The Kyrie Irving-Rod Strickland Summer League concluded this past Sunday at I.S. 584 on St. Ann’s Avenue in the Bronx with five championship games. It marked the end of the 24th season for a tournament that has attracted programs and players from all of New York City’s boroughs, Westchester County, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The 8U-Itty Biddy division started the schedule with Riverside’s offense being too potent for the K/S All Stars to slow down. Paced by the game’s MVP Josiah Belfor, Riverside came away with a 38-9 win. Blake Goodall was the recipient of the Sportsmanship award.
Next up was the 9U-Itty Biddy matchup that saw the NY Lions come away with a tight 23-18 victory over team 914. The Lions’ Jydah Simmons’ solid performance led to MVP honors while Cayden Fortura was recognized with the Sportsmanship trophy.
Black Ops and the K/S All Stars battled in the Super Biddy championship with Black Ops edging its determined opponent 47-42. Jalen Chase and Tristan Williams garnered the MVP and Sportsmanship respectively.
The Biddy division came down to the final possessions. Led by MVP Amir Dockery, Fly High Elite nipped the Rising Stars 58-56. Ethan Nelson was the Sportsmanship honoree. The Rising Stars Midget division squad and Westchester Athletics closed out the tournament with the most closely contested game of the day as the Rising Stars came away with a gripping 47-46 win. Carter Wilson was a deserving MVP as was Taj Walters for Sportsmanship.