The Edge 12u team started their season off with a bang going 4-0 on Saturday to earn themselves a spot in the championship game on Sunday. The 4 victories included a thrilling double overtime win against a very talented Ramapo team.
In the first game vs the Rockland Rockets, the Edge faced two 6 footers and played tenacious defense at the perimeter and virtually neutralized the Rocket’s inside game with physical and fundamental low post defense. Up by one point with 3 seconds remaining, the Edge with possession of the ball was intentionally fouled. After two missed three throws, the Edge retained possession as part of the intentional foul violation. David Verdis inbounded the ball to Nick Cuccia who was also fouled. Cuccia made both free throws to put them up by 3. A last second desperation shot by the Rockets fell short, and the Edge secured the win.
In the second game, the Edge built a ten point lead vs. the Ramapo Tigers with 8 minutes to go. But the Tigers came storming back to go up by one with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Cuccia was fouled as he drove to the basket and released the ball as time expired, sending him to the foul line for two free throws. He made the first but the second fell short sending the game into the first overtime. After three minutes of solid play, the Edge and the Tigers ended the first overtime locked in a tie. In the second overtime, the Edge defense took control with their perimeter pressure that lead to transition points. The win secured the number one seed with still a game remaining. “It’s a great experience for Nick and the rest of the team to be in that position,” said Coach Santoro. “I would rather lose in double overtime with a strong effort rather than win by 30 points,” he added. But winning in overtime is sure better than losing. “Of course I would obviously rather win. But the point is that I was proud of all of the kids, the way they played and the way they kept their composure in difficult situations. It’s an experience that will help them as they grow older,” he said.
The Edge totally dominated the third game, easily defeating the Rockland Royals by a score of 56-6, setting up a rematch against the Royals in the final game of the evening…..which was also the first round of the playoffs with the number 1 seed playing the number 4 seed. In that game, the Edge once again easily defeated the Royals 50-17, sending the Edge into the championship game on Sunday at 2:50pm.
In other action, the 11u lost their only game of the day but played very well at both ends of the court. Coach Peek was especially proud of how his team performed. “It was our first game of the year and for most of these kids, their first AAU experience,” said Coach Peek. “We now know what we have to focus on in practice,” he added. The rest of the 11’s tournament was canceled due to some last minute team withdrawals. Another tournament will be scheduled in the near future for the 11’s as a replacement
The 13u’s and 14u’s went winless in their games against very physical and talented Rockland teams, while the 15u’s split their two games.
The 17u’s, playing in the highly completive Jam Fest in Providence, Rhode Island, dropped both of their games today, eliminating them from playoff contention. They will play in the consolation game on Sunday.
