Runnin' Red Hurricanes Report 1/7/01By Hurricanes Assistant Coach Ron DePorzio
More Reports - 11/25 | 12/03 | 12/12 | 12/24
1/7/01Happy New Year! It’s a New Year and the Canes continue to tear up all opponents in their path. The Canes won the Blackhawk Tournament but not before they received a few good tests form some adequate competition. However the Canes came together to remain undefeated. They also destroyed Seneca Valley in Section 3 play where they also remain unbeaten.
The Canes had a busy month of December playing 14 of the 24 scheduled games leaving only 10 games left to play in the months of January and the beginning of February. That is the most games played in that month for as long as I can remember and I have been involved since 1994. But the team remained focused on the job they had to do and they went ahead and accomplished their goals. That is one aspect of this team, that not many other teams that came through this program have had. The focus this team displays is a great characteristic this team takes pride in and what pushes them above other teams. And the fact that these kids really work hard and take pride in winning. With all of that combined it makes a good team great and this is the opportunity the players and coaches see in front of them. This team is bigger than the individual and that is a major reason why this team is so successful.
The Canes opened the Blackhawk Tournament with a convincing victory over Kennedy Catholic, who is a good, sound team. The game was tight through the first quarter until Joe Carter hit two three’s and the Canes never looked back. Up next they had a stiff contest with Kiski. Kiski is a good big quick team that plays hard and really knows the game. Kiski ran through the full court press and forced the Canes to play half court defenses. The Canes dug in and played man to man and half court trapped Kiski. Kiski led much of the game but in the fourth quarter the Canes turned up the heat on defense and hit some big shots to pull the win out. A few big free throws and a good defensive play by Hoover Gibson and also good play by Dom Joseph and the rest of the team the Canes came out on top to set up the championship game with highly athletic Beaver Falls. The Canes played well and became the Blackhawk Christmas Champions. Mark DeMonaco was named to the All-tournament team. Marky did not score a point in the championship game and that is a tribute to him and his teammates. He plays his position very well and is not caught up on scoring he just wants to win. That is an example of why this team is so good. Dom Joseph was named Tournament MVP and deservingly so. Dom also in the Beaver Falls game topped the 1000-point mark for his career. When got the 1000th point, the game was stopped and he was presented with the game ball. The players, coaches, and fans congratulated him, but in Dom fashion he quickly gave the ball back to coach Sarandrea and was more concerned with winning the game. That is just another example for team before individual and that will lead to success.
Next up for the Canes is at NA. This is going to be a benchmark game. We will need all of the fan support we can get. So fans get ready to go to NA and cheer your team on because this game is going to be a war.
NOTES: The 9th grade game will be played at 5 pm at NA before the JV game on January 8th.
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