Columbus Day Challenge Champions

October 11, 2009 New England Hoop News Staff

BasketBull's Columbus Day Challenge tournament came to a conclusion today with Expressions Elite barely missing a high school sweep. Champions were crowned in age groups 12u through OPEN, with championship games being played at the Hall of Fame in the 12u, 13u, 14u, 15u, and 16u age groups.

New York teams dominated the younger divisions with the 12u championship taken home by Team Underrated, out of Long Island, 64-43 against the Montabello Warriors. The 13u chip went to the Connecticut Basketball Club with Jarid South and KeAndre Fair both chipping in 12 points in the win over the Montabello Warriors out of Queens, New York. The 14u involved two more New York teams as a heated rivalry continued between Team Scan and Team Underrated. Underrated came away with their second championship, 71-58.

In the older divisions, New England teams battled it out. The 15u champions, Expressions Elite, took down the BABC, 66-62. The championship game went back and forth the entire way with big plays being made on both sides. Kahlil Dukes, a 5'10 freshman out of Capital Prep in Hartford, Connecticut, shined for Expressions connecting on six 3-pointers, on his way to 28 points. Equally impressive for the BABC was Rene Castro who couldn't be contained attacking the rim. The 6'3 slahser finished with 29 points.

The 16u title was taken home by the Connecticut Knights as they knocked off the Expressions Elite, 71-66. Tylon Smith led the winners with 20 points and scored some key baskets down the stretch. Although the 16s couldn't pull off the sweep for Expressions, the 17u scored a nice win over the New England Playaz in the championship game. Ricardo Ledo led the way for Expressions scoring in a variety of ways and finishing with 24 points. The 6'4 silky smooth lefty made big play after big play. Tyler Strange did a superb job defensively on Shabazz Napier, who was playing, once again, with the New England Playaz.

The Open Division title went to the SECC All-Stars as they ran away with a 20 point victory over MBR out of Maine. SECC was led by Ellis Cooper, Dan Martin, and Robbie Burke as they scored big wins over the Connecticut Basketball Club and Bay State Magic throughout the weekend.

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Columbus Day Challenge Champions

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