RE-CAP OF DIVISION III AAU NATIONALS
Team Dennis & Team Austin
June 30-July 3
Tournament play began and Team Dennis had a bye in the first round. Team Austin played a very talented team in Monroe County All-stars from NI. The game went back in forth, but Team Austin pulled it out 62-58. It was an exciting game until the finish. On to the second round where they play Rockville. The same team Team Dennis played in pool play. Team Austin handled them pretty well with a 57-44 victory. Team Austin is now in the quarter-finals. They faced a tough test in the North Carolina Blazers. Their toughest test yet, and they were ready. TA was up the entire game and looking very good. The lead got to 7 points at one time, but then all of a sudden with 4 minutes to go, Team Austin gave up four offensive rebounds per possession and the Blazers took the lead. With time running out and Team Austin missing shots, the lead extended and Team Austin lost 67-60. What a very disappointing loss, especially since they were winning the entire game and had them beat. Great job and congrats to Coach Austin and his team for an awesome effort and literally leaving everything on the court.
For Team Dennis, they opened up the second round playing Gainesville from VA, the same team Team Austin played in pool play, and they beat them 85-50. I think the point was made that they were serious about winning the title. Great effort from Malik Bocook, Drew Mellen, and Case Chamblin. The Quarterfinal game brought on Seven Cities Elite from VA, and everyone was expecting a showdown. It ended up being a show-out. Team Dennis took a team that was on a roll and made them feel mortal again by beating them 68-48. They got great play from Rael Windley, Dana Coffman, and David Dennis Jr. On to the final four, which is the furthest any team has been from the WGGBA organization in the nationals. Team Dennis was playing the NC Blazers that just beat Team Austin in the quarters. This game was down and dirty. Team Dennis was losing at the half, 30-28. They couldn't find a way to score and had tons of turnovers. Coach Dennis gave them some halftime words and they came out after halftime and turned it on. Drew, Malick, and Rael controlled the boards and blocked everything that came their way. They also found a way to score, by outscoring them 21-6 in the third quarter. From there, it was coast city and Team Dennis wrapped things up with a 62-47 victory. It was a nice challenge for Team Dennis. It made them mentally tougher. Next was the finals against ERSC Blazers from VA, who just been upsetting teams and on a roll. They were no match for a team whose goals were to win the title this year. And now that they were so close, they didn't want to mess things up. Team Dennis was up 16 at halftime. Every time the Blazers tried to make a run, Team Dennis answered with their own. There wasn't a player who wasn't hitting. It was a highlight waiting to happen.
Finally, Coach Dennis and his team got and earned the National Championship that they are so coveted to have. They are National Champions and so excited about having the title. The team and coaching staff have worked so hard to get to this point, and WE finally achieved the title.
PHOTOS
