Today the 14U BLAZE ELITE BOYS team captured their first title of the season in the 2012 BELMAR HOOP SPLASH TOURNAMENT after 2 consecutive runner-up finishes earlier in the year. The team, coached by Michael Snell and Assistant Martin Mihaly got off to a slow start dropping a 5 point decision to the Brooklyn Patriots Saturday morning before bouncing back with 2 wins against the NJ Shore Stars and the NJ Warriors basketball programs later in the afternoon. Finishing the preliminary round 2-1, the BLAZE secured a rematch in the FINALS with the 3-0 Patriots.
The low scoring physical affair ended in a 36 all tie and headed to overtime. The teams traded foul shots in the 1 minute extra session, each going 1 for 2 at the stripe. With time running out power forward, John Suozzo picked up a loose ball and calmly drained a 15 ft. foul line jumper as the horn sounded, giving our 14U BLAZE ELITE team the title. CONGRATS GUYS AND COACHES...JOB WELL DONE!
Pictured left to right: Matt Coppola, John Suozzo, Tito Ramirez, Co-Captain Sahil Bhandiri, Coach Michael Snell, Charles Herrmann, Coach Martin Mihaly, Co-Captain Brandon Garcia
