Congratulations!! You are the Champions!!

The LSU boys won one trophy when they finished in first place with a 10-2 record.  Last night they completed the job and won a second trophy when they beat Marquette 37-20 at the Bragg School in Chester to win the playoff championship trophy.

LSU coasted to victory last night after taking a 13-4 lead at the end of the first quarter.  The lead was extended to 23-8 at halftime and 31-12 after three quarters.  In the fourth quarter, we were able to experiment by starting the fourth quarter with a five man team of all fifth graders, who held their own against the Marquette starters.

The sixth graders finished the game by running out the clock for the most part over the last four minutes of the game.  Will Howes, Walter Rivas and Jesse Milesnick played their final minutes in the fifth and sixth grade division.  Will put the icing on the cake by hitting  a free throw with 1.8 seconds left.

Walter Rivas led all scorers with fifteen points.  Seven of the nine LSU players who played scored points.  The victory was a fitting end to an exciting season.  Congratulations to the LSU players and thank you to the LSU families for your support of the team.

The Hottest Team versus The Best Record

Tonight's matchup between LSU and Marquette features the league's hottest team (Marquette) against the team with the best record (LSU). It also features a contrast in styles between a star-driven offense (Marquette) and a team oriented approach (LSU).

Marquette, 9-4, enters the game with a six game winning streak. They have an average margin of victory of 4.4 points and have scored a total of 426 points in 13 games. Most of those points have been scored by one player. Indeed, Marquette's star player scored 56 of the 67 points that Marquette scored against LSU in the two head-to-head matchups.

LSU, 11-2, enters the game with a four game streak, but that is not our longest winning streak. Between the only two losses of the year, we won seven straight games. Our average margin of victory is 8.7 points and we have scored a total of 479 points in 13 games. LSU boasts two players who average scoring in double figures, and a third who has broken into double figures three times this year. Our current winning streak is the product of full participation by all ten players in both the offense and the defense. Everyone on the team is capable of scoring at any time. Everyone on the team has the confidence to take andmake a good shot.

Game time is 6:30 PM at the Bragg School. Please arrive by 6:10 for pre-game warmups.

Marquette Wins Semi-Final Game in OT

Marquette beat Texas 38-35 in overtime to earn the right to play top-ranked LSU i,n the finals.  LSU beat Marquette handily - by eleven points - in the first matchup.  Marquette got its revenge in the re-match by beating LSU by four points in an ugly contest marred by too many referee whistles.  Marquette, 9-4, relies on one scorer, who scores three-quarters of the team's points.  LSU, 11-2, relies on all ten players.  Indeed, nine of the ten players scored in LSU's impressive semi-finals triumph over Notre Dame.

Nine LSU players score 40 St. Patty's Day Points!

Dateline Chester.  Black River Middle School.  Chester League 5th and 6th Grade Boys Semi-Finals.  Final Score:  LSU 40, Notre Dame 31.  So much for the luck of the Fighting Irish!

Luck wasn't enough when nine LSU players scored points.  With Will Howes defended by four players at most times, the other players stepped up.  Jake Wagner netted a season-high six points to supplement several steals and rebounds for his best game to date.

It wasn't easy in the beginning as Notre Dame came out prepared.  Their offense hit on all cylinders, and their quadruple team of Will Howes put gave them a 9-4 early lead.  Then came the "Posse Plus" who reeled off six straight points to give LSU a 10-9 advantage at the end of the first stanza.

After a tight second period, the score was tied at fifteen.  Then Notre Dame flew right into the heart of the Bermuda Triangle.  The Bermuda Triangle defense stopped the Notre Dame attack, and propelled LSU to a 14-5 third quarter advantage, and a daunting nine point lead.

The passing and team play continued through the fourth quarter.  Notre Dame just couldn't breath through.  "They played like champions tonight," said Borough Council Candidate Kathy Howes, who was in attendance, "they played like a team."

Star Notre Dame Center Andrew Martin led all scorers with nineteen points.  LSU point forward Walter Rivas led the Bayou Bengals with eleven.

Murphy LaFerle to Bring Luck of the Irish - and defense - on St. Patty's Day

It may not have dawned on LSU fans yet, but we are playing Notre Dame - "The Fighting Irish" - on St. Patrick's Day this Tuesday.  That might seem to indicate that the Luck of the Irish would be against LSU.  But it only seems that way.

