Northeast Sting Hoops Club
Sting 8th Grade Roantree Make Successful Run at AAU Nationals
The Northeast Sting 8th Grade Roantree team accepted a bid to compete at AAU Nationals in Orlando, FL in July for a chance to compete against teams across the country. The team competed at the Division II level and had a great experience, making it all the way to the Sweet 16 in the Championship Bracket.
In the 1st game of pool play, the Sting took on a long athletic Texas Impact team from Arlington, Texas. The team got off to a slow start taking a 5-point lead into half time. After finally getting their feet underneath of them after enjoying 2 days down in Florida, they outscored Texas Impact 23-11 in the third quarter to take a commanding 17 point lead into the 4th quarter and finished the game with a 62-48 win. Leading a balanced attack where everybody scored and contributed was Dion Harris with 14 and Matt Paulus with 11.
On the 2nd day of pool play, the team would have to play 2 games. In its 1st game of the day, the team headed over to ESPN Wide World of Sports to take on the Derby State Colts from Kentucky. After watching the Colts dominate in their first game the night before (63-31), the team knew they would have to be ready. The Sting got off to a hot start in the 1st quarter to take a 6 point lead with Matt Paulus scoring 14 of the teams 18 points, including 4 threes. Marc Rodriguez picked up where Paulus left off scoring 12 in the second to take a 13-point lead into halftime. The Colts kept it close and made a run in the 4th quarter, but the Sting held on with hot free throw shooting from Collin Gillespie (8-10) to close it out and win 61-54. Gillespie (12), Paulus (21), and Rodriguez (19) dominated the game to score all but 9 of the teams points. With a 2-0 start, the team secured a birth in the Championship Bracket, but still needed to win their 3rd game to gain the pool's 1 seed and win the pool. In its 3rd and final pool play game, the team played Elite Skills Academy from Massachusetts. With a championship bracket bid in hand and a long break in between games, the team came out flat in the first half and carried a 2-point lead into halftime. After the half, the Sting played with a better sense of urgency and extended its lead in the 3rd quarter to 11 and eventually winning the game 69-53. Dion Harris' size and athleticism gave Elite Skills Academy trouble as he led the team with 18 points. The entire team contributed to the victory with everybody scoring in the contest. After going 3-0 and winning their pool, the team received a buy to advance into the 2nd round of the Championship Bracket.
In their first game in the Championship Bracket, the Sting took on a well coached team, World Class Basketball, out of Illinois. The game was a tough defensive battle and close throughout as the Sting took a 6-point halftime lead. They extended their lead to 10 entering the 4th and held on for a 10-point victory 50-40 despite their troubles from the free throw line (7-17). The team was once again led by Paulus and Rodriguez, scoring 16 and 17, respectively. With the win the team advanced to the round o 32 in bracket play and was able to take the rest of the day and evening to enjoy Walt Disney World and have some fun.
In the round of 32, the Sting took on the Cardinals from Virginia. The Cardinals won their pool with an average margin of victory of over 20ppg and were coming off a thrilling last second victory in the their first bracket game. With the Sweet 16 in site, the Sting came out on fire in the first quarter to take a commanding 23-9 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. The Cardinal hung tough and remained competitive to cut the lead to 6 at the end of the half. In the 3rd quarter, they continued to battle and cut the lead to 1 at the end of the third quarter. The Sting pulled it back together in the 4th quarter to pull away and win the game 67-58. Dion Harris once again came up big for the Sting, dominating the paint with 24 points. Paulus and Rodriguez once again played strong with 15 and 14 points respectively, and were supported by Nazhir Wilson's 7 points as well. With the victory, the team was set to play their second game of the day in a Sweet 16 matchup.
In the Sweet 16 matchup, the Sting faced the Arkansas United Soldiers, a long and athletic team out of Arkansas. The team got off to great start jumping out to a 10-point lead. The Soldiers hung tough and battled back for a 1 point 1st quarter lead. In the 2nd quarter, the game was extremely hard fought. After tempers flared and a technical foul was issued against the Sting, the Soldiers extended a 5-point lead with a 14-0 run in the last 3 minutes of the half to extend the lead to 19. The Sting continued to compete in the 3rd quarter cutting the deficit to 9 points after the 3rd. In the 4th quarter, the team continued their run with excellent defense and great shooting. The Sting cut the lead to 3 with a chance to tie the game with under 30 seconds to go, but came up just short. The Sting’s National Run came up short in the Sweet 16 with 78-73 loss. The team was led once again by Paulus, Rodriguez, and Gillespie. Paulus exploded for 29 points, while Rodriguez and Gillespie scored 19 and 18 respectively.
The Coaches would like to thank the parents and players for a great year and a great run. Nationals were a great experience for everybody and there was a lot of planning and preparation involved to get there and have a successful trip.
