RSM Hawks Win Southern California Basketball Spring Tourney

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  and continued their winning ways by capturing the 7th grade NJB All-Net Southern California Spring Tournament. Fresh off the California Sectional Title

Back row:  Nick “The Slick” Montes, Isaac “Slim PT Montes, Roman “Schwarzenegger” Kafentzis;  Eric “Big E” Reed, Jeff “Reedy” Reed

Front row: Trevor “Jonesy” Jones, Aryan “ D-Rose” Pourali, Adrease “Action” Jackson, Mike “Ping Pong” Matranga

Ranked number one in Southern California 7^thgrade basketball, the RSM Hawks went undefeated in the Spring League and cruised through the tournament by winning all three games by an average of 27 points per game.

First up for the Hawks were the undefeated Anaheim Hills Raiders with a front line of 6’3”, 6’2”, and 6’ while crushing their opponents by an average of 22 points,  they met a team in the Hawks that  not only could match their front court size, but also completely overwhelmed their back court in size.  5’10”  point guard Kafentzis and 5’9” shooting guard Jones were way too much for the Raiders guards to handle.

The Hawks full court press with the upfront guard pressure caused turnover after turnover resulting in  layups for the Hawks guards. Swingman Jackson was way too athletic and quick for the Raider’s big men as he sliced and diced his way to the basket for multiple 3 point plays. Flashy point guard Pourali came off the bench to lead the team with 12 assists. Hawk big men Reed, Matranga, and Montes controlled the boards and hit their guards with long outlet passes that were converted to easy fast break points as the Hawks cruised to a 69 to 41 victory. Jonesy lead the way with 29 points.

The next game featured a rival match up with the Capo Dana Stars led by 30 year veteran coach Ernie Knodel. Hawk 6’3” center Reed came out aggressive as Jones and Kafentzis went inside to connect with Reed for 12 first quarter points for a total of 18 for the game. Power forward Matranga was way too physical for the undersize Capo team to handle. Jones, Kafentzis and Pourali attacked the hoop time and time again for easy layups with the Hawks half court pressure defense. Backup center Montes came off the bench to dominate the boards and force Capo to be one and done on their offensive possessions. Capo suffered its  worst loss of the year as the Hawks crushed its southern rival 60 to 24. Action Jackson led the way with 25 points.

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The Sunday morning game against the La Mirada Matadors  was no different,  as the Hawk guards of Kafentzis and Jones pressure up front on the Hawk press and half-court trap were way too tough for the Matador guards to handle. Kafentzis nailed 5 three pointers in the first half along with 5 layups off of multiple steals for the Hawks to build a 25 point halftime lead. Jackson size and quickness inside in the second half proved to be too much for the Matadors to mount any kind of a comeback as the Hawks won the Championship with a score of 61 to 43. 

Roman ”Schwarzenegger” Kafentzis lead the way with a tournament high 34 points while averaging 13.4 steals per game.   The All-Tournament Team featured the starting five of the Hawks, Matranga, Jackson, Jones, Reed, and Kafentzis.