Clum (L), Varley (C), and Ward (R) have their eyes on the National MVP prize, which will be announced on Wednesday.

The Most Valuable Player award winners were made public on Friday, and now each region's MVP has a shot at the National MVP title.  With the Wednesday announcement close at hand, it's time to look at each player's MVP résumés:

Jesse Steele, Knicks - Berkeley Heights

Though he made just five appearances for the Knicks, Steele earned a reputation in New Jersey as an offensive sparkplug.  His 32.3 ppg led Berkeley Heights in scoring this Summer, and with two headline-worthy performances (a 10 for 19 three-point shooting display in his debut, and a triple-double on August 12th), Steele was a lock for MVP out East.

Kenny Olafeso, Wet Bandits - Bloomington South

Alongside twin brother and Bloomington South's Defensive Player of the Season, Peter Olafeso, Kenny led the Wet Bandits to a 7-1 record.  Including the playoffs, Kenny Olafeso missed just 32 minutes of action this Summer.  A constant threat, Kenny posted tremendous all-around averages of 21.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.3 rpg, and 2 spg - oh, and a season shooting clip of 61.5% certainly won't hurt his chances either.

Hammie Ward III, Storm - Lake Houston

A big man with range, Hammie Ward III was - and is - a near unstoppable weapon in the Storm's arsenal.  With six double-doubles (including one in his UH debut, possibly his best game to date), a seven-game streak with at least one block to end the Summer, and a 45% 3PT shooting clip, Ward would be a handful for any team in Ultimate Hoops.

Jon Bowling, Parliament - Omaha

Bowling may have missed three games, but when he was on the court, there was none better.  Bowling won the Defensive Player award as well, and averaging 13.8 rpg, 1.1 spg, and 2.5 bpg indicates just how strong an interior presence he is.  Bowling also shot 53% from the field and had three games with 18 rebounds.

Dan Morrow, Wolfpack - Overland Park

The centerpiece of the Wolfpack's unbeaten Summer, Morrow had at least 9 rebounds and 3 assists in every game.  Though his shooting stroke slumped in the final four games, Morrow still managed 52% FGs on the season.  The rookie will look to build on his impressive inaugural campaign that saw him lead the Pack in scoring, rebounding, and assists.

Chad Clum, Str8 Heat - Scottsdale and Tempe

Mr. Triple-Double did not win a Gold Cup for the second straight year, but if anyone is the frontrunner for National MVP, it has to be Chad Clum.  Playing for his Str8 Heat franchise in both UH Phoenix locations, Clum was an absolute wrecking ball: a combined nine triple-doubles, six games with at least 20 rebounds, and a ridiculous 65% combined shooting clip.

Doug Lambert, No Size - Warrenville

Shooting 57% from the floor and 52% from downtown, Lambert was an inside-outside assassin who finished the Chicago summer with 26.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg.  His mysterious absence from the Gold Cup game cost No Size a chance at back-to-back titles, but make no mistake - Lambert is a force to be reckoned with.

Ian Varley, And 1 - West County

David Watson may have had more impressive numbers, but Varley won the championship and he was no slouch in the statistical department either.  Varley finished the summer with 19.6 ppg, 11.3 rpg, and 1.2 bpg, and on an And 1 team that thrived on player rotation, Varley's constant presence in the lineup struck fear in the hearts of West County opponents.

Jesse Becker (L) and Louie Trejo (R) are in the running for both MVP and Best Offense in the Top Flight and Recreational divisions, respectively, in Bloomington South.

As we say goodbye to Summer and hello to Fall, it's time to see how the best players Ultimate Hoops has to offer fare in the the seasonal awards.  Members of the Ultimate Hoops Board came together this past weekend for a award study session, and announced the official nominees earlier today.  The winners will be revealed during the remainder of this week - Sportsmanship and Sixth Man on Tuesday, Best Defense on Wednesday, Best Offense on Thursday, and MVP on Friday, with the National MVP announcement to follow soon there after.

Click to view your league's award nominees for the Summer Season of 2009, and to see past winners of the awards:

Berkeley Heights Award Nominees

Bloomington South Award Nominees (both Rec and TF)

Fridley Award Nominees (Rec only)

Lake Houston Award Nominees

Omaha Award Nominees

Overland Park Award Nominees

Scottsdale Award Nominees

Tempe Award Nominees

Warrenville Award Nominees

West County Award Nominees

Str8 Heat and the Tempe Ballers came out with guns blazing in a matchup that decided the region's #1 seed.

