Known as the "qualifier," all the sixth-grade teams representing Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware realize the tournament at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., is their one chance to receive a national ranking and advance to the national tournament in Virginia Beach, Va.
The Pennsylvania Red Storm opened up the tournament against the South Jersey Jazz. During the first half, the Storm tried a number of zone defenses, but the Jazz team seemed to pass well out of pressure and capitalize on the scams.
With only a two-point lead at half-time, the Storm played the second half mostly man-to-man defensively and kept the South Jersey Jazz to only nine points in the second half.
The Storm was led by shooting guard Danny DelConte with 30 points in the game and small forward Mike McClure with seven points. D.J. Johnston’s ability to be strong enough to guard the forwards and quick enough to handle the guards made him invaluable. This 15-point win advanced the Pennsylvania team to the second round of the tournament.
On the following day, the Storm faced the Metropolitan Rockets, a team with a decided height advantage. Since the Rockets only had a seven-man roster, the Storm’s full-court defense was applied early and often by point guard Dan Stampone with six points and shooting guard Sean Scott with 22 points.
With a 10-point lead at half-time, the power forwards, Tyler Rutter, with four points, and Fran Brzyski, with two points, controlled the board, bringing the Storm to its second 15-point victory and advancing it through the tournament.
In the following game, the Storm faced the Susquehanna Valley All-Stars, a team that eliminated the "senior" Storm from the tournament just two weeks earlier. The ball pressure and ball-handling abilities of guards Nick Gill, Zack Davis and Chris Franey, with four points, kept the Susquehanna team in check and, with a 47-43 win, the Storm secured the bronze medal and advanced to national play in Virginia Beach.
The inside presence and textbook post moves by Chris Kurz, with seven points, made this a true team victory.
Follow the Storm at www.stormbasketbalf.com.
