Jensen wins tournament "skills challenge"

On Saturday evening (February 14), any 5th- or 6th-graders on the rosters of the 8 tournament teams were eligible to compete in the tourney’s “skills competition.” A total of 36 players took part.

Players took 3 shots from the left perimeter, 3 from the right perimeter, then they each had 5 foul shots. After all shooters had gone, Binghamton’s Roberto Jensen had posted the best score of the day, converting on 8-for-11.

The runner-up (Hawar Noori) made 7-for-11 and was from the Binghamton Boys & Girls Club, giving Binghamton the sweep. Both boys received nice trophies.

Binghamton Players Participate
in the BX Player Development Camp
During the Winter Break from school, several Binghamton Travel players took part in the week-long player development camp at Davis College. They included: Roberto Jensen, Isiah Turner, Andre Hawkins, Zion Burwell and Nate Gaster. BX is operated by Binghamton High graduate Rob Baxter.

To learn more about this excellent group, their training regimens and any future camps they'll offer in our area, check the BX Web site at: www.bxplayer.com

You can write to BX for additional information at: BXPDG@yahoo.com

5/6 Blue competes in Owego Tournament

On the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, February 14 and 15, the Binghamton 5/6 Blue team played in the 7th annual 2009 Al Reppert Dedication Tournament for 5th and 6th graders. The Binghamton 5/6 squad went 2-2, falling one game shy of the “A Bracket” championship. Binghamton lost both its games to eventual tournament champion Corning.

GAME 1 – Saturday (8 a.m.) In a contest that featured 56 free throws, Binghamton played in foul trouble throughout, eventually seeing Andre Hawkins foul out with 6 minutes left to play. Later, Nate Gaster fouled out, and Nick Snyder played most of the fourth quarter with 4 fouls.

Corning 50, Binghamton 44
Corning-6……….........12 – 11 – 13 – 14 – 50
Binghamton 5/6….....15 – 5 – 10 – 14 – 44

Stats:
* Sarbast Doski: 20 points, 14 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 blocks (4-for-15 on free throws)
* Nicky Snyder: 12 points, 6 rebounds (2-for-2 on free throws)
* Andre Hawkins: 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 1 block (1-for-5 on free throws)
* Nate Gaster: 3 points, 4 rebounds (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 2 points, 3 rebounds
* Nathan Oliva: 1 steal
* Binghamton team free throws: 8-for-24
* Corning team free throws: 16-for-32

GAME 2 – Saturday (10:30 a.m.) Binghamton rebounded well in its second tournament game, but just moments into the second half, lost Sarbast Doski to what appeared to be a severe ankle strain. Doski did not play in the rest of the tournament.

Binghamton 43, Candor 29
Candor 5/6…….......….4 – 8 – 4 – 13 – 29
Binghamton 5/6....…18 – 8 – 11 – 6 – 43

Stats:
* Andre Hawkins: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
* Sarbast Doski: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Nate Gaster: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Nicky Snyder: 2 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks
* Roberto Jensen: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
* Nathan Oliva: 1 point, 3 rebounds (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 3 rebounds
* Anthony Ferranti: 1 rebound
* Zion Burwell: 1 steal

GAME 3 – Saturday (3:30 p.m.) Binghamton 5/6 Blue finished its first day of tourney play with a 48-33 win as Nicky Snyder and Nate Gaster combined underneath for 31 points and 25 rebounds. Playing without Sarbast Doski, Andre Hawkins was asked to find Snyder and Gaster inside, and he did often, using Binghamton’s size advantage throughout.

Binghamton 48, Owego 31
Binghamton 5/6……….14 – 11 – 10 – 13 – 48
Owego 5/6……………..9 – 8 – 5 – 11 – 33

Stats:
* Nicky Snyder: 17 points, 15 rebounds (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Nate Gaster: 14 points, 10 rebounds
* Andre Hawkins: 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals (1-for-4 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block
* Nathan Oliva: 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
* Anthony Ferranti: 2 points
* Roberto Jensen: 1 rebound, 1 steal
* Zion Burwell: 1 steal

GAME 4 – Sunday (3:45 p.m.) Again playing without injured Sarbast Doski, Binghamton entered this game against an all 6th-grade Corning team, playing with 5 of its 7 available players as 5th-graders.

Binghamton trailed 22-12 at halftime and as the fourth quarter got under way, a Corning basket put the lead back at 10 (34-22) before a furious Binghamton comeback nearly stole this one.

