RSM Hawks 7th Grade Record-Setting win earns a pass to the 2012 National Tournament.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA - The 7th grade RSM Basketball Hawks entered the Southern California All-Net Super Sectionals riding an 11 game winning streak while winning their division with a 12 and 2 record with a, a chance to advance to the All-Net National Tournament  March 23rd thru 26th.

First Hawks riding the red hot shooting of guards Roman “Swartzenegger” Kafentzis; Trey “AC” Green; Trevor “Jonesy” Jones; Zach “Magic” Ota; Aryan”D-Rose” Pourali  who combined for 48 of the Hawks 54 points upset  the Red Pumas team.

TOP ROW:COACH REED,ERIC REED,COACH MONTES

                  MIDDLE ROW: TREVOR JONES, ROMAN KAFENTZIS, MIKE MATRANGA, ISAAC MONTES

                 BOTTOM ROW: TREY GREEN, ARYAN POURALI,ADREASE JACKSON,  JUSTIN MCCALLOP

The #2 seed Hawks awoke early Sunday morning  to learn that their next opponent was  # 1 seed  and  # 1 in the nation, the Yorba Linda Pumas Black Team. . The Hawks came out firing on all cylinders with their 3 point shooting with Jonesy, Swartz, and AC picking apart the pressure defense of the Pumas and building an early 14 point lead. The seasoned Pumas coaching staff switched to a three-quarter trapping defense causing trouble for the Hawks who turned the ball over 4 consecutive times allowing the Pumas back in the game. Veteran coaches Reed and Montes quickly spaced the floor allowing the taller Hawks guards to find Action Jackson over the top for several layups to build back the lead to 7 points with 1:20 to go in the game. The bus loads of Puma Fans remained on their feet encouraging the veteran Pumas who quickly trimmed the lead to 5 with 22 seconds left. The Pumas were forced to foul the Hawks hoping for misses and hoping to extend the game. Their wishes were granted as the Hawks missed 2 consecutive front ends of 1 and 1s,  which were quickly converted to layups on the other end to cut the lead to one with 8 seconds left. The Hawks quickly inbounded the ball to be fouled with 7 seconds left on the clock. Another foul shot was missed, but the Hawks  center 6’3” leading rebounder Eric” Big E “ Reed grabbed the rebound with 6 seconds left and hit a critical free throw to put the Hawks up by two. The 2nd fell short, while Hawks point guard Swartzenegger muscled his in for another crucial  Hawk rebound and hit one of two sending the # 1 ranked team in the Nation home. The Hawks prevailed with of 51 to 48 victory and a trip to the sectional finals.

The Hawks were matched up against the defending National Champs the San Clemente Tritons. Hawks power forward Ping Pong Matranga came out aggressive grabbing 6 early rebounds and converting multiple pick and rolls to get the Hawks off to a good start. The Hawks size and speed proved to be too much for the Tritons as Hawks 5’11” Isaac “ Slim PT” Montes and speedy guard Justin “Big Game” McCallop came off the bench in the second half to spark the Hawks.  D-Rose Pourali brought the Hawks roaring crowd of 1200 to their feet with his flashy passing as the Tritons tried to bring more pressure. Hawk guards AC, Jonesy, and Swartzenegger were too much for the under sized Triton guards as they continued to unselfishly find each other for converted 3 point shots. The 3 guards combined for 15 3’s as the Hawks cruised to a 44 to 18  victory.

Hawk shooting guard Trevor” Jonesy” Jones celebrated his 13 birthday weekend by setting a California Sectional record with 16 three point field goals. Point guard Roman “ Swartzenegger” Kafentis also set a tournament record with 23 steals. The 3 big men of Eric “ Big E “ Reed, Adrease “ Action” Jackson and Mike” Ping Pong” Matranga dominated the boards grabbing a combined 84 rebounds yet setting another tournament record.

The California Sectional Championship earned the Hawks a # 1 seed from the West with the Nationals being held March 23rd thru 26th.

Contact  Team Reported Ben Jackson at 949-683-0440 for advanced ticket and travel plans. The team and spectator buses will be leaving Tesoro High School on March 23rd. Tickets will going fast.

If you would like to make a comment about a specific news article, editorial or commentary and have it considered for publication in the CotoBuzz Journal as a Letter, Photo or Video Clip  to the Editor, please send it to buzz@cotobuzz.com --- or mail to Letters to the Editor, c/o CotoBuzz, P,O. Box 154, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678 Letters should be brief, and may be edited for clarity and length. All material become the property of CotoBuzz Journal  and may be republished in any format. Please include your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number (your number will not be published).