CKaTT News

July 22, 2008.  Congratulation to the CKaTT Junior/Senior team who were successful in the US Nationals Tournament held in Erie, PA during the Independence Day Weekend (July 4-6).

The Team traveled with only 7 players. As it turned out, they were very focused and determined to compete against the other teams who were successful in their own right. The team started out slow against the strong and eventual undefeated pool winner, Team 1st from Akron Ohio who had a tall, strong and physical front line players and a few quick athletic and strong guards. However, it was the CKaTT team who entertained the onlookers with their athleticism and shooting by throwing down several dunks and were able to match the shooting of the other team. Unfortunately, CKaTT were out gunned in the final 2 minutes of the opening game and conceded 56 to 42.

Later that afternoon, CKaTT was victorious against another good and well coached team, Washington Warriors. At this time CKaTT was able to shake off the earlier loss and put in another strong performance. The new look CKaTTs were beginning to gel quickly again and defeated Washington, 81-75. As fatigue set in from playing arguably the two top teams in the tournament, CKaTT faced Courtrunners (Pittsburgh, PA) and lost 75-61 the obvious signs of fatigue resulted in a flat and sloppy performance.

On the second day of the tournament after an evening of rest, the CKaTTs rebounded with their most dominating performance of the year by defeating the OHIO Nets by 53 pts and at the same time showing class and respect to the other team and to the tournament itself. An All-star performance was put in by Tyler Anderson who poured in 30 points by way of a staggering '7' three pointers! one incredible dunk and a pair of free throws. Tyler left his mark on that game since he was to depart the tournament for another commitment.

The final pool play game was a crucial test for the CKaTT team since it dropped its two previous games, CKaTT had to win with a large margin in order to remain in the running for the finals. CKaTT was successful in defeating Air Attack (Ohio) 58-37, but not without some drama? CKaTT had to rely on the outcome of another game to be in the final.

The result of that thrilling game which saw Team 1st defeated Washington Warriors in the dying minutes of the game secured a rematch with Team 1st. However, CKaTT were now down to 6 players for the finals after the departure of Tyler Anderson. Right at the tip off, CKaTT was seemingly in control of the game. Kareem Malcolm went straight to work torching the opponent with his shooting and driving to the basket. Key baskets and strong rebounding by Jason Robinson and Byron Trench respectively, secured the lead for CKaTT who never looked back.

In the second half, Trevor Williams took over where Kareem left off netting 12 points. A continuous substitution on a single player was necessary to rest players in one minute intervals, this was key for the win and give the coaching staff credit for this strategy. The end result was arguably the most thrilling and rewarding win for the Junior/Senior team. All 6 players contributed to the win and equally share in the thrill of this victory.

Here are some notable stats from the game:

Trevor Williams 18 pts. (12 in 2nd half) 1 steal, 2 rebounds

Jahmal McQueen 9 pts. 6 rebounds, 1 block

Kareem Malcolm 15 pts. (14 in 1st half), 5 rebounds

Byron Trench 8 pts. and a impressive 12 rebounds and 3 block shots

Mohammed Sheik, key tip in and defensive stops.

Jason Robinson, Most improved, had some key baskets and held the opponents big man in both games while giving up several inches in height.

Tyler Anderson 30 pts. (7 three pointers in game 4)