Sting Wrap up the Season in Strong Fashion at South Jersey Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ.
All teams wrapped up their season over the weekend in competitive fashion down in Wildwood, NJ for South Jersey Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk. The organization finished with a winning record and place 3 teams in the Championship Game.
The 5th grade team wrapped up their season with a 2-1 record, winning their pool with a 2-0 performance against the SJ Soldiers and JKMBA. on Saturday. The team advanced to the semi-final game against the Mid-Jersey Mavericks where it came up short in a tough game. In their 1st season together playing on the AAU circuit, the team came away with a good experience. They went 9-12 overall, with 2 of those losses coming in Championship Game losses. Congratulations on the successful first season!!
The 6th grade team had another successful tournament looking to win back to back championships after winning Rock the Rim. The team went 3-0 to win their pool, defeating LB Lightning, the Renegades, and the SJ Cannons. They continued their success in the semi-final game defeating the Perkasie Knights. In the champiomship game, the team played tough, but came up short against the South Jersey Jazz. In their first year together, the team had tremendous success. They appeared in the championship 4 out of 6 tournament appearances, winning 3 overall, and went 16-9 on the year.
The 7th grade team looked to rebound after a tough loss at the Keystone Blazers summer classic to win their first championship of the season. The team wnet 2-0 on Saturday with victories over the South Jersey Cyclones and Downtown Dawgs to win their pool and advance to the semi-final game. In the semi-final game, the team defeated Perkasie in a hard fought game to advance to their 3rd Championship game of the season. In the Championship, the team lost a tough game to the Atlantic City Starz, last years defending champions. On the year, the team went 14-8, with 3 of their losses coming in Championship games.
8th Grade Hasher looked to end the season on a winning note, after losing in the semi-finals at Rock the Rim. On Saturday, the team went 2-0, beating CB Thunder and battling back to beat Perkasie Knights, to win their pool and advance to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinal matchup, the team once again took on 8th Grade Roantree, but fell short in an extremely hard fought and competitive game. The team had a successful campaign as they went 12-8 on the year, including a Championship Game appearance.
8th Grade Roantree looked to defend last years title after coming up short at it's appearances at MIT and Rock the Rim. The team went 3-0 in pool play, including a thrilling 4 point victory over the Atlantic City Starz in it's second game on Saturday, to advance out of pool play and into the quarterfinals. The team defeated 8th Grade Hasher in a tough and competitive game in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals, the team played the West Chester Defenders out of New York, the team it defeated last year to win the title. In a back and forth game, the team closed strong and held on to win down the stretch to advance to the Championship. In it's 4th game of the day, the team looked to avenge it's loss at Rock the Rim to SJ Jazz Legler. The team came out strong to capture an 8 point lead at the half, but couldn't overcome fatigue and injuries in the 2nd half to lose down the stretch. Overall, the team, has had a very successful season, appearing in some tough tournaments, to go 26-7 on the year, including 4 championship game appearance, with a win in only 1 of them. The team will compete in it's final tournament of the year in Orlando, FL at the AAU National Division II Tournament starting on July 12. You can follow the results at http://aauboysbasketball.org/Default.aspx?TabID=34029. Good Luck and Enjoy the Experience !!
9th Grade Miller looked to rebound from their Championship Loss at Rock the Rim, and started out the tournament strong. The team went 3-0 in pool play, winning in dominating fashion against the Rengades, LVBS, and Perkasie Knights to advance out of their pool and into the semi-final game. In the semi-final game, the team battled back against a good Renegades team, however, could not hang on, suffering a tough loss in overtime to finish the season. Overall, the team went 15-5 on the year, with 2 championship game appearances, including 1 victory.
9th Grade Luciano looked to come away with it's 2nd championship of the season and defend last years title. The team opened up 1-1 on Saturday, with a tough loss to CMC Elite, but advance to the quarterfinal match-up where it won to advance to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, it's third game of the day, the team fell short against a very good South Jersey Jazz team. The team had another succesfful year, appearing in 2 Championship Games, winning 1, to go 19-9 on the year.
The organization had a very successful campaign for the 2nd straight year. The organiztion appeared in 18 championship games, coming away with 6 victories and 12 runner up finishes. Overall, the organization, went 117-65 on the year, winning over 60% of it's games. We would like to thank all of the coaches for their hard work and dedication. We would also like to thank the parents and players for their countless hours of practice, travel time, and support. Good luck to all players as they continue to prepare for their school seasons!!!
June 8/9th Weekend Wrap-Up from Keystone Blazers Summer Classic and Maryland Invitational Tournament
Four teams competed over the weekend in the Keystone Blazers Summer Classic and the Maryland Invitational Tournament.
The 7th grade team along with Coach Luciano's 9th and 11th grade teams competed locally at the Keyston Blazers tournament.
