Weber Spring Fling Championship Round Rundown
Ron Bailey, Publisher
April 23, 2007 - Another Charlie Weber Spring Fling has come and gone, meaning Washington, D.C. was the site once again, of great AAU/travel team action. Following is a report on the tournament’s finals (consisting of two 17u and 16 u brackets), which occurred yesterday at Georgetown’s McDonough Arena:
17 and over
New Jersey Cyclones 40 - D.C. Blue Devils 39
The Cyclones raced to a 20-12 halftime lead by controlling the boards and tempo, and resultantly kept the Blue Devils from playing to their strength – up tempo play, utilizing a heavy rotation of pressuring, active guards.
Not so in the second half, and the score showed it, as the Blue Devils would take the lead 23-22 after junior guard Jasper Williams’ (9 points) fast break layup generated by defensive pressure.
When asked about his team’s change in fortune, the Cyclones’ coach, Mike Cervellino, noted “Their pressure disrupted us” which included causing his team “problems bringing up the ball”.
As such the teams traded the lead, setting up what was easily the most dramatic sequence of the day: Trailing 37-39 after yet another lead change and the clock indicating 36 seconds remained, the Cyclones inbounded the ball, facing tremendous Blue Devil pressure. Guard Noruwa Agho (14 points) would eventually receive the rock just left of the top of the key, take a dribble under duress, rise up off balance, and with 10 seconds to play dropped a nothing-but-net three pointer, giving his team their margin of victory.
“That was a big shot, he’s hit them before” said Cervellino. Agho, a senior, when asked about his heroics smiled, and in an understated manner said “I was just trying to win the game, we didn’t want overtime”.
Senior forward Lamont Stapleton added 14 to the Cyclones’ total, while the Blue Devils also got 11 points from sophomore forward Joston Thomas and six from junior swingman Max Kenyi.
It was a tremendous win for us, said Cyclone coach, Mike Cervellino (front row, right)
16 and under
All Ohio 62 - D.C. Blue Devils 51
All Ohio, coached by George Howard used their size and depth to overpower the Blue Devils, earning a 26-18 lead at intermission, and maintaining approximately a double digit advantage throughout the second half.
“I think the guys played great, considering we came down here spur of the moment”” said Howard afterward.
The Columbus, Ohio-based coach went on to shared “We just kept rotating the big players in an out, to wear them down” when asked if he and his staff did in fact want to exploit that advantage.
Darrin Goodsen’s (17 points) play epitomized All-Ohio’s plan, as the sophomore forward was able to repeatedly get out for fast break opportunities after his team produced stops. This included both a dunk and layup, in the last minute of the game.
Sophomore guard Christian Wright led the Blue Devils with 14 points.
Despite changing their plans this at the last minute to attend, All-Ohio grinded our a championship. That fact made their coach, Mike Howard (right) proud.