A defensive adjustment midway through the third quarter helped. Roberto Jensen entered the game to cover Corning’s Sunday leading scorer, Foster Clark, who had 14 points to that point. With Jensen on Clark for the third and well into the fourth, then with Zion Burwell taking over on Clark, Corning struggled to score down the stretch. Meanwhile, Corning’s Chris Roe, who scored 22 points in the teams’ first meeting early Saturday, was held to 5 points by Nate Gaster.

In the fourth quarter, Andre Hawkins hit 3 of 4 free throws to cut into the Corning lead (34-27). Kyeem Holmes then scored inside (34-29) followed by a Nicky Snyder insider as well (34-31). With 35 seconds remaining, Binghamton, pressing, forced a Corning turnover and had a chance to tie the game with a 3-pointer, but couldn’t convert.

Corning 36, Binghamton 31
Corning-6…………9 – 13 – 8 – 6 – 36
Binghamton 5/6…..6 – 6 – 12 – 7 – 31

Stats:
* Andre Hawkins: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals (4-for-8 on free throws)
* Nicky Snyder: 8 points, 19 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block (1-for-4 on free throws)
* Nate Gaster: 3 points, 5 rebounds (1-for-3 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
* Nathan Oliva: 2 points, 2 rebounds
* Zion Burwell: 2 rebounds
* Roberto Jensen: 2 steals
* Binghamton team free throws: 6-for-15
* Corning team free throws: 3-for-21

4/5 squad wins in comeback at JC 5/6

The Binghamton 4/5 squad played at Johnson City against the JC 5/6 squad on Friday, February 13, and came away with an exciting comeback victory, 34-29.

Binghamton trailed 15-7 midway through the second quarter before 6-2 mini-run got the score to within 17-14 at halftime. Kyeem Holmes made the second of two free throws (15-8), Sarbast Doski scored inside (15-10), Roberto Jensen scored on a drive down the lane (17-12) and Jonah Chambers converted (17-14) just before intermission.

Coach Jensen was hit with his first-ever technical foul moments into the third quarter, and JC converted a free throw to lead it 20-16. From there, Binghamton outscored JC 18-9.

Trailing 29-26, Binghamton scored on a Nate Gaster hook shot in the lane (29-28). Doski then canned two free throws to give Binghamton its first lead since 7-6 in the first quarter (30-29). Johnson City then applied a full-court press, but Binghamton was able to break it. Doski’s outlet pass went to Holmes, who found Jensen at mid-court. Jensen then hit Gaster on the dead run for the lay-up and 32-29 lead with 26 seconds remaining.

JC missed its next shot and was forced to foul Doski with 8.6 seconds to go. Doski hit both his free throws for the final margin.

Binghamton 34, Johnson City 29
Binghamton 4/5………7 – 7 – 8 – 12 – 34
Johnson City 5/6……..13 – 4 – 5 – 7 – 29

Stats:
* Sarbast Doski: 11 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 steals (5-for-7 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Nate Gaster: 8 points, 2 rebounds (0-for-2 on free throws)
* Jonah Chambers: 4 points, 3 rebounds
* Roberto Jensen: 2 points, 1 rebound
* Alex Surowka: 3 rebounds, 2 steals
* Garrett Alapeck: 3 rebounds, 2 steals
* Suehaidee Masso: 1 steal

Earlier that same evening, Binghamton 5/6 Blue had an off night against Norwich-6, playing a contest at the Binghamton YMCA earlier in the evening, losing 48-19.

Stats:
* Nicky Snyder: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block
* Andre Hawkins: 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
* Nate Gaster: 3 points, 5 rebounds (1-for-4 on free throws)
* Sarbast Doski: 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block (2-for-2 on free throws)
* Isiah Turner: 2 points, 6 rebounds (2-for-4 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 1 point, 4 rebounds (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Roberto Jensen: 1 rebound

4/5 squad dominates boards, tops W. Point

The Binghamton 4/5 team took on Whitney Point-5 Thursday night at Roosevelt Elementary, and by dominating the boards, Binghamton came away with a 43-32 win.

Binghamton collected a whopping 82 rebounds in the contest, led by Nate Gaster's 31 boards. Suehaidee Masso collected 11 rebounds, Anthony Ferranti had 10, Austin Becker-Harris had 8 and Casey Walsh had 7.

Binghamton built a 14-2 early lead and held a 16-6 edge after the first quarter. Whitney Point battled back to tie it midway through the second quarter (18-18), but from there, Binghamton pulled away, its lead hovering in the 8- to 10-point area most of the rest of the contest.