In the 7th grade division, the team went 2-0 on Saturday, beating ISAA 43-34 and the NYC Wizards 46-32 to advance to the semi-final round on Sunday. On Sunday, the team faced a tough NJ Gym Ratz Team and suffered a 1 point loss in Overtime after jumping out to a 9 point lead at halftime to finish the weekend at 2-1.
9th Grade Luciano looked to continue their momentum from the Rock the Rim Championship and defend last years Summer Classic Championship. The team opened up with a 6 point victory over ISAA in the morning. In the second game of the day, they battled the Maryland Mavericks and came up short, losing 47-44. In their 3rd game, the team played the NJ Gym Ratz. They jumped out to a 24 point lead in the first half and held on for a 3 point victory, going 2-1 in pool play. With 3 teams in their pool going 2-1, the team lost the tie breaker to advance to the Championship Round on total points.
The 11th grade team continued to play short handed, going 0-3 on the weekend, including a tough 3 point loss to the Sharon Knights to open the tournament.
After appearing in their 3rd championship of the season, 8th Grade Roantree headed down to the Washington DC area to compete in the Maryland Invitational Tournament against some of the best teams up and down the east coast. In their pool play opener, the team defeated a historically good King Street Kings program by 16 points. In their 2nd and final game of the day, the team took on Baltimore Supreme. After giving up a 12 point halftime lead to trail by 2, the team battled back and sealed the victory with a 9-0 run and held on to win by 5, winning their pool and advancing to the Gold Bracket in pool play. On Sunday morning, the team took on the Virginia All Stars, who won all of their pool play and their 1st round bracket game by double digit points. In a back an forth game, the team battled through foul trouble, but came up short losing 74-68. Overall, it was a good experience for the team in their first large exposure tournament.
All teams are preparing for their final tournament of the year on the weekend of June 22/23 down in Wildwood at the SJ Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk tournament..
Sting Complete Another Successful Weekend at Rock the Rim Taking Home 2 Championships and 2 Runner-Up Finishes
All 8 teams competed in the same tournament for just the 2nd time all season with a strong showing at the South Jersey Jazz's Rock the Rim Tournament.
The 5th grade team played in an extremely tough pool grouping and went winless for the first time all year, going 0-3 on the weekend playing against talented teams like the Malvern Legends, Elite Basketball Academy, and Berks Warriors. The team will look to close out a strong first season together in Wildowood at the South Jersey Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk on the weekend of June 22.
The 6th Grade team got back on track after going 1-5 in their previous 2 tournaments and won their 3rd tournament Championship of the year, going 3-0 over the weekend, including a dominating double didget Championship win over the Perkasie Knights, a team that defeated them twice already on the year. The 6th grade team will look for their 4th and final championship of the year as they conclude their season at the South Jersey Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk on the weekend of June 22.
The 7th grade team continued to play well in King of Prussia, going 2-1 on the weekend in a very tough pool. In their first game, they showed heart and toughness in defeating a Rebels teams that was extrmely talented and bigger by 12 and breezed past the Renegades to go 2-0 on Saturday. On Sunday, they ran into a tough JKMBA team. The three top teams all went 2-1 on the weekend, but the team did not advance out of pool as a result of tie breakers. They look to continue their solid play this weekend at the Keystone Blazers Summer Classic.
In the 8th grade division, both teams, 8th Grade Hasher and Roantree, competed in the same tournament for the 2nd time this year. 8th Grade Haser went 2-1 in pool play, including a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer on Saturday to the South Jersey Jazz. Despite the loss, the team won their pool by virtue of a head to head victory over the Lower Buck Lightning to advance to the semi-finals. 8th Grade Roantree went 3-0 in pool play in dominating fashion, winning by over 30ppg in all 3 games. The team gained the #2 seed due to points against and advanced to the semi-final game to play 8th grade Hasher for the 1st time all year in tournament play. In the matchup, it was a close game throughout. 8th Grade Roantree used a run in the beginning of the 2nd half to pull away for the victory and advance to the Championship against a very good SJ Jersey Jazz team coached by Tim Legler. The game was a physical back and forth game throughout and 8th Grade Roantree came up short down the stretch, losing by 8 for their 2nd Runner-Up finish this year. 8th Grade Hasher will next compete in their final tournament of the year at SJ Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk in Wildwood. 8th Grade Roantree will test itself against some of the best teams throughout the country as they head to the prestigious Maryland Invitational Tournament hosted by Five Star Basketball in Washington DC this weekend.
In the 9th Grade division, Coach Luciano and Coach Miller's teams squared off in the Championship for the 3rd straight year. In pool play, both teams dominated their competiion, winning each game by over 20 ppg. In the Championship, both teams competed hard against each other, as both were missing key players due to high school obligations. Coach Miller's team jumped out to a half time lead, but for the 3rd consecutive year, Coach Luciano's team battled back and won by 12, 49-37 to become 3 time defending Champions at the event. Congratulations to Coach Luciano's team on their 1st Championship of the season. They will look to defend their title from last year at the Keystone Blazer's Summer Classic this weekend. Coach Miller's team will be back in action to close out their year at the SJ Jazz Battle of the Boardwalk in Wildwood on the weekend of June 22nd.