32 points, 16 rebounds, 14 assists?  Just another ho-hum performance from Chad Clum, who might need to start setting his sights on quadruple-doubles to impress UHers.

Clum's ninth triple-double of the Summer season (five from Tempe, four from Scottsdale) helped his Str8 Heat squad tip the Tempe Ballers 114-102 to earn the top spot in the Tempe postseason.  The offensive onslaught was highlighted by a trio of Ballers scoring 22 points, the three of whom were outdone by Ashton Thomas' 32-point evening.  The Tempe Ballers hoisted 100 field goals, hitting 45 of them, in the 12-point loss that doomed them to the #2 seed.  Meanwhile, Str8 Heat shot the lights out (56% FGs, 45% 3PTs) with Clum, Brent Diedrich (27 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts), and TJ Wheeler (15 pts, 8 rebs, 6 asts, 3 stls) leading the way.

With summer in the books, here is how the Tempe seedings look:

1.  Str8 Heat (6-3)
2.  Tempe Ballers (6-3)

Str8 Heat earn the 1-seed due to a season sweep of the Tempe Ballers.

3.  Dream Team (5-3)
4.  Head Bustas (5-3)

Dream Team earn the 3-seed thanks to a head-to-head victory over the Head Bustas.

5.  Smashers (4-4)
6.  Arizona's Best (3-5)
7.  V-Force (2-6)

Next Tuesday's Tempe slate:

7pm - #2 Tempe Ballers v. #7 V-Force

8pm - #4 Head Bustas v. #5 The Smashers

9pm - #3 Dream Team v. #6 Arizona's Best

With such hearty numbers on his side, is Clum primed for a second National MVP Award this summer?

Chad Clum notched his fourth triple-double of the Tempe season last night with a 26-point, 14-rebound, 15-assist performance against always-powerful Arizona's Best.

Clum is playing the best basketball of his UH tenure this season, setting career highs for scoring average (33.5 ppg), rebound average (17.1 rpg), assist average (10.1 apg), and steal average (1.8 spg), with all four categories being set in Tempe.  That's right - he's averaging a triple-double per game on the season in Tempe.  He has a total of seven triple-doubles this summer including his time in Scottsdale, and has played all but eight minutes for the Tempe version of his Str8 Heat squad in this campaign.

Among Clum's other astonishing accomplishments from his summer in both Phoenix UH leagues: three 40+ point games, five games with at least 20 rebounds, and at least five assists in every game played.  But the big question remains: can he finally add a Gold Cup to his ever-growing trophy case?

Clum's cracker of a season continues this Thursday in Scottsdale, when the Str8 Heat play the Hoopaholics at 8pm.  He resumes Tempe play next Tuesday at 6pm.

SCOTTSDALE STUNNER: Movers & Shakers snuck past former unbeatens Str8 Heat in overtime - just minutes after a fluke timeout caused an uproar.

- No Hollywood script could have been more perfectly written: Chad Clum, a Movers & Shakers defector, scampers up court with the score tied and time winding down; he has a chance to beat his former M&S squad in thrilling fashion while playing for his new Str8 Heat franchise.  Clum crosses half court and heaves up a prayer as the buzzer sounds - the ball rattles off the backboard, off the rim, and in!  Game over!  Str8 Heat win!  A storybook all-timer is written into the Scottsdale history books!

... except none of it actually happened.

Well, this did happen - but as Clum was dribbling up the floor, one of his teammates called timeout, negating Clum's half-court winner that could have been.  Str8 Heat were unable to score to close regulation, and when the game went to overtime, the Movers & Shakers ended Clum's near-epic tale with a 76-70 win.  Victor Benjamin (23 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts, 2 blks) and Matt Hatten (23 pts, 14 rebs, 2 stls) were the driving force behind M&S' amazing victory.  Str8 Heat were led by Clum (27 pts, 13 rebs, 5 asts, 2 blks) and Brent Diedrich (23 points, 73% shooting), both of whom keyed Str8 Heat's comeback from a 10-point halftime deficit.

No doubt this game will be remembered as one of the greats in UH history, but its affects the day after are clear: Str8 Heat suffer their first loss, Movers & Shakers jump to 4-1 (creating a three-way tie with Str8 Heat and the PHX Ballas for 2nd place), and Off Constantly become the last remaining unbeaten in Scottsdale with a 5-0 record.  Next week's slate of Scottsdale games is just as incredible as Clum's non-winner - Movers & Shakers face Off Constantly, and Str8 Heat look to forget this heartbreaking loss when they play the PHX Ballas.