LSU has a better connection to the real-life Fighting Irish than anyone on the Notre Dame Boys Basketball Team.  And that lucky charm is none other than Murphy LaFerle.  Murphy's mom comes from a big Notre Dame family.  Indeed, Murphy's grandfather was the voice of Notre Dame football for many years.  With a strong Notre Dame Fighting Irish pedigree, the name Murphy was no accident.

But Murphy does more than just bring the luck of the Irish to LSU.  Much more.

Murphy has emerged as a one of the strongest defenders on the team, if not the entire league.  He has developed a knack of stealing the ball from the other team's offense.  Somehow he knows how to anticipate a pass and to intercept it.  Murphy uses his strength and speed to pull down rebounds and get into the right place at the right time.  

Murphy is one of the Fabulous Fifth Graders and one of LSU's unsung heroes.  Odds are that Murphy will make a play on St. Patrick's Day that will put LSU over the top against Notre Dame.

LSU to Face Notre Dame in Semi-Finals

Notre Dame vanquished Villanova 27-24 today in Chester to set up a rematch with LSU this Tuesday in Chester.  Notre Dame now sports a 7-6 record.  LSU is 10-2.  

The cross-town rivals have played three regular season games and one pre-season scrimmage.   The scrimmage ended in a tie.  Notre Dame won the season opener by two points.  LSU has won the last two matchups by five- and nine-point margins.

The winner will advance to the finals against the winner of the Tuesday semi-final game between Texas and Marquette.

Town Team Final Update

Several of the LSU players played on the Peapack-Gladstone Town Team in the Recreation Intertown Basketball League ("RIB"). The RIB is run by the Somerville Recreation Department. During the eight game season, the Peapack-Gladstone team played teams from Somerville, Readington, Bound Brook, Manville, Bedminster and Bernardsville.

Despite the fact that all seven of those towns are much larger than Peapack-Gladstone, the P-G team compiled a winning record, winning five and losing three. We beat Bound Brook, Manville, Readington, Bedminster and Somerville. We lost to Bernardsville and twice to Middlesex.

Participation in the RIB league gave the boys a chance to play against some better competition. For most of them it was their first step into the world of "travel" basketball. Congratulations to all of them on their success.

The Final Standings: We're Number One

1.  LSU (10-2)

2.  Marquette (8-4)

3.  Texas (7-5)

4.  Notre Dame (6-6)

5.  Villanova (5-7)

6.  Louisville (0-12)

First Round:  Texas vs. Louisville; Notre Dame vs. Villanova

Semi-Finals:  LSU vs. Notre Dame/Villanova winner; Marquette vs. Texas/Louisville winner

Finals:  TBD

Congratulations to Coach Lane!

With Coach Pat at home sick, we needed an assistant coach for tonight's final regular season game.  The choice was obvious:  We needed a good organization man who bleeds LSU purple.  There was only one man for the job:  Assistant Coach Brandon Lane.

With Coach Lane on the sidelines, LSU brought balanced attack to the Dickenson School, taking an early 11-2 lead, and holding on to the lead all night against a tough, well-coached Villanova squad.  Seven different LSU players scored.  Will Howes led the way with fourteen point, including two long three-pointers and four from the charity stripe.  Walter Rivas chipped in six as LSU rolled to a comfortable 32-28 victory.

 

With the win, LSU finishes the regular season with 10 wins and 2 losses in sole possession of first place.  Congratulations to Coach Brandon Lane.  This won't be the last game he wins as a player or a coach.

Updated Division Standings

The standings are updated through last night's games. They are as follows:

1. LSU (9-2)
2. Texas (7-4)**
3. Marquette (7-4)**
4. Notre Dame (6-6)++
5. Villanova (5-6)++
6. Louisville (0-12)

Notes:

LSU has clinched the division championship and the number one seed in the playoffs.

**Texas is now seeded second because they win the tiebreakers. Texas has beaten Marquette twice. However, Texas faces Marquette tomorrow. Whoever wins that game will have an 8-4 record and the second seed, and therefore a first round bye.

++If Villanova defeats LSU tomorrow, their record will rise to 6-6 and place them in a virtual tie with Notre Dame. Villanova wins the tiebreaker with Notre Dame, having defeated Notre Dame in two of their three meetings.

Playoff Schedule

The league announced the playoff schedule today.  LSU earned a first round "bye" by finishing the season in first place.  We will play a semi-final game on March 17 at 6:30 at Black River MS.  LSU's opponent TBD.  If we win that game, we play in the finals on March 19 at 6:30 at the Bragg School.

Please clear your calendars for those dates and times.  Please invite friends and family to come support LSU in its quest to win the tournament!