Binghamton 43, Whitney Point 32
Whitney Point-5...........6 - 13 - 8 - 5 -- 32
Binghamton 4/5...........16 - 8 - 13 - 6 - 43

Stats:
* Nate Gaster, 16 points, 31 rebounds, 9 blocked shots, 1 steal (2-for-6 on free throws)
* Roberto Jensen: 7 points, 4 rebounds (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Suehaidee Masso: 6 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal (0-for-2 on free throws)
* Austin Becker-Harris: 6 points, 8 rebounds
* Anthony Ferranti: 4 points, 10 rebounds
* Jonah Chambers: 4 points, 6 rebounds
* Casey Walsh: 7 rebounds, 1 block
* Alex Surowka: 2 rebounds
* Lorenzo Kennedy: 1 rebound, 1 steal
* Ben Irwin: 1 rebound
* Jordan Haven: 1 rebound

Binghamton 4/5 comes back, beats SCC 5/6

The Binghamton 4/5 squad fell behind 11-1 in the first quarter to Seton Catholic Central 5/6, then chipped away for the rest of the game, coming away with a hard-fought 44-41 win Tuesday night at Roosevelt Elementary.

After trailing 17-8 after the first quarter, Binghamton's defensive effort was elevated, as they held SCC to 4 points in the second quarter and cut the deficit at the half to 21-16. In the third quarter, Nate Gaster's two free throws gave Binghamton its first lead of the contest, 25-24. SCC responded to lead 28-25.

In the fourth, Gaster scored 8 straight points for Binghamton to push them to a 33-29 lead, and later in the same quarter, Kyeem Holmes scored 6 straight to put Binghamton up 42-33. SCC made one last run before Binghamton was able to break the SCC press, as guards Roberto Jensen and Jonah Chambers ran out the clock for the win.

Binghamton 44, SCC 41
Seton Catholic 5/6...........17 - 4 - 7 - 13 -- 41
Binghamton 4/5................8 - 8 - 9 - 17 -- 44

Stats:
* Nate Gaster: 25 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals (5-for-15 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 10 points, 13 rebounds, 7 steals, 2 blocks
* Suehaidee Masso: 4 points, 1 rebound
* Nathan Oliva: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Anthony Ferranti: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block
* Garrett Alapeck: 6 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
* Roberto Jensen: 4 steals
* Casey Walsh: 2 rebounds, 1 steal
* Alex Surowka: 2 rebounds
* Jonah Chambers: 2 rebounds
* Austin Becker-Harris: 2 rebounds

Maine-Endwell-6 tops 5/6 Blue

Binghamton 5/6 Blue led after one quarter, but two scoring streaks by Maine-Endwell-6 were too much as Blue lost this one Monday night at Roosevelt Elementary, 46-30.

Binghamton held a 10-9 lead heading into the second quarter, also leading 13-11. But a 12-point run by M-E gave them a 23-13 halftime margin. Binghamton chipped away in the third quarter, getting back to within 26-24, but M-E put together another streak (10-0), mostly on fast breaks, en route to the win.

Maine-Endwell 46, Binghamton 30
Maine-Endwell-6.............9 - 14 - 7 - 16 -- 46
Binghamton 5/6..............10 - 3 - 11 - 6 -- 30

Stats:
* Sarbast Doski: 12 points, 18 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
* Andre Hawkins: 8 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block
* Nicky Snyder: 6 points, 17 rebounds, 1 block
* Daenon Davy: 2 points, 2 rebounds
* Nate Gaster: 2 points, 2 rebounds
* Kyeem Holmes: 5 rebounds, 1 steal
* Isiah Turner: 5 rebounds
* Nathan Oliva: 3 rebounds
* Zion Burwell: 1 rebound

Updated schedule for the week

Here's the latest on what's happening with our two teams:

* TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 - 4/5 vs. SCC 5/6 at Roosevelt - makeup from last Saturday (6 p.m.)

* THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 - 4/5 vs. Whitney Point-5 at Roosevelt (6 p.m.)

* FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 - 5/6 Blue vs. Norwich-6 at the downtown YMCA (6 p.m.)

* FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 - 4/5 vs. Johnson City 5/6 at Johnson City (8 p.m.)

* SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 - 5/6 Blue at the Owego Tournament - games at 8 a.m. (vs. Corning); 10:30 a.m. (vs. Candor); and at 3:30 p.m. (vs. Owego). Skills Challenge Competition is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.

* SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 - 5/6 Blue at the Owego Tournament. Times to be determined by Saturday's game results.

