Defense Sparks 11U Team To League Championship

The Green Hornets 11U select team set high goals of winning the county and going undefeated. While they didn't go 14-0, the 11U boys were still able to secure a spot in the finals with a 10-3 record and ultimately win the championship.

Under coaches Marshall Rumney and Patrick Connell, the team started 6-0 with an average victory margin of 15.5 points per game. Their recipe for success was playing suffocating half-court defense and using that to create offensive opportunities.

A 3-3 stretch tested the team as opponents played to their tendencies, but the Green Hornets 11U team made it to the final four, where they got contributions from all players to avenge an earlier loss to SRYA and win the title.

“We knew we had the chance to be good, with a good mix of talent and size, but the most impressive part about this group is their willingness to embrace change,” Rumney said. “We were in a tough stretch in the back half of the season, and our players spoke up, held each other accountable, and worked extremely hard each practice to make the necessary adjustments and improve on our weaknesses.”

Scoring was anchored by steady play from Brian Feldmaier, Chase Connell and Finn Fowler on the wing, and Harrison Rumney in the post. As the season progressed, standout efforts were put in from Rumney, Parker Jackson, Berk Acikgoz and Bennett Hilgartner.

The defense was led by Feldmaier, Connell, Jackson, Luke Rex and Connor Pollard.

“The best part about this team is their selfless play, with contributions from everyone, in every phase of the game, at different times throughout the season,” coach Rumney said. “It's a special group of players that all checked their ego at the door in exchange for team success, and remained focused on their team goals, and paid it off with their hard work.”