Updated League Standings: LSU on Top

The League has updated the standings for our division.  They are as follows:

1.  LSU (won 9-lost 2)

2.  Marquette (won 6-lost 4)

3.  Texas (won 5-lost 4)

4.  Notre Dame (won 6-lost 5)

5.  Villanova (won 4-lost 5)

6.  Louisville (won 0-lost 11)

The "Bermuda Triangle" Defense

Yesterday, I explained the nickname "shark tank" and how it applies to our zone defenses.  Another nickname that applies to one of our zone defenses is the "Bermuda Triangle".

The Bermuda Triangle is one of LSU's zone defenses.  It is named after the legendary area in the North Atlantic Ocean where ships, planes and sailors have allegedly disappeared over the centuries.  (See map above.)

The Bermuda Triangle is our nickname for the "Triangle-and-two" zone defense that we use on occasion.  The Triangle-and-two is a zone that you don't see often in high school or college.  It is considered a gimmick defense at those levels.  However, at the youth basketball level, especially at this level, it is an effective setup.

In the Triangle-and-two, two forwards defend the zones on the low post and one forward defends the paint.  The three forwards make up the triangle.  The two guards vigorously defend the ball handlers as they cross the half-court line.  (See diagram above.)  Since very few players, if any, at this level are able to shoot effectively from the perimeter, this defense works.

When mixed in with our man-to-man and our other zones, the Bermuda Triangle works.  The ball and the opposing offense may enter the triangle, but they usually will not succeed in their journey to the basket.

In the "Shark Tank"

On the LSU basketball team, we try to have some fun.  Some of our fun comes from the nicknames that we give to some of the players and to parts of our game.  One of our nicknames is the "shark tank".

The shark tank is our nickname for the paint area of the lane on our defensive side of the court.  When we array the team in a zone defense, the person whose job it is to guard the lane and its access to the basket is told to go into the shark tank.  He plays tough and ferocious (yet clean) defense.  The defender in the shark tank is the key to our success when we play in a zone defense.

Agenda for Final Week of the Regular Season

Final Regular Season Game:  Thursday, March 12 at 6:45 versus Villanova at the Dickerson School in Chester

Final Regular Practice:  Tuesday, March 10 at 6:00 at the Peapack Gymnasium.

Playoff schedule TBA.  We will enjoy a first round bye due to our division championship.

"W" Stands for Will, Walter and Winning

Some people might think that "W" stands for the middle initial of the 43rd president of the United States or for the title of the film named after him, but they would be wrong. For the LSU Boys Basketball team, "W" stands for winning while having fun.

Winning starts with a ten man team where everyone contributes. LSU sits atop the division because of the ten young men who play like tigers. It helps, too, that we have two sixth graders who already have one championship season under their belts.

This season marks the second season that Walter Rivas and Will Howes have played together on a team in the Chester League. Last year, Walter and Will played key roles in the success of the Peapack-Gladstone Bulls. The Bulls compiled a 9-1 regular season record to win the 5th and 6th grade division of the Chester League. Will was the team's point guard and leading scorer, averaging over 13 points per game. Walter was the team's leading defender, earning the nickname "the bandit" for his ability to steal the ball from the other team and start a fast break.

Walter and Will brought to this year's team the confidence born in last year's success. Their confidence has infected the other players who have pulled together to create a 9-2 record while having some fun. The team knows that it can always rely on Will and Walter to score some points and keep the team in any game.

Will and Walter have two regular season championships and nineteen wins under their belt, but they have some unfinished business: A post-season championship.

LSU Clinches First Place, 40-31

Three months hard work has paid off for LSU.  It all started after Thanksgiving with practice, then after New Years with our first game.  All ten boys showed up for practices and games and gave it their all.  Tonight they were rewarded.

LSU clinched first place in the Boys 5th-6th grade division with a convincing 40-31 victory over cross-town rival Notre Dame.

The first half was a see-saw battle between the rivals.  Notre Dame focused their energy on LSU point guard Will Howes, who drove the ball to the basket time and time again.  He forced Ethan Vieja into foul trouble in the first half, and more importantly sunk six free throws in the first half.  Using a withering back-court press over the last two minutes of the half, LSU surged to a 20-18 halftime lead.

Then the LSU defense clamped down, holding Notre Dame to 13 points in the second half, only two of which came from star Notre Dame center Andrew Martin.  On offense, Walter Rivas dominated the third quarter with six points and Ryan Lane dominated with six of his own in the final stanza.

