Phoenix 5th Grade Boys basketball team finished in second place in the "Hoops Madness" tournament in Trumbull and Newtown on November 2nd and 3rd.
The two day event was played at Insports in Trumbull and Newtown Youth Academy. The tourney featured seven teams from around Connecticut.
Phoenix got off to a rough start losing to Premier Hoops Development II by a score of 36-30.
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Phoenix fell behind 22-9 at the half as a result of too many turnovers.
The second half was a different story as Phoenix outscored PHD 21-8. The losing margin of only six points worked out in Phoenix's favor because the three teams in their pool won one game apiece and Phoenix was able to advance to the semi-final round by the point differential tie-breaking rules.
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Phoenix downed CT Elite II in the second game of the tourney by a score of 56-34. The large margin of victory helped Phoenix finish first in their bracket and advance to the semis.
Tristan Joseph led Phoenix with 9 points, including a 3-pointer. He also had 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
Derric Andrews scored 8 points and had 3 steals and a blocked shot.
Logan Troeger picked up 6 points and had 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a tipped ball which resulted in a Phoenix possession.
Ethan Fox scored 4 points and had a steal.
Sam Hadlow hit a field goal, had 5 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist.
Zarek Swetye was 1 for 2 from the foul line, and had a rebound and an assist.
Evan DeVita got 3 defensive rebounds, 2 steals and tipped 2 balls to help Phoenix get a couple extra possessions.
Teddy Brennan had a defensive rebound, but was injured midway through the game and sat out much of the second half.
Gavin Connolly played up a division, but handled the ball well and showed he can run with the older kids.
Jack Buckner played in his first Phoenix tournament. His flashes of athletic brilliance foreshadowed some of the big plays he would make later in the tourney. He also had a rebound and a steal.
Phoenix's next game was against CT Elite II. Phoenix completely dominated from start to finish. The big win put the other Connecticut teams on alert that there is a new team in town and they are playing to win.
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