By The TimesLedger
Two major events happened for the 14U boys basketball team, the Bayside Titans, within the last month. The Titans qualified for a chance to play in the 2002 AAU Division II National Championship in Florida on April 21, and Steven Prudente was named the winner of the Yes, Inc. Academic Achievement award for the Prostyle 2K2 Tournament in the Bronx, beating out more than 900 kids for the award on Saturday, May 11.
The AAU Metropolitan Regional held at Island Gardens in West Hempstead started off less than ideal for the Bayside team. Playing in pool No. 5 in the tournament, consisting of teams from Harlem, Long Island and Westchester, the Bayside Titans finished in a tie for first place and advanced to the sweet 16, where their opponent was the strong NY Raven Team from the Bronx.
The Titans pulled of a major upset and beat the Ravens in overtime to advance to the elite eight and a chance to play the top-seeded New York Gauchos. The mighty Gauchos were too much for the upset-minded Titans and knocked the Titans out of the tournament. Even the defeat at the hands of one of the best programs in the country could not diminish the accomplishment or enthusiasm for the young Bayside Titans.
In only their first AAU Regional Qualifier this team of local Bayside players competed against most of the major programs in the city with the top athletes and made all of Bayside proud by representing their community and gaining a spot in the AAU Division II National Championships, where they will get a chance to play against some of the best basketball teams in the country.
For more information on the Bayside Titans Basketball teams you can send your e-mails to BaysideTitans@aol.com or visit their web site at www.eteamz.com/baysidetitans.