Six LSU players scored, with three in double figures.  Walter Rivas and Will Howes scored 11 apiece.  Ryan Lane dropped in ten for his second double-digit game.  Miles Kenny (4), Noah Kleitsch (2) and Nick Liccardi (2) rounded out the scoring.

With a record of nine wins and two losses, LSU has mathematically eliminated all other teams.  Congratulations, men.  Great work!

For Miles Kenny, Winning is "All in the Family"

LSU forward Miles Kenny comes from a long line of successful athletes.  You name a sport, and I could probably name one of Miles's siblings who excels in it:  Football, lacrosse, basketball . . . 

And this is not the first season in which I have had the privilege of coaching one of the Kenny men in basketball.  Last year's Peapack-Gladstone Bulls won a trophy for the regular season championship of the 5th and 6th grade division of the Chester League.  The leader of that team was one Will "Magic" Kenny.

When we started the Bulls, we had two players named Will (Will Kenny and Will Howes).  That situation clearly demanded nicknames.  At the first practice, Will Kenny made shot after shot, to which I quipped, "I guess we've got that old Kenny magic!" which was a reference to the Will's athletic prowess and that of his family.   The nickname "Magic" stuck.  Magic Kenny led the team to a 9-1 regular season record and the league championship.

Exit "Magic" Kenny to the 7th and 8th grade team.  Enter Miles Kenny, one of our fabulous fifth graders.

Miles helps LSU win in a number of ways:  rebounding, defense, points, steals.  He brings a joy to practice and to the games.  He makes it clear that he loves to be there and wants basketball to last forever.  Once Miles called me to ask what time that our 4:30 practice would end, to which I answered:  "Midnight.  Is that OK?"

Miles immediately answered "I wish!"  In other words, Miles would be happy to come and shoot hoops and be with his team mates for hours and hours.

Miles did not get an official nickname at the beginning of the LSU practice season, but maybe he doesn't need one - he is the only Miles on the team, and his name rhymes with "smiles", which is what I see every time Miles comes into the gym.

Milesnick Makes the Difference!

America is a great country:  If you keep showing up and doing your best, you can be the hero.  And that's just what happened to Jesse Milesnick today.  Jesse has come to practice and done everything that has been asked of him.  He is always in the right place at the right time.  And today it paid off.

In addition to making key defensive stops and pulling down rebounds, Jesse scored two key buckets in the third quarter.  His four points provided the margin of victory as first place LSU beat a well-coached Texas team by three points in overtime, 36-33.

It was a tense game.  It was a physical game.  Texas was whistled for 31 fouls.  Four Texas players were disqualified with five fouls each.  

LSU fell behind early and were looking up from a six point deficit at the half.  They pulled to within two points at the end of the third, and pulled even at the end of regulation.  Then the Texas players started dropping like flies.  They couldn't keep up with the LSU speed, and as a result the fouled.  As the Texas players exited the game, LSU established a 7-4 overtime advantage, five of which came on free throws.

All nine LSU players who played contributed to the win.  Will Howes scored a dozen and Walter Rivas scored ten to lead LSU in scoring.

Defense the Key to LSU Title Hopes

With very few exceptions, LSU have played tough defense this year.  All of LSU's eight wins are the result of team defense.  All ten players pitch in and do their parts.  All ten players know their roles.  They dive for loose balls.  They get rebounds.  They force turnovers.  Their full-court press is intimidating.  That will have to continue for LSU to finish the season strong, and win the division championship.  

LSU is in the driver's seat:  If we win our final three games, then no one can catch us.  To do that, we need to continue to defend, defend, defend.  LSU will get a chance to display the defense that put us in first place this Saturday against rival Texas.

Showdown with Second Place Longhorns Saturday

LSU is in control of its own destiny with three games remaining in the regular season.  They hold a one and one half game lead over rival Texas, who has won five and lost three.  Texas has lost two of their last three games, and is struggling to score points.

LSU is looking to rebound from a loss last Saturday.

A win this Saturday would guarantee LSU at least a share of the division title.  

"The Bandit" Eclipses the Century Mark

Walter "the Bandit" Rivas earned his nickname for his uncanny ability to steal the ball from the opposition and start a fast break.  This year, Walter has added scoring to his repertoire.  Walter's basket on Saturday raised his season point total to 101 in 9 games, making his the second LSU player to pass the 100 point mark.  Congratulations to Walter!

