During the holiday break, high school basketball teams weren't the only hoopsters hitting the hardwood.
On Dec. 29, the Auburn YMCA-WEIU hosted its third annual Holiday Basketball Tournament.
The tournament featured nine four-player teams from the Auburn area. Though the tournament began at10 a.m., one team arrived at 8:30 to prepare for the upcoming contest.
The overall tournament champions were the team of Leron Agee, Dave Sargent, Lonnie Love, and Nick Granato.
After going undefeated in their own bracket, they took on another undefeated team from the opposing bracket featuring players Sean Wayne, Rob Watros, Bobby Dushantinski, and Luke Christiantelli.
The championship game was played until a team scored 21 points.
The game's first half was evenly matched as the teams exchanged baskets and were knotted at a 10 points.
At that point, Granato lead several fast breaks that were finished efficiently by teammates Sargent, Love, and Agee. Sharp shooting by Wayne and Dushantinski kept their team in it. However, the champions' defense proved too stifling and their offense too potent as they eventually pulled out to a five-point lead, 20-15. The win was capped off by a steal and breakaway lay-up by Lonnie Love.
Besides an excellent showing by the champions, there were other laudable performances. The team of Todd Miller, Bill Miller, Ed Lukowski, and Sam Wilson put together a strong effort only losing once to the eventual runners-up. Inside play by Lukowski and some deep outside shots by Bill Miller resulted in success.
The runner's-up success throughout the tournament relied upon a strong inside game from Sean Wayne, and Robbie Watros. Consistent shooting from Dushantinski and Christiantelli were a lethal combination from outside. The most formidable outside shooting team was made of up of Eddie Charles, Timmy Locastro, Grant Krystovfik and Gavin Gleason.
These long-range bombers lost two heartbreakers in their earlier rounds by a total of only four points. All teams involved in the tournament displayed tremendous effort and hustle.
One team that exemplified hard work and sportsmanship was the team of Greg Giannotta, Anthony Pollard, Jacob Leader and Andrew Sanders. Although they were some of the youngest participants they made every game a close one. With their tenacious defense and never quit attitude.
Throughout the day, teams were cheered on by parents and friends who lined the wall of the YMCA gymnasium. It was great to see everyone involved and supporting the tournament's participants as well as the positive attitudes displayed by the participants themselves.
Stowell is the YMCA's youth sports director
The tournament featured nine four-player teams from the Auburn area. Though the tournament began at10 a.m., one team arrived at 8:30 to prepare for the upcoming contest.
The overall tournament champions were the team of Leron Agee, Dave Sargent, Lonnie Love, and Nick Granato.
After going undefeated in their own bracket, they took on another undefeated team from the opposing bracket featuring players Sean Wayne, Rob Watros, Bobby Dushantinski, and Luke Christiantelli.
The championship game was played until a team scored 21 points.
The game's first half was evenly matched as the teams exchanged baskets and were knotted at a 10 points.
At that point, Granato lead several fast breaks that were finished efficiently by teammates Sargent, Love, and Agee. Sharp shooting by Wayne and Dushantinski kept their team in it. However, the champions' defense proved too stifling and their offense too potent as they eventually pulled out to a five-point lead, 20-15. The win was capped off by a steal and breakaway lay-up by Lonnie Love.
Besides an excellent showing by the champions, there were other laudable performances. The team of Todd Miller, Bill Miller, Ed Lukowski, and Sam Wilson put together a strong effort only losing once to the eventual runners-up. Inside play by Lukowski and some deep outside shots by Bill Miller resulted in success.
The runner's-up success throughout the tournament relied upon a strong inside game from Sean Wayne, and Robbie Watros. Consistent shooting from Dushantinski and Christiantelli were a lethal combination from outside. The most formidable outside shooting team was made of up of Eddie Charles, Timmy Locastro, Grant Krystovfik and Gavin Gleason.
These long-range bombers lost two heartbreakers in their earlier rounds by a total of only four points. All teams involved in the tournament displayed tremendous effort and hustle.
One team that exemplified hard work and sportsmanship was the team of Greg Giannotta, Anthony Pollard, Jacob Leader and Andrew Sanders. Although they were some of the youngest participants they made every game a close one. With their tenacious defense and never quit attitude.
Throughout the day, teams were cheered on by parents and friends who lined the wall of the YMCA gymnasium. It was great to see everyone involved and supporting the tournament's participants as well as the positive attitudes displayed by the participants themselves.
Stowell is the YMCA's youth sports director
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