1. Team Memphis Elite
6 and 7 Grade Teams (Up to 2 Teams for each grade)
2014 SPRING TRYOUT at Evangelical Christian Legacy Center (HS Gym)
th
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Contact Coach Jeff Little at 901-277-1444 or Coach Tavis Rutherford at 9013/3 and
647-8055 to register for tryouts and/or with any questions. It is important that
3/4/14 6:30you make contact so that you can be notified of any changes. We will also post
8:30 Tryouts at www.teammemphiselite.com. Must attend both days.
2014 Projected Schedule
Date
Tournament/Event
Beginning
in March
Practice 2-3 times a week for 1st 4 weeks
ECS Legacy Center (HS Gym)
Will drop to 1-2 practices per week when we have games beginning in
April. There will also be a weekly fundamentals clinic conducted by
Drills-N-Skills, Inc. on Wednesdays from 4-6:30 (come and go) at ECS
throughout the season (small fee).
April 1
thru May 6
Games in Hi-C and/or MAM Spring Leagues
Mar 21-23
TN AAU State Qualifier Tourney - Memphis
Apr 4-6
TN AAU State Qualifier Tourney – Jackson (USJ)
Apr 11-13
TN AAU State Qualifier Tourney - Murfreesboro
May 9-11
6th and 7th Grade AAU State Tournaments
TN A-Game Sports Complex - Franklin, TN
June 23 28
6th Grade AAU National Championships (D1 and D2)
TN A-Game Sports Complex - Franklin, TN
July 10
-15
7th Grade AAU National Championships (D1 and D2)
Chattanooga, TN
Coaches Bios located on backside of this page.

2. Coach Jeff Little - Jeff Little brings over 18 years of coaching experience, most with various
AAU and local Middle and High School teams. Some of those team accomplishments include
numerous middle school Championships, numerous AAU Super Regional Championships,
several top 25 DI AAU National finishes (#2 in 2011 leading the 16U Team Memphis Elite), six
DI AAU State Championships and assisting the 2nd Presbyterian Lady Blackhawks as they won
the 2001 12U DI AAU National Championship. But, beyond any awards, what keeps Jeff
coaching is a love of kids and a passion for teaching. His coaching philosophy is to first develop
genuine relationships with his players while modeling an attitude that our best efforts, whether it
is in sports or in life, are what honor Christ. Jeff graduated from Miss. State University, is a CFA
and a CPA and recently retired from Vining Sparks Securities to devote full time as the Head
Girls Varsity Coach at Evangelical Christian School. His ECS Lady Eagles are currently ranked
#6 overall in the Memphis area Dandy Dozen. Jeff is a Certified Coach and Trainer by Ganon
Baker Basketball and has completed the Rick Torbett Better Basketball Read & React Master
Series and the PGC Basketball Essentials coaches’ camp. He is working on his Masters in
Christian Studies (Union University) and is actively involved with the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes serving on their local Advisory Board. He is married to Melanie Little and they have
two daughters and are members at Collierville First Baptist Church. Coach Little can be
contacted at JLittle0323@me.com.
Coach Tavis Rutherford - Coach “T” is well known in the Memphis basketball community as
he has coached many AAU boys and girls teams and is the Director of Drills-N-Skills, Inc.,
providing individual basketball skills training as well as conducting the Memphis Grizzlies
summer youth camps for many years. He was the Varsity boys’ coach at Rossville Christian
from 2003 to 2006. Coach T played college basketball for the Redhawks of Southeast MO
State from 1986 thru 1990 where he was a Division 2 All-American and is still the school’s
all-time Assists leader. Tavis and his wife, Rotrece, have two daughters. They are members
of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church and Tavis is an alumnus of Frayser High
School. Coach T is currently the Director of Skill Development and JV Girls Coach at
Evangelical Christian School. He can be contacted at TavisDRutherford@gmail.com .
Coach Manuel Burton - Coach Burton has been coaching in the Memphis basketball
community for 6 years. He began coaching with the Overton High girls basketball program for 3
years, in which the program made it to the Tennessee AAA State Semifinals each year. He is
involved with the boys Memphis Magic Elite Travel Program, which travels throughout the
country to participate in national basketball showcase events. Coach Burton actively serves as a
trainer and mentor to middle, high school and college athletes. He encourages these students to
become better citizens, and aids them in the development of their basketball fundamentals. He
challenges athletes to overcome adverse situations with a confident attitude and great work ethic.
Coach Burton is a graduate of Arkansas State University. At ASU, he participated on the
football team and was a member of the 2005 Sunbelt Conference Championship team. He is an
alumnus of White Station High School and actively participated in the football and basketball
programs. He was a member of two Tennessee AAA State Basketball Championship teams
under the leadership of Coach Terry Tippett. Coach Burton works at ECS and is an assistant in
the football and basketball programs. He is a member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church.
He can be contacted at macj8402@yahoo.com .