Hello, I'm here to report on the results of our closing season. This is our best season comparing to last year; I know I have mentioned this before. Anyways, I am here to report on our performance at ESDAA and Massachusetts Bay Independent League (MBIL) tournaments. We won both titles. We did the best out of our game to win with our hearts.
While flying to St. Mary School for the Deaf (SMSD), our hearts were beating so hard because we really wanted to win the title once again. Specifically because it is at SMSD; they won their title at our home against us. In the championship game; it was very depressing game for us. Now, we really wanted to win the title against SMSD at their home. We worked with our heart through out the whole weekend. As what our coach mentioned, they didn't think we would win the title from SMSD before getting to the tournament, because SMSD had the title for two years in a row. So the tournament was basically up to our hard working attitudes.
Our first game against New York State School for the Deaf (NYSSD) was a really good start for us; it was like a warm up for us. We were preparing to know the gym. We led the game by around 15 points. We won the game 55 to 48. As we prepare for the game ahead of us, we studied SMSD's game against Austine.
Before our game against Rhode Island School for the Deaf, we were expecting it to be very competitive game because it would be our third game against each other. One during Tip-Off Tournament at Austine School for the Deaf, and one during the regular season at their home court. Anyways, we discussed their strengths and weakness. During the game, it was really a shock for us; we started off really good. We started the game with 10 points ahead of them. At the halftime game we were around 20 point ahead. For the rest of the game, we let our benchwarmers to play for the rest of the game, and we ended the game with the score 74 to 21. It was very exciting for us, because it was semi-finals and we were entering the championship game against SMSD once again. Again, we studied SMSD's game against Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD) to be more prepared for the championship game.
In the morning of the championship game day, we won the title of Team 21 competition. After that, we had a long day of waiting for the championship game; our game was at 7:30pm. It was really boring for us, many of us took a really short nap to keep our energy up for the day. When the game started, our energy gained. We were really prepared for the game. In the beginning of the game, SMSD led the game by 6 points. Our defense was man-to-man, because during their game against SSSD, they choked during man-to-man defense. Unfortunately it didn't work. We changed to our special zone defense, and it worked, our coach had to leave it that way. By the end of the half time, we led the game by one point, 24-23. Our spirit of the game rose. It was very exciting game for us. In the beginning of the second half, we led the game by 10 points and led for the rest of the game. One of our players, Justin Carrus (Junior) was trapped by one of their main player, Michael Lumley, but it didn't stop us. During the game, Ben Letendre (Sophomore), played really smart, he controlled the game very well. Timothy Irvin (Sophomore) made several good rebounds, including Jonathan Salomon (Junior). Wilson Velez and Justin Carrus was the leading scorer. In results, we won 55 to 47. As we can see, it was very depressing game for them.
Three of our players received All-Star awards. Justin Carrus and Wilson Velez got First Team All-Star awards, and Ben Letendre got his award in the Second Team. They felt very proud of their achievements.
After our semi-final game against Waldorf of Massachusetts Bay, we won 63-55. It was very competitive game for us.
We ended season with big victory over Boston University Academy. We led in the first half with 27 to 14. BUA came back to six in the beginning of second half with their half court defense. We changed our offense and put great defense pressure with full court. It worked and put the game away easily. We finished with score of 49 to 29. Ben Letendre was the leading scorer in this game. He made 16 points. Jon Salomon, junior scored 6 points but he made 15 rebounds. Tim Irvin played with 8 rebounds while Wilson Velez (Junior) had 13 points.
We are expecting to have a much better season next year. We have only one senior departing, Giuseppe Giacubbo. It wont hurt us that much. He was unable to attend to ESDAA because of his academic reasons. We feel that we will be much stronger team next year. We are looking forward to it. In results of our final record, it is 19 wins and 4 losses.
TLC girls made their first loss against Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD). They lost 35 to 50. It was very depressing game for them, because four seniors, Desiree West, Danielle Sprague, Natalia Zalewska and Erin Barry, are departing. But they made up their loss by winning the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Division D championship game against Chase Collegiate from Waterbury, CT with the score of 43 to 35. They were recorded by the media and went on television on the date of February 28th, Thursday. Their final record is 28 wins and 1 loss.
So, I have to say; this season is probably the best season TLC ever had.
I'll be coming back to report on TLC's basketball teams next year.
Thanks,
JT Hathaway