Race Tightens as LSU and Texas fall

Standings in the 5th and 6th grade boys in-town division tightened Saturday as the division's top two teams lost nail-biters. LSU fell to Marquette by 4 points. Texas lost to Notre Dame by 1 point. As a result, LSU maintains a 1 1/2 game lead over Texas with three teams - Notre Dame, Villanova and Marquette right on their heels.

LSU's loss brought to an end a brilliant seven-game winning streak. LSU were stymied by the ref's whistle. LSU was called for a record 22 fouls to Marquette's 11. Three LSU players (Walter Rivas, Will Howes and Noah Kleitsch) were disqualified with five fouls each, marking the first time this season that any LSU player has fouled out of a game.

LSU was still nearly able to overcome the fouls. Two of LSU's fabulous fifth graders combined for 11 points. Noah Kleitsch dropped in seven points in a breakthrough performance. Nick Liccardi added four in addition to taking on a big part of the responsibility on defense. Will Howes dropped in 21 points after an early injury took him out of the game.

LSU returns to action on Saturday in Chester against second place Texas.

Tigers Emerge from Break Atop the Division

The Presidents Week break is almost over, and the final four games of the regular season are upon us.  Going into the final stretch, LSU sits in first place with a 7-1 record with a 1 1/2 game lead over Texas.  The outlook is good going into the homestretch.  Why?

LSU boasts a balanced scoring attack.  While most teams in the division tend to rely on one scorer, LSU can get big time scoring from three players.  Will "the Thrill" Howes, Walter "il Bandito" Rivas and Ryan "Shaq" Lane all have multiple double-digit scoring efforts under their belts.

Will passed the century mark in points for the second time in two seasons in the Chester League, scoring 114 points in 8 games.  He has scored in double figures 7 times with a high game of 20.

Walter is on the brink of the century mark, scoring 99 points in 8 games.  He has scored in double figures 7 times with a high game of 14.

Ryan has scored 47 points in 7 games.  He has scored in double figures twice with a high game of 18.  At his current pace, he stands a good chance of becoming the third LSU player to top the century mark.  Ryan leads a platoon of seven fabulous fifth graders, all of whom are learning how to score the basketball.

LSU boasts a dynamic defense.  All ten players contribute by stopping their opponent, diving for loose balls and competing for rebounds.  The combination of a balanced scoring attack and a dynamic defense make LSU tough to beat.

Lane Leads LSU to Lopsided Win

Ryan Lane dominated under the boards and scored a season high 18 points to lead first-place LSU to a 43-27 victory over a vastly improved Louisville squad.  Ryan seemed to hit from everywhere on the court, dropping in a 15 foot jump shot, netting second chance points from offensive rebounds and going coast-to-coast on a fast break.  This was Ryan's second double-digit scoring effort.

Will Howes orchestrated the offense, adding ten points of his own to the effort.  Walter Rivas added seven.  Fabulous Fifth Graders Noah Kleitsch (4) and Nick Liccardi (2) added key buckets of their own.

Once again, the notorious Bermuda Triangle defense stopped the opposition cold.  The team held Louisville to two points in the third quarter, building a seemingly insurmountable 11 point lead.  LSU stretched the lead to twenty points in the fourth before yielding two late buckets.

The win marks LSU's seventh consecutive victory going into the Presidents Weekend Break.

Louisville to Try Its Luck Against LSU Again Tonight

LSU will face Louisville again tonight at the Black River Middle School at 8:15 pm.  Winners of six straight contests, LSU will take to the floor against a team that they have beaten twice.  In any sport at any level, it is difficult to beat any team three times in one season, so LSU will have to bring its best game to Black River.  LSU will play short-handed tonight, with at least one player suffering from the flu-like symptoms that are making the rounds this winter.

Note: Post Season Tournament

The regular season will probably consist of ten games, so we are starting to approach season's end.  What follows the season is Chester's own version of "March Madness".  All six teams in our division will qualify for the post-season tournament.  Traditionally, the post-season tournament has been a double elimination tournament.  That is, a team plays until it loses two games.  The last team standing without two losses is the tournament champion.

The tournament is exciting.  This year will be my sixth - and possibly last - trip to the tournament.  My previous visits have produced some great memories both for players and coaches.

We do not have the dates yet for the tournament, but it would probably begin the first week of March.

Look Who's Number One!

