The shooting touch of Tyler August and tenacious team defense and rebounding led the Monroe Red Storm to victory in the seventh grade division of the Mohegan Sun Winter Championships last weekend.
In the first half, August made four three-pointers for his travel basketball team, helping Monroe build an early lead against Agawam, Mass., in the championship game Sunday Night.
Agawam chipped away at the Red Storm’s lead, pulling to within one point before Johnny Angelopoulos drew a foul and sunk two free throws to ice the game and Monroe’s 34-31 triumph with four seconds to go.
“I told the team after the game that I am proud of them for the energy and tenacity they play with on the court, but more importantly that the bond and appreciation they truly have for one another is what sets them apart,” Head Coach Jay Farrer said during a telephone interview Tuesday night.
Farrer said the 12 teammates, who all go to Jockey Hollow Middle School, spent a lot of time together at the casino and swimming. All of the families went out to dinner together on Saturday night, and Farrer said the boys had their arms around each other while they ate.
Monroe won all four games in the tournament, which was sponsored by Vertical Hoops.
On Saturday, the Red Storm beat Brookfield 34-17 and the Norwalk Youth Club 47-20. Then they beat Brookfield again, 35-17 in the semifinals Sunday to advance to the championship game.
Farrer said his team was the number one seed in the tournament, which mostly featured Connecticut teams, but also teams from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Quebec.