by Michael Giacomelli
This past weekend Triple Threat Basketball took 10 teams to compete in the annual March Madness in Redding. More than 90 kids from Susanville played a total 48 games. This is a very competitive tournament that had teams from all over the North State and Southern Oregon.
Triple Threat met this challenge battling in every bracket. What an awesome group of kids we have playing for Triple Threat. They played like champions on and off the floor.
Triple Threat brought home two championships on the weekend. The 5th grade girls coached by Mark Nareau competed in their first ever AAU Tourney. Game one 61-21 over Nor Cal Heat, second game was 26-21 over the Tehama Thunder and the third game 21-15 over Anderson Heat.
Coach Nareau said, “All the girls played well and gained confidence and experience.”
7th grade girls coached by Cliff Crosby went undefeated! They got the win against Scott Valley Slam 46-34. Baylee Zahniser put up 16 pts, and Jordan Crosby put up 15, including two 3 pointers.
Game two they defeated the NorCal Heat 60-18, Zahniser had 24 points, while Jordan Crosby and Jane Wengu each had 10.
Win number three was against the Eastside Cougars 55-42. Zahniser had 24 points, and Natalie Nakanishi had 11.
The Championship was against the Blue Devils of Chico. Triple Threat came out on top 59-45, Zahniser scored 39 points and was 85% from the free throw line, while Jane Wengu put up 11. Look at those smiles.
6th girls Coached by Doug Satica, Randy Harlan, and Arian Hart went 2-1 on the weekend with the one loss coming in the last seconds of the game. Coach Satica said, “A very solid 3rd place showing with lots of promise for these girls!”
7th grade Girls Coached by Brett Smith. Had a great weekend placing 3rd winning 2 games and losing 1 game. First game they beat The Force 33 to 15. Game 2 vs the Blue Devils from Chico losing 38 to 39, and game 3 vs. The Norcal Heat winning 38 to 17.
The 8th grade girls took 3rd place in pool play going 2-2 on the weekend, Coached by Mike Giacomelli, Doug Satica & Bryce Giacomelli. These girls worked their butts off all weekend. I was most impressed with how hard they boxed out, at times all the way to the bleachers.
4th Boys Coached By John Wattenburg, Arian Hart and Jason Tow. Played in their first AAU Tourney. Coach Wattenburg said, “It was a great tournament and the kids played hard all weekend.” The 4th boys went 1 and 3 on the weekend and are looking forward to competing at the next tourney.
Our 7th grade Boys, coached by Dana Soares, went 3-1 on the weekend. Game 1 final score winning 37-25. The boys started the game with a steal and kept the momentum going.
Game 2 was a back and forth game Triple Threat making some defensive changes turning things around with several back to back steals to help finish the game off with a 37-28 victory.
Game 3 against Anderson Heat, Triple Threat came out aggressive never looking back and took the win 54-28.
Last game of the tournament was for championship. Triple Threat played a Giant NorCal Venom Team being out sized losing the Championship 63-12 to take second place.
Our 8th grade Boys, Coached by Dan Newton, Rob Robles and Jarret Ellena. 8th grade boys won their game on Sunday against the Tehama Titans. Losing in two close games on Saturday, Coach Newton said, “These young men are starting to play well together.”
The next tournament Triple Threat Basketball will be competing in the Reigning Threes Tourney in Redding on March 25 and 26.