Give me a call if you have any questions (743-0582).
-SJ

Binghamton 4/5 gets nice win over M-E Blue

The Binghamton 4/5 squad played Endicott 5/6 Blue Saturday at the Binghamton YMCA, coming away with a 41-24 victory. Binghamton broke out to a 16-2 first-quarter lead and held a 30-10 edge at intermission.

Binghamton 41, Maine-Endwell 24
Maine-Endwell 5/6 Blue.........2 - 8 - 8 - 6 -- 24
Binghamton 4/5....................16 - 14 - 4 - 7 -- 41

Stats:
* Nate Gaster: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal (2-for-6 on free throws)
* Austin Becker-Harris: 6 points, 5 rebounds
* Roberto Jensen: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
* Sarbast Doski: 5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal
* Jonah Chambers: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals (0-for-2 on free throws)
* Suehaidee Masso: 2 points, 5 rebounds
* Garrett Alapeck: 2 points, 2 rebounds
* Alex Surowka: 2 points, 1 steal
* Kyeem Holmes: 9 rebounds, 2 blocks
* Anthony Ferranti: 4 rebounds, 1 steal
* Jordan Haven: 4 rebounds, 1 steal
* Patrick Goodman: 2 rebounds
* Ben Irwin: 2 rebounds

Blue's offense sputters in loss to Oneonta

The Binghamton 5/6 Blue squad lost to Oneonta-6 Friday night at the Binghamton YMCA, 45-29. After running out to a 14-3 first-quarter lead, Binghamton's offense went away, as Blue scored just 15 points in the remaining three quarters, combined.

Binghamton, which led 22-18 at halftime, scored the first basket of the third quarter. From there, Oneonta went on a 15-0 run to end the period. Oneonta led 35-25 after three.

Blue got to within 6 points in the fourth quarter, but Oneonta staged another run (10-0) to end the contest.

Oneonta 45, Binghamton 29
Oneonta-6...........3 - 15 - 17 - 10 -- 45
Binghamton 5/6.......14 - 8 - 3 - 4 -- 29

Stats:
* Sarbast Doski: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks, 1 steal
* Andre Hawkins: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block (0-for-2 on free throws)
* Nicky Snyder: 4 points, 7 rebounds
* Isiah Turner: 3 points, 4 rebounds
* Nate Gaster: 2 points, 3 rebounds
* Kyeem Holmes: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 block
* Daenon Davy: 1 rebound, 1 steal

Blue stages furious comeback, falls just short

On Thursday night at Roosevelt Elementary, the Binghamton 5/6 Blue squad found itself 20 points in the hole during the second quarter to a well balanced Athens-6 team. But Binghamton came all the way back to grab a 1-point lead with under two minutes to play. However, Blue fell just short of pulling off the dramatic comeback win, falling to Athens 56-53 in a thriller.

Down 34-14 late in the second, Binghamton Blue scored the last two baskets of the first half and went into intermission facing a 34-18 deficit. The second half yielded a much different effort, however.

To end the third quarter, Blue outscored Athens 10-4 and trailed 42-30 entering the fourth. After trading baskets early in the final quarter, Binghamton trailed 49-34. Then Andre Hawkins caught fire, fueling Binghamton during a 16-0 run.

Hawkins hit one 3-pointer (49-37), followed by a Sarbast Doski inside field goal (49-39). Two more Hawkins treys got it to 49-45, and a Nate Oliva free throw put the deficit at just 3 points (49-46). Hawkins hit a field goal (49-48) then canned two free throws to give Binghamton its first lead (50-49) since midway through the first quarter.

Athens had an answer, though, coming down to convert on an inside feed, regaining the lead, then hitting a free throw to convert the traditional 3-point play (52-50, Athens). Binghamton couldn't score on its next possession, and Athens added to its lead (54-50).

But Binghamton wasn't finished. Hawkins hit his fifth 3-pointer of the night to draw within 54-53 with 8 seconds left in regulation. Blue was forced to foul and Athens hit both its free throws (56-53) with 5.9 seconds to go.

Blue inbounded and brought the ball to half court before calling a time out with a little more than 3 seconds remaining. Nick Snyder inbounded the ball at midcourt to Hawkins, near the top of the 3-point arc. Hawkins was able to get off a shot with about 1.5 seconds left, but an Athens defender got a hand on the ball to end the contest.