LSU starts out the week  all alone in first place in the Boys 5th-6th Grade Division of the Chester Basketball League.  The current standings are:

1.   LSU:  won 6 - lost 1

2.  Texas:  won 4 - lost 2

3.  Villanova:  won 3 - lost 3

4.  Marquette:  won 2 - lost 3

5.  Notre Dame:  won 2 - lost 4

6.  Louisville:  won 0 - lost 5

Town Team Update: P-G Defeats Manville 38-22

The P-G Town Team won their fourth straight contest in the Somerville Intertown League by defeating Manville 38-22.  P-G sprinted out to an 11-1 lead, then held off a persistent Manville team with a balanced scoring attack.  Walter Rivas led all scorers with 12 points.  Fabulous Fifth Graders Murphy LaFerle and Mike Hoppe contributed key buckets in the win.

LSU Prevails on "Sportsmanship Saturday"

Sportsmanship was the theme for LSU today as they took the court against Louisville.  In our pre-game huddle we spoke about how important it is to be good sports when you win a game, or when you are in first place.

At the top of the sportsmanship list was Coach Lane (Ryan's Dad), who kept score for both the LSU game and the later Peapack-Gladstone game against Manville.  Ryan Lane displayed good sportsmanship all game long as he kept cool with the Louisville center riding his back the entire game.  Nick Liccardi displayed good sportsmanship after he took a hit to the nose.  He stayed in the game, and did not complain.  Those were just two examples of an entire team of good sports.

Oh, and yes, they did win 40-20 over an improved Louisville squad.  Fantastic Fifth Graders  poured in points today:  Ryan Lane (6), Noah Kleitsch (4) and Miles Kenny (4) boosted the LSU fortunes.  Walter Rivas and Will Howes continued their hot shooting with 13 apiece in limited minutes.

Murphy LaFerle and Jesse Milesnick contributed often with rebounds and good passes.

The win brings LSU's record to 6-1, and places them in sole possession of first place after rival Texas lost their second game this morning.

Thrill's Three-Balls Throttle Notre Dame

The LSU defense clamped down on Notre Dame tonight, and Will "the Thrill" Howes poured in three three pointers in the first half as LSU beat cross-town rivals Notre Dame, 35-30.

Noah Kleitsch, Jesse Milesnick and Nick Liccardi led a defense that held Notre Dame's star center Andrew Martin to eight points on the night, and held the entire Notre Dame team to 12 points in the second half.

LSU's dynamic duo of Will Howes and Walter Rivas each scored 14 points, but it was Miles Kenny's two clutch buckets in the third quarter that proved crucial.  Miles hit two short jump shots to help hold off a pesky Notre Dame squad.

LSU moves to 5-1 on the season while Notre Dame drops to 2-3.  LSU faces Louisville Saturday morning in Chester. 

Injury Report: LSU vs. Notre Dame

Guard Nick "the Quick" Liccardi returns to the lineup tonight after recuperating from a skiing injury.  Nick practiced with the team yesterday, and appeared to be himself, hustling and competing.

"Fast Break" Jake Wagner missed school today due to illness.  As such, he will not be in the lineup tonight against Notre Dame.

Big Re-Match with Notre Dame Tonight in Peapack

LSU is one bucket away from an undefeated record at the mid-season point.  That one bucket - the one that didn't come - was needed against Notre Dame in the season opener.  LSU lost by one basket, 36-34, when they played their cross-town rivals in January.  The one bucket that almost happened was a three point attempt by Will Howes in the closing seconds.  That shot would have won the game at the buzzer, but it rimmed out.  Game time:  7:15.

LSU in First Place in Fun AND in the Standings

While we were having fun, we managed to learn a few things and win enough games to end the first half of the season in first place.  We are tied with Texas for the best record.  Based on the fact that we beat Texas, we win the tiebreaker.  The current standings:

LSU        Won 4 - Lost 1    .750

Texas      Won 4 - Lost 1   .750

Villanova  Won 2 - Lost 2    .500

Notre Dame    Won 2 - Lost 2    .500

Marquette    Won 1 - Lost 3     .250

Louisville   Won 0 - Lost 4    .000

Travel Team Update: P-G Now 3-1

January 24:  P-G 33, Bound Brook 31.  P-G jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first quarter then fought off a feisty Bound Brook squad for the rest of the game.  Will Howes hit a runner in the final seconds to seal the win.  Bryan Gardiner led a well-balanced attack with eight points.

January 31:  P-G 25, Somerville 20.  It seemed like there was a lid on the basket for most of the day.  P-G dominated the boards and moved the ball well.  They took a lot of good shots.  They just didn't happen to go in.  Fortunately, the P-G defense stifled Somerville.  Andrew Martin led the P-G attack with 10 points.

