Today the RENS 5th grade team defeated the Gladiators in the Children's Aid Society Marc Stevens Memorial Basketball Tournament. Down 13 to 18 start of the 4th quarter, Assistant Coach Dytrell Bracey made a key adjustment that lead into a 10 to 4 run. With 5 seconds left our team hit a floater down lane to send the game in overtime. From there our team grabbed every rebound and blocked every shot that was taken.
5th Grade Rens Crowned National Champions 7/21/13 - 09:32 PM
Coaches Tony Rodriguez, Eddie Gonzales and Anne Pinto with their AAU Champion On Point Rens
The Rens 11-year-old 5th grade team captured the Division II National AAU Championship in Cocoa Beach, Florida, yesterday when they defeated Alabama Steel, a sharp-shooting quintet from Birmingham 46-38 in the finals. Coach Tony Rodriguez' team swept through the tournament, beating teams from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Wisconsin on the way to the chip. The On Point Rens' victory was even more remarkable since the team was essentially put together this year by On Point leader, Anne Pinto. The champions were led by sterling point guard Abdias "Speedy" Carcamo and rebounding phenom Jaheim Young. Rodriguez' pressing defense and crisp ball movement paid off as starters Keyshaun Leslie, Ali Saunderson and Da'Reese Mitchell, along with long-range marksman sixth man Luke Klores got under the skin of all their opponents. The On Point Rens bench really came through. Newcomer big man Richard Springs improved each game. Swingmen Nicky Molina and Griffin Frankel stood out for their great court awareness. Guards Naghi Pickering and JC Medina gave the opposition fits, and bruising forward Antonio Gerbino provided crucial rebounding help. Rens founder Dan Klores said, "This is a remarkable achievement for the kids, coaches, parents and NYC basketball community. Personally, I'm grateful to all of them. The Nationals are always a rigorous experience. We won because everyone held together on and off the court. It was a lot of fun."
5th Grade Rens to Play for National Chip 7/20/13 - 09:42 AM
The 11-year-old 5th grade Rens are on the road to victory, playing for the national championship today in Cocoa Beach, FL. The team has plowed through the competition this week, winning all six games in their DII division. They are scheduled to play Alabama Steel, the Birmingham quintet, this afternoon. Go On Point Rens!
Rens Teams Dominate Finals of AAU Regionals 5/28/13 - 10:49 AM
Coach Anne Pinto and her 11U Regional champs
Three Rens teams hit an historic trifecta yesterday at Hempstead’s Island Garden, capturing first place in their respective National District Qualifiers. Coach Anne Pinto’s 5th grade 11U squad is heading to Cocoa Beach, FL, in July as New York’s top team after besting House of Sports Elite. Coach Billy Council’s 7th grade 13U team defeated a tough opponent in the Milbank Flyers 64 – 58 to get the region’s number one seed in their D1 Nationals coming up in June in Memphis. And the 8th grade 14U quintet, helmed by Coach Hector Almodovar, beat New Heights 63 – 54, capturing the top berth in their mid-July D1 Nationals in Orlando. Coach Steve Harris’ 12U crew finished second to New Heights, dropping in a nail-biting two-point decision. Quite a Memorial Day weekend for the less-than-two-years-old Rens. Congrats to all.
11U Rens Demolish Competition at AAU District Championships 5/7/13 - 09:29 PM
Coach Anne Pinto’s 5th grade squad had no trouble at last weekend’s AAU District Championships, trouncing through their competition during pool play and playoffs, winning games by as much as 50+. Having decidedly qualified for the DII Nationals this summer in Cocoa Beach, FL, the team will meet House of Sports in the District Championship on Memorial Day at Island Garden where the 6th and 8th grade Rens will also play their district chips.
Coach Anne Pinto’s 5th grade Rens team won the chip of the Island Garden Super League on Sunday trouncing Rising Stars Gimpel 57 – 25 to complete their 14 – 1 season. The hometown Rising Stars team had no answer to the pressure Pinto’s young quintet applied. The On Point Rens keep winning and improving.
