Minutemen Come Close to the Championship

By Michael Dzikowski

Competing for the first time ever on the Travel level, the Springfield 4th Grade Boys Travel Team did their best impression of the Dayton Boys Varsity basketball team as they entered the Garden State League Playoffs as a 5th seed and won 3 consecutive games to get to the Finals.  

Defeating higher seeds Morristown, Westfield, and #1 Seed New Providence (15-1) in a 29-27 nailbiter,  the "come back kids" from Springfield would now face an A Team foe in Cranford for the championship.

In front of a packed gym at FMG, Cranford would jump all over the seemly nervous Minutemen for a 22-7 halftime advantage.  But as they have done all season, the Minutemen would fight back. Led by a stingy half court trap and scoring by Mike Kanarek, Aiden Forys, Springfield would outscore Cranford 16 to 5 in the third quarter in what can only be described as a remarkable finish.  

With the score 38-40, Cranford's Demarino (who finished with 20 points) missed the free throw and Springfield's Aiden Forys drove the length of the court to the hoop to bank in the tying basket, as time expired, sending the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, with two players fouling out for the Minutemen and Cranford's Demarino continuing his outstanding play, Cranford went on to take the title 46-40. 

"I also would like to congratulate you on a few things, first and foremost and outstanding performance by your team on Saturday," said Cranford Coach Chapman afterward. "I know you came out of the five hole and had to knock off the top seed to get there, and now that I've witnessed how hard your team works, I can see how you pulled it off.

"You really had your guys ready and organized and did some great things on both ends of the floor. The rest of your squad was impressive too. I believe that game marks only the third time in 30 games this winter that we gave up 40 or more points. Congratulations on a great season, a great playoff run and a terrific performance in the championship game!"

This year's first ever 4th Grade Boys Travel Team finished the Garden State League with a 13-5 record.  Congratulations to team members Zach Abramovitz, Gavin Dzikowski, Mike Kanarek, Daivid Ares, Anthony Corigliano, Jeremy Greiss, Daniel Munoz, Alex Gary, Brandon Doren, Anthony Apicella, Aiden Forys, and Cole MeTernan.  Team was coached by Mike Dzikowski, David Ares, and Ted Kanarek.

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