Cypress youth basketball’s summer league crowned it’s Division A, B, and C, champions on Wednesday July 23. Cheering parents rocked the walls and bleachers of Lexington Middle School’s gymnasium as each division’s top two squads duked it out for a trophy and the title of division champions.
Division C, which featured 7-9 year-olds, started off the day with a match-up between the Kings and the Gators. The Gators edged out a 25-23 win regaining the lead late in the game to a Kings squad that looked to have the title won with five minutes to go. Kings player Jacob Sanders helped his side overcome the lead that the Gators held for the first three quarters of the game.
Scoring crucial buckets from middle range shots, Sanders and his team felt the division title within grasp as they took a substantial six point lead in the fourth quarter.
However, under the leadership of Coach Roger Roussell, the Gators were able to resurge for the win late in the game after some shaky moments.
“The Kings pushed us to our limits as it was the first time we were losing in the fourth quarter,” said Roussell. “But our boys held it together and played that solid team defense as they’ve done all year.”
Gator players Kason White and Andrew Noquez provided crucial points late in the game to help their side get the victory.
Division B’s final saw the Eagles and Clippers face off, which comprises 9-10 year-olds.
The Clippers pulled away in the end achieving a 30 -24 victory over an Eagle squad that let the pressure get to them.
Both benches where opposite in coaching styles. Clippers Coach Mike Song’s quiet but focused leadership was nothing like Eagles Coach Johnny Lee’s boisterous commands from the bench.
The lead changed quite a bit in the first three quarters of the game. Both sides were attacking with intensity, and taking advantage of every fast break opportunity.
Clipper players Ryan Zamarripa and Miles Song were the driving forces of the offense. Both held great poise outside the arc and directed the offense nicely when in the point guard role.
Andrew Ramos of the Clippers, held it down in the paint for his team scoring many points down the lane. On one occasion, when Ramos got held up outside the arc his father stoop up in the bleachers and yelled “take it to the hole”!
The Clippers did just that, taking a comfortable six point lead late in the fourth quarter, and holding off the Eagles offensive threats Brandon Lee and Ethan Tieu.
Division A’s championship game was played between the Bulls and the Lakers, and was the final contest of the night.
In a close 32-31 victory, the Bulls out-nudged their opponents with some last minute drama to gain the title for their division.
“My boys played their hearts out,” said Bulls Coach Eddie Haro. “I trained them…to play hard regardless of winning or losing. We [won] the championship and that comes from being prepared and being committed.”
Haro says his loud coaching style stems from his passion for his team to excel in the fundamentals.
“I know I yell a lot,” said Haro in his team’s acceptance speech. “But it’s never in a negative way. I yell because I want them to play the game right and play fundamental basketball.”
The Bulls’ Twin Towers, as Haro called them, Joshua Kung and Nathan Fung were the deciding factor in the game. They rose over the opponents with ease in offense, and towered over them in defense.
In the point guard position, Benjamin Tarn directed things for the Bulls and helped set up many plays that ended in a bucket.
However, the Lakers were no pushovers the entire game and made the Bulls earn every point they got. Laker player Enrico Hernandez scored most of his sides points but just came up short in the end.
Cypress youth basketball starts up again in the winter. Cypress Residents can begin signing up their children ages 7-14 on October 6 and up until October 24. Non-Cypress residents can begin registering their child Oct. 13 and up until Oct. 24.