Next game:  February 7 at home versus Manville.

LSU Defense Stifles Visiting Villanova

LSU's defense clamped down on visiting Villanova today at the Peapack Gym as LSU won 25-22.  LSU allowed 4 points in the first quarter and 4 in the second to build an eight point half time lead.  The boys were even more stingy in the third, allowing only 3.

Villanova came alive in the fourth, but the LSU lead was too much for them.

LSU held Villanova's star player, Jarret Mogavero to six points.

The win extended LSU's win streak to four.  Walter "the Bandit" Rivas led the way with 10 points, marking the fifth consecutive game in which he has reached double figures.  Will "the Thrill" Howes added 9, Ryan Lane 4 and "Fast Break Jake" Wagner 2.

LSU's Dynamic Duo

Walter Rivas and Will Howes continue the Peapack-Gladstone tradition of good basketball and good sportsmanship. Walter and Will were key members of the Peapack-Gladstone Bulls, who won a trophy as the regular season champions of the Chester Basketball League, 5th and 6th grade boys division in 2008. The Bulls finished with a 10-2 record.

Walter and Will are LSU's dymamic duo. They have each scored in double figures in each of LSU's four games to date. The dynamic duo's winning ways have rubbed off on the teams 5th graders, and on 6th Grader Jesse Milesnick, who plays forward.

LSU boasts seven excellent fifth graders this year: Center Ryan Lane, Forward Miles Kenny and Guards Noah Kleitsch, Nick Liccardi, Liam McGonegal, Jake Wagner and Murphy LaFerle. All of our seven 5th graders have contributed.

LSU looks forward to an 11:45 am game at the Peapack-Gladstone Gym. Please arrive at 11:30 ready to play.

LSU Stops Texas' Streak at Three

A well-coached Texas team came into the friendly confines of the Peapack Gym with an undefeated record and dreams of a perfect season.  But like many teams before them, the Peapack Gym dashed those dreams.

LSU was playing shorthanded.  Center Ryan Lane was out with flu-like symptoms.  Guard Nick Liccardi was on the disabled list with a concussion suffered while skiing.  The rest of the LSU team came together and played like a team.

LSU moved out to a 7-0 lead in a first quarter that was marred by fouls and injuries.  LSU was playing outstanding defense, but there seemed to be a lid on the basket.  The lid didn't come off of the basket in the second quarter, but LSU held on to a 11-6 lead at the half.

The offense came alive in the second half.  Walter "the Bandit" Rivas exploded for seven of his 11 points and Will "the Thrill" dropped in fourteen of his seventeen points.  The game marked the fourth consecutive game where LSU's dynamic duo have both scored in double figures.

Anthony D. scored 11 to pace Texas.  His twin brother, Mark, added 6.

LSU will defend their three game winning streak against Villanova on Saturday in Peapack.

LSU Boys to Host Texas This Thursday

Right now, they are the team to beat.  Texas sits atop the 5th and 6th grade boys division with a perfect 3-0 record.  They bring that perfect record into the friendly confines of the Peapack-Gladstone Gym, a location that has dashed the championship hopes of many a Chester team over the years.  LSU boasts a 2-1 record after winning two games by margins of 27 and 11 in the past week.  LSU will be without the services of guard Nick Liccardi, who is on the disabled list after a skiing accident.  Tip-off is at 7:15.

This Week in LSU Basketball

Practice:  Wednesday 4:30 to 5:30 at the Peapack-Gladstone Gym.  We are preparing to play an undefeated team, so attendance is very important.

Game #4:  Thursday 7:15 PM versus Texas.  Texas is undefeated, so we need to show up at 7:00 pm ready to run.  

Game#5:  Saturday 11:45 AM versus Villanova.  Please arrive by 11:30 AM ready to play hard.

LSU Basketball: "The Posse"

Since we have ten players on the LSU basketball team, Coach Pat and I have divided the team into two squads.  Even though one squad (The "tip-off squad") always starts the game, these are not "starters" in the traditional sense of the word.  The two squads are designed to be equal.

The Tip-off Squad plays the first four minutes of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters.  Then comes "The Posse".  The Posse plays the second four minutes of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Why are they called "The Posse"?  

The dictionary defines posse as "a group of people summoned by a sheriff to aid in law enforcement."  Most of us are familiar with the term from Cowboy movies and old Westerns.  The posse is a bunch of men on horseback summoned in an emergency to find and stop the bad guys or to rescue someone in need.

