McLean B10-1 Team Wins Summer League B10-1 Title

McLean Select Basketball

2010 Summer League
McLean 10U Green Wins B10-1 Championship

The 10U-1 boys McLean Green team began its first summer league season not knowing what to expect for although most players had faced each other in 4th grade house league few had played together.  So when coaches Ryan Bosch, Kevin Camphausen, and Patrick Valentine assembled the team for their first game and saw the opponent was an experienced AAU team they told their enthusiastic but green crew, "Press full court, steal the ball, and go to the hoop."  Okay, so John Wooden protégés they aren't, but they knew this group could run so those words became the team's mantra. 

Led by the squad's newest addition, swingman Zach Johnson, the team frustrated its first opponent with defensive pressure and won by a whisker.  The ensuing games showed an ever evolving transition offense spurred by guards Eli Thrasher, Stevo Yeonas, Carter Bosch, and Michael Valentine, as they fed the ball to forwards Will Mulquin, Pierce Gallo, and Carter Johnson. 

Opponents began to slow games down with zone defenses but the team responded with an amazing half-court offense led by sharp-shooting forward Kenny Lippman and centers Sean Senft and Dane Camphausen who found seams for open shots.  The team's momentum grew each week no matter who was on vacation, playing in an all-star game, or suffering from injury. 

McLean Green earned a first round bye in the tournament and then ran its second round opponent off the court by over 30 points.  The lopsided affair was driven by Kenny Lippman's hot hand, Zach Johnson's suffocating defense, Eli Thrasher's magical ball handling, and Will Mulquin's all around game. 

The team knew the championship game would not be as easy since they were facing the formidable AAU opponent they had barely beat in their first game of the season.  But the fans turned out in force to witness Carter Bosch and Pierce Gallo sparking the team from tipoff and helping McLean Green run off with the lead. 

The opponent battled back to take the lead but Dane Camphausen stood tall in the post against the onslaught and the team retook the lead.  The championship came down to the last minute as McLean Green clung to a two point lead.  Parents on both sides were screaming and cheering as shots twirled in and out. 

With less than 20 seconds to play, and their opponent rushing the ball down the court to attempt a game-tieing basket, Michael Valentine stole the ball and fed a streaking Sean Senft for a lay-up and insurmountable 4 point lead.  The McLean portion of the crowd went crazy for their resourceful band of young brothers.  The championship was theirs.



Last updated:  August 10, 2010.