’s a rebounding machine, plays tenacious defense and can guard anyone from the one to five positions. Vinter is our Russell Westbrook. He has great skills and can get to the hole with the best of them. I want to give special thanks to our bench members when they get the opportunity to participate. They’ve come a long way from the start of the season.”

Other team members are Omari Smith, Le’Marcus Milhouse, Jordan Lamar, Jarius Barnes, Ja’Nygol Rivers, Jessie Wilder and Myles Nix.

TNA Heat has won 20 of its 22 games played this season, winning three tournaments and a second-place finish in the other one.

The TNA Heat will compete in the All-State Sugar Bowl Prime Time Super 60 tournament in New Orleans during Memorial Day weekend against teams from California, Chicago, Florida, Washington D.C. and Atlanta. They also have scheduled games in Selma, Atlanta, Memphis and Gatlinburg.

“We’d like for the community to keep the kids in their prayers to not only do well athletically, but to do well academically,” Hannah said. “When you see them out in the community, say things like ‘keep up the good work or ‘we have our eyes on you. These kinds of words help the kids stay focus on athletics and academics.”