Athens 56, Binghamton 53
Athens-6...................16 - 18 - 8 - 14 -- 56
Binghamton 5/6.......10 - 8 - 12 - 20 -- 53

Stats:
* Andre Hawkins: 25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block (five 3-pointers) (2-for-2 on free throws)
* Sarbast Doski: 18 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals (2-for-7 on free throws) (fouled out)
* Nicky Snyder: 4 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal
* Nate Gaster: 4 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
* Isiah Turner: 1 point, 4 rebounds, 1 block (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Nate Oliva: 1 point, 2 blocks, 1 steal (1-for-2 on free throws)
* Zion Burwell: 3 steals, 1 rebound
* Roberto Jensen: 2 steals, 1 rebound
* Kyeem Holmes: 1 rebound

In a game earlier this week (Tuesday at Roosevelt), the Binghamton 4/5 team played a very competitive contest against Maine-Endwell 5/6 Gold, falling to the squad from M-E, 45-42.

Stats:
* Anthony Ferranti: 9 points
* Kyeem Holmes: 8 points
* Nate Gaster: 8 points
* Garrett Alapeck: 6 points
* Austin Becker-Harris: 4 points
* Casey Walsh: 4 points
* Jonah Chambers: 3 points

Different week, different result v. Endicott

One week ago, the Binghamton 4/5 team led Endicott-5 at halftime 14-11 before the Endicott team outscored the home squad in the second half, 34-11, to get a 45-25 win.

Monday night, though, Binghamton 4/5 built a 23-13 halftime lead and through the third quarter, stretched the margin to 38-21 before grabbing the victory, 48-40.

Binghamton took an early 8-0 lead on two field goals apiece from Kyeem Holmes and Anthony Ferranti. Austin Becker-Harris and Nate Gaster each scored two baskets, while Garrett Alapeck added one in the second quarter to give 4/5 its 10-point lead at intermission. In the third, Binghamton outscored Endicott 15-8 to lead heading into the fourth, 38-21, then fought off a pressing Endicott team down the stretch.

Monday, January 26:
Endicott 45, Binghamton 25
Endicott-5...................5 - 6 - 18 - 16 -- 45
Binghamton 4/5.........7 - 7 - 7 - 4 -- 25

Monday, February 2
Binghamton 48, Endicott 40
Endicott-5..................8 - 5 - 8 - 19 -- 40
Binghamton 4/5.....13 - 10 - 15 - 10 -- 48

Stats:
* Nate Gaster: 18 points, 22 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block (2-for-4 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes: 8 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocked shots
* Anthony Ferranti: 8 points, 6 rebounds (0-for-2 on free throws)
* Austin Becker-Harris: 6 points, 1 steal (0-for-1 on free throws)
* Garrett Alapeck: 4 points, 4 rebounds
* Jonah Chambers: 2 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal
* Suehaidee Masso: 2 rebounds, 1 steal

4/5 squad tops Whitney Point again

The Binghamton 4/5 squad traveled to Whitney Point on Saturday afternoon for a rematch of the game earlier in the week, which Binghamton won 44-29. This time, playing with just six players attending, Binghamton came away with a 47-34 victory.

Binghamton led by 9 points at halftime and extended that lead to 14 through the third quarter, even as three of the six players worked through substitutions with foul trouble. Still, Binghamton's lead stayed consistently in the 10- to 14-point range in the second half, with Whitney Point cutting it to 8 points just once midway through the third.

Guards Jonah Chambers, Casey Walsh, Garrett Alapeck and Roberto Jensen combined for 20 points and 10 steals, while forwards Kyeem Holmes and Nate Gaster owned the boards, collecting a combined 40 rebounds.

Binghamton 47, Whitney Point 34
Binghamton 4/5.........14 - 10 - 14 - 9 -- 47
Whitney Point-5...........7 - 8 - 9 - 10 -- 34

Stats:
* Nate Gaster: 21 points, 27 rebounds, 2 steals (3-for-7 on free throws)
* Garrett Alapeck: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal
* Kyeem Holmes: 6 points, 13 rebounds, 6 steals, 2 blocks
* Jonah Chambers: 6 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block (2-for-7 on free throws)
* Casey Walsh: 4 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 blocks
* Roberto Jensen: 2 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals (2-for-4 on free throws)

The Binghamton 5/6 Blue squad had a less successful outing on Friday night at Roosevelt. Not much to report on that one, as Endicott-6 started fast and ended the same way, beating the 5/6 squad 75-32.

Stats:
* Sarbast Doski: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks (2 3-pointers)
* Andre Hawkins: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals (2 3-pointers)
* Nicky Snyder: 5 points, 6 rebounds
* Roberto Jensen: 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
* Nate Gaster: 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
* Isiah Turner: 2 points, 1 rebound
* Nate Oliva: 2 points, 1 rebound
* Daenon Davy: 3 rebounds, 1 steal
* Zion Burwell: 2 rebounds