- That's a tough act to follow, but TJ Rickert in Omaha was up to the challenge as his triple-double (24 pts, 14 rebs, 12 asts, 4 stls) was the icing on the cake of Parliament's 101-62 drubbing of The Legacy.  Playing with five players, Parliament garnered a +19 rebounding margin, forced The Legacy into 12 turnovers, and found comfort from beyond the arc (17-36, 47% from deep) to seal their easy win.  Jon Bowling (14 pts, 18 rebs, 4 asts, 3 stls, 4 blks) and Jon Lawson (28 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts, 3 blks) racked up some impressive stats for Parliament as well.  James Meyer (14 pts, 10 rebs, 3 blks) had a solid game for the defeated Legacy.  Parliament are on a rampage (save one slight hiccup) this summer, and have scored at least 100 points in three of their last four games.  If they win out, they'll clinch at least a 2-seed.  The Legacy have faltered to an unfortunate 1-5 as they have played some close games only to end up on the losing side of them.  They draw the Robster Craws next Thursday.

- MPLS North had a trio of triple-digit scores:

1. The Rapture sunk Bad Boys 3 by the count of 100-73.  The Rapture assisted on 24 of their 41 made field goals, outrebounded the Bad Boys 54-29, and shot a pristine 51% from the floor.  Dan Simmer (20 pts, 7 rebs, 14 asts) and Joe Epple (28 pts, 19 rebs, 7 asts, 5 stls) were on fire for The Rapture, while Paul Kruse found a niche at the charity stripe (12-15 from the line) on his way to a 20-point night.  Matt Freeman (27 pts, 6 rebs, 2 stls) shined for BB3 in the loss.

2. Ninja Turtles go 6-0 with 108-47 demolition of MN Lakers.  The Turtles played much like The Rapture, assisting on 68% of their made field goals and outrebounding the Lakers by 20.  Luke Schlichte led all scorers with 34 points and set the Fridley record for three-pointers made in a single game (8).  Schlichte's teammates Ryan Jensen (22 pts, 14 rebs, 8 asts, 5 stls) and Ross Klawitter (26 pts, 12 rebs, 6 asts) had phenomenal lines for the victorious Ninja Turtles.

3. Celtics match Turtles' 6-0 mark, beat Team Ramrod 104-76.  Johnny Webb not only posted a triple double (32 pts, 10 rebs, 12 asts), but he tied Schlichte's hour-old record for three-pointers in a game by nailing 8 of his 15 attmepts from downtown.  Webb's Celtic teammate Marcus Marshall was beyond dominant, scoring 43 points to go along with 16 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 blocks.  Sam McKernon played well for Team Ramrod, scoring 29 points on 52% shooting.

- On a night of fireworks, the last thing anyone expected was the Hurricanes failing to score 100 points in Houston.  The region's powerhouse handled scrappy Team Live 82-68 thanks to a big first half and the performances of Shawn Toran (25 pts, 77% FGs, 10 rebs, 2 blks) and TJ Shaw (21 points, 67% shooting) who paved the Hurricanes' way to a 75% team shooting clip.  Team Live played well, and can be encouraged by the boxscores of Reginald Greenleaf (20 points) and Kendrick Clark (19 points).  The 5-0 Hurricanes play fellow unbeatens the Storm next week in a matchup that will more than likely settle the regular season title in Houston.  Team Live are now in 3rd place and will face the Rockets next Thursday. 

To see the big performances and scores from last night's games, choose your market at UH Life and click the "Scores" link on the left-hand side.

They may not be dressed for success, but the Wet Bandits are turning heads with their run-and-gun style.

- Two UH greats from the Arizona region collided last night in Tempe, as Michael Shamon and Chad Clum left the statkeepers with hand cramps in Str8 Heat's 100-97 triumph over the Head Bustas.  Shamon was on a scoring rampage from the get-go, finishing the game with 51 points on 21-38 shooting (6-14 3PTs), but there was little he could do to stop the all-around performance of Chad Clum.  Clum posted a 47-point, 21-rebound, 6-assist statline that more than countered Shamon's fantastic offensive display.  Besides the obvious factors of Shamon and Clum, the game hinged on each side's role players.  The Head Bustas had Ryan Brown (20 pts, 10 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls) and Joe Hormes (17 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts) following Shamon's lead, while Str8 Heat guard Brian Torpey (13 pts, 12 rebs, 5 asts) and forward Taylor Hale (14 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls, 3 blks) provided crucial support to Clum.  In the end, a 56% shooting clip and a +22 rebounding advantage gave Str8 Heat enough to get past a highly competitive Head Bustas squad. 

