Metropolitan AAU Regional Championships
WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY – The Metropolitan AAU Regional Championships took place on Memorial Day Monday at the Island Garden. While all the age groups and division chips were exciting, the D-I finales in the 10th and 11th grade age were particularly competitive.
Castle Athletics comes back; Overthrows Crown Basketball, 87-82
Castle Athletics had a grueling Memorial Day weekend having just returned from the GymRat Challenge in Albany, NY on Sunday. “We had just played five games so I knew that they were tired,” said Head Coach Marcus Matthews.
In the 11th grade Division I championship game, Crown Basketball appeared to be heading towards a sure championship against Castle Athletics, a team that was playing catch-up throughout most of the contest. A strong 15 point first half from the perimeter by Brendan McGuire (Chaminade ’18) along with support from John Alimo (Lawrence Woodmere Academy ’17) and Kyle Murphy (Chaminade ’17) gave Crown a 47-38 advantage at the midway point.
In a tale of two halves, Castle Athletics mounted a comeback spearheaded by 6'6" Aaron Burt (Monsignor Scanlon ’17) and 6’6” Malachi DeSousa (Kennedy Catholic ’17). Aided by the 5’7” one-man press break point guard Ty Rucker (South Bronx Prep ’17), Castle would tie finally tie the game at 65 with 6:30 left in regulation and never look back.
Although Rucker was the smallest player on the court, he drove to the hole and scored amongst the tallest of trees, eventually putting his squad out in front. Although Cam Wynters (Holy Trinity ’17) knocked down 13 second half points for Crown Basketball, it would be too little too late as Castle Athletics would not relinquish its lead.
“We had to just stay with it,” said Coach Matthews. “I spoke to the guys about staying focused. Once we had it tied up, I knew we had the talent to get it done.”
Burt led Castle Athletics with 19 points with 6'4" Darius Chester (Taft ’17) and DeSousa contributing 17 points and 16 points respectively. McGuire was the high man for Crown Basketball with a game high 21 points with Wynters adding 19 points
NY Lightning short circuits Castle Athletics, 68-50
The 10th grade Division I chip featured a loaded Lightning squad that simply flexed its way to victory over a game but not nearly as loaded Castle Athletics squad. In addition to being chock-filled with talent, the NY Lightning was also seeking payback according to Head Coach Peter Wehye, Jr. “Jalen Lecque (Monsignor Scanlon ’18) led us offensively and came out like he had a chip on his shoulder. With us not qualifying for the Nike EYBL, he came out with vengeance.”
“My strategy going into the game was to pressure them and rebound the basketball and basically control the board,” said Wehye. With 6’9” big man Aiden Harrison the inside it was basically mission accomplished from that aspect.
Coach called Posh Alexander (IS 392 ’20) a “Bulldog” who stepped up and led their defensive attack and also praised Jared Rhoden (Baldwin ’18) as being the team’s foundation. “He’s out rock. He’s consistent day in and day out. Midway, long ball rebounding. I love the tone that he sets.”
Rhoden paced NY Lightning with 16 points with Lecque contributing 14 points along with Alexander’s 11 points. 6'8" Souleymane Koureissi (Iona Prep ’18) was the only Castle Athletics player in double-digits with 10 points.