When our posse comes into the game off of the bench, they bring high energy into the game.  They are the good guys who are brought into the game in a time of need to beat the opponent.  And so far they have done a great job.

The leader of The Posse is Walter Rivas, who is known for his ability to steal the ball from the opponent and start a fast break.  His deputies are Forward Miles Kenny and Guards Liam McGonegal, Noah Kleitsch and Jake Wagner, who have shown that they have the speed and the determination to keep the opponent from scoring.

Rivas Helps LSU to Vicotry

Walter Rivas scored in double figures for the third time in three games.  Walter scored 11 points.  His most important points came in the first quarter when Will was taken out of the game due to a bloody nose.  Walter took control of both ends of the court, scoring 5 points in the quarter to lead LSU to a a 6-3 first quarter lead.

After Will Howes returned to the game, LSU never surrendered its lead.  All nine LSU players played intense defense.

Ryan Lane dominated under the boards and scored five points.  He drove a much larger defender crazy.  That defender fouled out of the game.  Noah Kleitsch added four points for LSU.  Will Howes led the way with 19, including three buckets from beyond the arc.

Final score:  LSU 39, Marquette 28.  LSU improves to 2-1 on the young season.

Town Team Update: P-G Beats Readington 42-21

When the Peapack-Gladstone Town Team squared off against the Readington Runnin' Rebels on Wednesday, we proved that teamwork wins games.  All nine P-G players who played scored at least one point.

But it didn't come easy at first.  The boys fell behind 11-3 in the first quarter.  They turned the tide in the second quarter with some white-hot defensive intensity.  Devon Levine made two big defensive stops that got the P-G fast break going.  From there it was all down hill.  P-G outscored Readington 39-10 over the last three periods.

Will Howes led the balanced P-G scoring attack with 10 points

LSU Beats Louisville Behind Balanced Attack

LSU spread the ball around today.  Seven players scored.  Three of them scored in double digits as LSU beat a hsutling Louisville 41-14.

LSU fast-breaked their way to a 10-2 lead four minutes into the game, and never looked back.  A tough LSU defense led to a fast break offense as Ryan Lane dominated the boards and Walter Rivas forced turnover after turnover.  LSU built its lead to 25-10 at the half.

In the second half, LSU went to their "Bermuda Triangle" defense, and stopped Louisville cold in the third quarter.  Louisville was shut out 10-0 in the third quarter.  With the game in hand, LSU slowed the game down in the fourth quarter.

Walter Rivas led the team with 13 points.  Will Howes and Ryan Lane each scored 10.  Also chipping in important buckets:  Noah Kleitsch, Murphy LaFerle, Nick Liccardi and Miles Kenny.

LSU Loses Opener by a Bucket

LSU met their cross-town rivals Notre Dame yesterday at the Peapack-Gladstone Gymnasium.  The game could not have been closer.  Notre Dame led most of the game.  LSU came out strong in the fourth quarter, and surged to a five point lead.  Notre Dame was down, but not out.  They came back to take a 36-32 lead with less than a minute left.  LSU hit a late bucket to pull to 36-34.  Will "the Thrill" Howes fired up a long three-pointer at the buzzer to go for the win, but it bounced off of the rim.

Andrew Martin paced Notre Dame with 17 points.  Devon Levine added 10.

Will Howes led LSU with 20 points.  Walter Rivas chipped in 10 points.

But most impressive was the LSU defense.  All ten LSU players contributed to the effort.  Most impressive was Nick Liccardi.  In the second half, Nick Liccardi guarded the Notre Dame Center, Andrew Martin, who is nearly twice Nick's size.  Nick used his speed and his strength to keep Andrew from getting to the basket.  Great job Nick.

Welcome to LSU Basketball!

Welcome to the LSU Boys 5th and 6th Grade Basketball Team.  We play in the Chester Basketball League.  There are six teams in our division.  There will be ten regular season games.  Whoever has the best record at the end of the regular season will win a championship trophy.  There will be a post season tournament.  Whichever team wins the post season tournament will also win a championship trophy.

Our coaches are Coach Pat Colicchio and Coach Tim Howes.  This is Coach Pat's first year as a coach in the Chester League.  This is Coach Tim's sixth season.

LSU is short for Louisiana State University.  The mascot for LSU is the Tiger.  The real life LSU is located in Baton Rouge Louisiana.  LSU has a great sports program.  Two of the greatest players who ever played college and professional basketball played for the LSU basketball team.  Have you heard of them?  Their names are Shaquille O'Neal ("Shaq") and Pete Maravich ("Pistol Pete").