- In MPLS South Top Flight action, the Olafeso twins ran amok in the Wet Bandits' 122-69 drubbing of the Sonics.  Peter and Kenny Olafeso combined for 51 points, 28 rebounds, 15 assists, and 9 steals - with Peter putting together a triple-double (21-11-10) - as their squad retained their perfect record (6-0).  Kenny Olafeso shot 71% from the floor and had a pair of blocks to go along with his stellar line.  The Sonics were a mess offensively, committing 26 turnovers and connecting on just 41% of their field goals.  In the absence of Santino Clay, the iron-five Sonics were led by Daniel Karas (21 points, 6 rebounds).  The Wet Bandits play the Hoopstarz next week, and with a win can clinch the 1-seed for the Summer playoffs.

- Chicago's top Gold Cup contender, No Size, stuck the Celtics with a 102-84 loss on Tuesday.  Shooting 60% from the field and having all players scoring at least 14 points, No Size scampered to an 11-point halftime lead before cruising to the win in the second half.  Jeremy Parker (24 pts, 8 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls) and Jason Hayes (15 pts, 9 rebs, 6 asts, 2 stls, 2 blks) overpowered the Celtics' double threat of Taliaferro Roots (30 pts, 8 rebs, 2 blks) and Rich Dudley (23 points).  Despite shooting 10-18 from beyond the arc, the C's could not stop No Size's balanced attack.  No Size find are in 1st place with an unblemished 5-0 record and will play 2nd place Vertically Challenged next week. 

To see the big performances and scores from last night's games, choose your market at UH Life and click the "Scores" link on the left-hand side.

MarShaan Johnson provided a brief highlight for the Hoopstarz, who took a mighty fall against the Chiefs.

- A scintillating display in Tempe, as Arizona's Best posted a 61-29 second-half performance to defeat Black 115-76.  Victor Benjamin was the leading man for AZ's Best, scoring 44 points on 16-25 shooting.  Benjamin's teammate David Harris commanded the point, racking up 15 assists (along with 22 points and 4 steals) to set the tempo of the game, while AZ's Best big man Cody Captain (15 points, 20 rebounds) controlled the key.  Landon Yang (23 pts, 58% FGs, 6 rebs) played well for Black in the loss.

- The Chiefs of MPLS South continued their rebound from an 0-3 start as they won their second straight game last night, 78-50 over the Hoopstarz.  It was the tremendous play of the Chiefs' reserves that paced the squad to victory, as Garry Thompson, Will Leftridge, and Will Epps combined for 39 points, 34 rebounds, 7 assists, and 8 blocks.  Zach Thurow had 5 blocks for the Hoopstarz while his teammate Cedric Bates (15 pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls) had a solid line, but the Chiefs' attack proved too much for the Starz to handle.  The Hoopstarz have fallen to 1-4 following their run to last season's Gold Cup and face the Monstars next Tuesday.

- The powerhouse of Chicago, No Size, took home the win against Windy City Sole in a 93-83 shootout.  No Size shot 51% from the field and their offseason pickup of Doug Lambert (formerly of the Corporate Thugz) has done wonders for the defending champions.  Lambert tallied 34 points and 11 rebounds in the game; coupled with Jermaine Woolfolk's 22 points and 10 rebounds, there was nothing Windy City Sole could do to stay with No Size.  Avery Massengale (20 points, 11 rebounds) was the top performer for the defeated Windy City Sole.

To see the big performances and scores from last night's games, choose your market at UH Life and click the "Scores" link on the left-hand side.

A landmark win for the Tempe Ballers, as they struck down the Dream Team 63-54.

- The Rockets will play second fiddle to the Wet Bandits in the foreseeable future of the MPLS South standings, after last night's 71-70 nailbiter went in favor of the Bandits.  The usual rhythm and pace to the Rockets offense was absent (42% FGs, 18 TOs - 16 of which were steals by the Wet Bandits) and despite this, the Rockets found themselves leading 70-69 with just moments remaining in the game.  But an unfortunate foul with a mere five seconds left on the clock sent Wet Bandits guard Peter Olafeso to the line, where he could (and did) win the game for his squad.  Olafeso finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 7 steals, while his brother Kenny Olafeso had 19 points (tops on the Wet Bandits) on 64% shooting.  Chris Stanley (32 pts, 10-10 from the line, 6 rebs, 2 blks) did all he could for the Rockets, but it was to no avail.  A perfect 4-0 record and a seat atop the MPLS South standings has the Wet Bandits tabbed as Gold Cup favorites entering the second half of Summer, though they can't look too far ahead - the 3-1 Raptors await next Tuesday.  Meanwhile, the 3-1 Rockets play the Raptors in a fortnight following their big game with the Mavericks next week.

