Timothy Edwards Middle School Boys Basketball Wins League Championship

The Timothy Edwards Middle School boys basketball team won the Connecticut River Athletics League championship Wednesday, beating East Hartford Middle School 53-44.

Shane Young set the tone early with 13 points in the first quarter, en route to a game-high 20 points. Teammate Kewan Smoot filled the state sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists.

Mike Foley's clutch 3-point shot in the fourth quarter put the Cougars up by double digits, and they never looked back.  

Brandon Leclerc's defense continually gave the East Hartford team problems and he forced multiple turnovers.

The team comprised captains Shane Young, Brandon Leclerc, Ben Flynn and Derrell Jacobs, as well as 8th graders Kewan Smoot, Tyler Ptachinski, Sam Baum, Mike Foley, 7th graders Will Pineo, Jake Glezens, Matt Veretto, Mike Bazzano, Jimmy Tamburro and 6th grader Zach Donahue.

TEMS went 9-3 on the year.

"We have come a long way from the firs day of practice back in November," coach Travis Edwards said in an e-mail. "Our defensive pressure has been the key to our success all season and it was the difference in the game today. I'm so proud of these guys and the effort the put on the court."