• Titans Prevail 18U Div.

    May 25, 2015 - The NY Titans and Markham FCCM Shake Hands Post an Action Packed Boys 18U Championship Game.
  • Canton China to Montreal

    May 25, 2015 - Canton United, Men’s 45+ Basketball Team Travels From Canton China to Play.
  • DOUBLE UP

    May 25, 2015 - Toronto CCYAA Captures Two Men’s Divisions Championships, 35+ & 45+.
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From its humble beginnings in 1999, the Men’s Senior 35+ Over division has always been about having fun and a having a good time while you are still able to play some hoops. This year’s Arizona tournament fielded eight teams and you could just tell that everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously as we witnessed a gigantic influx of families (wives and kids) at the tournament. There’s nothing better than having your kid watch you score that basket, steal that ball, or make a great hustle play. These are the types of memories you and your children will remember forever.

Now onto the tournament itself. Even before the first 800 am tip-off, there was an obvious favorite to capture the Men’s Senior 35+ championship. That favorite was the Toronto CCYAA Masters team led by 6 foot 4 inch perennial MVP Richard Zhu. Losing in the 2006 Semifinals to the NJ Pirates, and spoiling their opportunity to three-peat definitely motivated them to recapture the Championship in 2007. Hoping to play the role of spoiler once more, the 2006 Champion NJ Pirates expected to battle it out with Toronto again this weekend. But with only three returning starters making the trip out to Arizona (NACBA Top 25 pick Beaver Ho, Steve Lee, and Ted Hom), the task of repeating was going to be difficult.

With two groups of four teams each, the top two seeds after preliminary round play were the Toronto CCYAA Masters and the Chicago Dragons, both sitting pretty at 3-0. The other two teams advancing into the Medal Round were the Cali Run-n-Gun, and the NJ Pirates. The first Semifinal matchup saw the Toronto CCYAA Masters defeat the Cali Run-n-Gun in a fast paced game that you wouldn’t normally expect to see from players in this age group. But that’s just a testament to how much these guys love the game. The game was up for grabs at the half, with CCYAA leading 38-32, but Toronto managed to pull away in the second stanza 67-53. Richard Zhu had a typical day at the office as he shot an amazing 14-18 from the field and finished with 38 points. This guy makes everything look so easy. Stan Ong backed up his teammate with 14 points. Ted Jung was feeling it from the outside for Cali as he popped 4 longballs on his way to 16 points. Living legend Conant Chi added 12, and fellow NACBA Top 25’er Sammy Moy had 9 for the Run N Gun. In the other Semi, the NJ Pirates defeated the Chicago Dragons 35-33 in a hotly contested game. Forward Hak Lee and 2-guard Beaver Ho each had 13 for the Pirates, while James Chow led the Windy City with 8 points and 2 three’s. Jersey advanced to the title game with a chance to avenge an earlier loss to the Toronto CCYAA Masters in the prelims.

This title game was the matchup that everyone wanted to see. This was the second time these 2 teams would meet this tournament, as Toronto torched the nets during their 60-29 pool play win. The Championship is the time when you need your stars to really be stars. So right from the opening tap, Toronto went to their big three of Richard Zhu, Stan Ong, and Jeff Fong and sped out to a 30-15 halftime lead. The second half didn’t fare much better for the Pirates as MVP Zhu put his stamp on the game with 17 pts after the break and finished with 26. This was clearly Toronto’s day, as they won 64-36. All-tournament selection Stan Ong chipped in14 pts and post player Jeff Fong also dropped in 9 for the champs. For the NJ Pirates, all-tournament selection Beaver Ho netted 15 pts and Steve Lee finished with 9.

With three championships in the past four years, Toronto CCYAA definitely looks like they have a dynasty in the making. Will they repeat in 2008 or will a surprise team from Philly, DC or New York make a showing? Or maybe it could be Chicago, Boston or one of the other veteran laden teams? Also on the horizon for Philadelphia 2008 will be the fact that the tournament will be hosting its first Men’s Masters 45+ Over division in addition to the Men’s Senior 35+ Over division in attempt to expand the tournament and give everyone something to play for.

NACBA Basketball……….Play it for the LOVE OF THE GAME !!!


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