- June 2nd, the final week of Tempe's Spring regular season, was the last time Dream Team left Life Time Fitness with a loss.  That changed Tuesday night, as the Tempe Ballers scored an impressive 63-54 victory over a cold-shooting Dream Team.  The Ballers were led by Chris Olson (21 points, 6 rebounds) and Ashton Thomas (10 pts, 9 rebs, 3 blks) as their win placed them top of the Tempe table with a 3-0 record.  Dream Team shot just 37% from the field and found the free throw line less than charitable (10-21 FTs, 48%); and while they only committed a single turnover, a lack of threes and easy buckets stung the Dream Team with their first loss in nearly two months.  The Tempe Ballers' triumph is a critical one ahead of their matchup with the Head Bustas next week.

- A pair of two-point squeakers in Chicago:

1. No Size kept their march to another Gold Cup unblemished with a 75-73 win over the Lakers.  Now at 3-0, No Size scorched the gym with a 62% shooting clip as their leader Doug Lambert (34 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals) dominated from start to finish.  Two more double-doubles from Jermaine Woolfolk (15 points, 11 rebounds) and John Kreis (11 points, 12 boards) sealed the close win for No Size, despite the best efforts of the Lakers' duo of Arturo Robles (18 pts, 11 rebs, 2 stls) and LeaRon Reid (19 points, 8 rebounds).

2. The Magic entered the win column with a 63-61 win over Windy City Sole.  The Windy City Sole treble of Corey Hutchinson (20 pts, 11 rebs), Avery Massengale (16 pts, 11 rebs), and Brian Carter (12 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls) could not withstand Ron Trice (20 pts, 4-6 3PTs, 8 rebs) and Shannon Calif (18 pts, 7 rebs, 2 stls) of the Magic, who shot 54% as a team in the victory.

- The Mavericks won their second straight, controlling the second half of a 73-58 win that saw the Hoopstarz wilt.  Bryan Munsell had quite the line for the Mavs, hitting all 13 of his free throws on his way to a 21-point evening.  Munsell's teammates Dwayne Toatley (23 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts) and David Collier (10 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 2 stls) played vital minutes, while Montrell Yancey defended the paint (3 blocks off the bench).  The Hoopstarz couldn't find their range all game, as they shot 28% from beyond the arc and 41% total.  They've dropped three straight games (allowing an average of 76.6 PPG in those losses) ahead of their matchup with the Chiefs next Tuesday.  The Mavericks, meanwhile, have evened their record at 2-2 and will look to keep their run going against the Rockets next week.

- A crazy finish in Tempe saw the Goon Squad give away a 22-point halftime lead - and still hang on against Arizona's Best for an epic 89-87 victory.  Three 20-point scorers for the Goon Squad barely countered the Benjamin-Nayigihugu tandem of Arizona's Best, as the two teams lit up the Tempe gym all night.  Mike McCoy (26 pts, 4 rebs, 4 asts) and Phil Feinberg (24 points, 9 rebounds) led the Goon Squad's effort, but it was the sixth man performance of Adam Ronge (20 pts, 9 rebs, 3 blks in 31 mins) that pushed the Goonies clear.  Parfait Nayigihugu (32 pts, 9 rebs, 7 asts, 3 stls) and Victor Benjamin (30 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts) just fell short of bringing Arizona's Best back from the dead.

Other scores from Tuesday: The Chiefs pushed the tempo in an 87-74 win over the Sonics... V-Force overcame Str8 Heat and Chad Clum's third consecutive triple-double (27-19-11), winning 81-66... Vertically Challenged dropped the hammer on the Celtics, cruising 84-60 in Chicago... 33 points from Jesse Becker got the Raptors to 3-1, as they trumped the Monstars 73-65... Look out, Tempe - Michael Shamon is back in full-force, as his Head Bustas squad drubbed Black 77-56...

UH Tonight: St. Louis, Kansas City, MPLS South (Rec), Berkeley Heights