The 11th grade team finished under .500 for the second consecutive tournament as they battled tough competition in their pool. The team went 1-2 on the weekend, winning their final game on Sunday v. 3rd Degree. The team will compete this weekend in the Keystone Blazers Summer Classic.
Overall, the organization had great success with a 17-10 overall record at the tournament, pushing the organizations total record to 83-51. With its 2 Championship victorys, the organization pushed its total Championships to 6 on the year. Good Luck to everybody competing this weekend!
Sting Have Another Winning Weekend as 8th Grade Roantree Wins Championship at Penn Jersey Stockton Classic
7 of the 8 teams competed in 2 different tournaments over the weekend. 3 teams competed in the Keystone Blazers PA Jam Fest, while 4 others competed in Penn Jersey's Stockton Classic.
At the PA Jam Fest, 6th Grade, 8th Grade Hasher, and 9th Grade Miller battled teams from up and down the East Coast.
The 6th grade team opened pool play with 2 tough losses by a combined 9 points, including a 2 point loss to TYA. On Sunday, they battled back and showed some pride defeating Coaching victory by 10. The team is now 9-8 at the midway point, with 2 championships. They will look to get back on track in their winning ways at KOP in the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament.
8th Grade Hasher had another successful weekend at the PA Jam Fest. The team went 2-0 in pool play to win their pool and advance to the quarterfinals, where they ran into some tough competition against the Maryland Rebels. The team went 2-1 on the weekend to improve their record to 8-5 on the year, including a championship appearance. They look to continue their success at KOP in the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament.
9th grade Miller looked to build upon its momentum from their last tournament appearance where they took home the crown. The team continued its winning ways by going 3-0 in pool play, including a thrilling sudden death overtime victory against the TP Panthers. In the semi-finals, the team fought hard, but came up short losing by 5 in a hard fought game. The team has had a great season at the midway point, finishing with a winning record in every tournament with a championship game victory. The team stands at 11-3 and will look to improve their record at KOP in the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament.
At Stockton, the 5th, 8th Roantree, 9th Luciano, and 11th grade teams all competed against some good competition.
The 5th grade team, off a couple of weeks rest, came out stong winning their 1st 2 games in pool play. In their 3rd game, the team had a tough competitive back and forth game against the South Jersey Jazz, but came up a little short in their quest to win their first tournament of the year. The young team is having a successful year in their first go-around at the AAU level with a 7-8 record, with 2 of their losses coming in Championship Game appearances. The team will look to get over the .500 mark at KOP in the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament.
8th Grade Roantree finally put a complete tournament together and won their 1st Championship of the Season after a couple of heartbreaking defeats earlier in the year. The team went 3-0 in pool play winning by over 25ppg. In the semi-finals, they faced the South Jersey Blitz, winner of their pool, and pulled away in the 2nd half for a 15 point win. In the Championship Game, the team played the Atlantic City Starz, winners of 2 previous Penn Jersey tournaments. The team battled from a halftime deficit to win the Championship by 8 to go 5-0 on the weekend and improve their record to 15-4 on the season, with a Championship and Runner-Up finish. They will look to win their 2nd tournament at KOP in the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament.
9th Grade Luciano looked to build upon their success of finishing 7th at the District Qualifiers and went 3-0 in pool play. The team pulled away in the second half of their first game and didn't look back, winning all 3 games by over 20ppg. In the Championship game on Sunday, the team played Hank Gathers Elite and battled throughout the game. In a back and forth game, the team came up short at the end to finish runners-up of the tournament. They went 3-1 on the weekend to improve their record to 11-6 on the year and will look to defend their title from last year at the Keystone Blazers Summer Classic on the weekend of June 8/9.
11th grade looked to get over the hump of 2 runner up finishes in their 1st 2 tournaments at Stockton, but were short handed throughout the weekend. The team competed against some quality competition, but could not breakthrough and went 0-3 for the first time all year, dropping their record to 5-7 with 2 of those losses coming in Championship game appearances. They look to get back on the winning track at KOP in the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament.
The organization has had great success at the half way point of the year. The overall record is 66-41, a +60% winning percentage, appearing in 13 tournament championship games, coming away with 4 victories. Good luck to all teams and their continued success as they prepare for the SJ Jazz Rock the Rim Tournament at KOP. All teams will be participating in the tournament for the 2nd time this year.
9th Grade Miller wins SJ Jazz Rowan Classic; 8th Grade Roantree and 9th Grade Luciano Place in District Top 10 and Earn National Bids
