Game 7 Sharks ELITE

Game 7 Sharks ELITE has officially completed Phase II of their intense sumer schedule. The Sharks had strong runs in the Super Showcase, End of Summer Classic, and Hamilton Park Summer League.

Super Showcase

On July 24th, the Sharks went to war with the EA Prep Stars (NC) in the first game of the Super Showcase in Orlando, FL. The game did not start off the way the Sharks hoped, as the Prep Stars jumped out to an early 14-6 lead. Jack Donnelly (6'0'', G, 2012, Rumson-Fair Haven) was able to get going late in the first quarter and keep the Sharks in the game offensively. Donnelly had a big first half and finished the game with 19 points. RJ Bohnert (6'1'', G, 2012, Shore Regional) also had a big first half, scoring six points in transition. The Sharks took a one point lead at halftime behind a big second quarter from Hunter Wysocki (6'6'', G, 2012, Colts Neck). Wysocki did a little bit of everything for the Sharks and finished the game with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. A back and forth second half saw the Prep Stars take a three point lead with 15 seconds left. On the Sharks final possession, Bobby Brackett (6'7'', F, 2012, Lawrence) drained a three-pointer from the left wing to tie the game up. The Prep Stars got one final look at the basket, but Jason Huelbig (6'4'', G, 2012, Middletown North) took a charge on a Prep Star player drive to force overtime. In the first overtime period, the Prep Stars had a three point lead with five seconds left, but an Eric Youncofski (5'10'', G, 2012, Middletown North) off the dribble three-pointer at the buzzer forced the second overtime period. The Sharks found their second wind, and were able to put the game away 77-69 in the second OT. 

In the second game of the day, the Sharks battled ACB Bank Hoops (MI), who featured five Division I players. ACB Hoops was led by Class of 2012 top-50 recruit and Michigan State commit 7'0'' Matt Costello (7'0'', F, 2012, Bay City Western (MI)). The featured matchup was Wagner-bound Mike Aaman (6'8'', F, 2012, Raritan) battling Costello inside. Aaman played through foul trouble the whole game and finished the game with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Bill Wrightson (6'9'', F, 2012, Toms River North) used his big body to make things tough for the oppositions bigs. A Huelbig coast to coast and-1 finish with the left hand gave the Sharks a three point lead at the end of the first half. The Sharks and ACB battled fiercely in the second half, which was arguably the most physical half of basketball in the tournament. ACB took control of the game and a two point lead with 30 seconds remaining. Brackett once again stepped up when the bright lights were on, and converted a tough power move inside to tie the game. ACB hit a deep two-point jumper to give them the lead with four seconds left. The Sharks were forced to go the full length of the court. After a timeout, the Sharks designed a play for Mr. Clutch Wysocki to get the ball. Wysocki caught the ball at halfcourt and had to go one-on-one with Costello. Wysocki drove full speed to his left and converted the bucket over the outstretched arms of the Michigan State-bound 7-footer  right before the buzzer. Just like when he hit the game winner against the Westchester Warriors (NY) at the Philly Jam Fest, Wysocki proved that he is one of the most clutch players in the state who has no fear of taking the big shot. Wysocki would finish the game with 15 points and 9 rebounds. After a back and forth overtime period, the Sharks dropped the battle, 62-67.

On July 25th, the Sharks had an early morning showdown with the Tennessee Tigers. The Sharks jumped out to a quick 13 point lead early in the first half. Aaman was a dominant force inside. The Wagner-bound post man finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Jim Dzugan (6'5'', F, 2012, Middletown South) also had a strong game, finishing with 10 points.  The highlight of the game was a Youncofski steal and no-look pass to Aaman for a thunderous finish. Youncofski finished the game with 12 assists. The Sharks prevailed, 65-58. The Sharks took second place in their pool, and advanced to the playoffs. They were knocked off by a very good Middlesex Magic (MA) team that featured Boston Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge's son.

End of Summer Classic

On July 31st the Sharks took to Albright College in Albright, PA, for the End of Summer Classic. The Sharks started off the one day tournament with a quarterfinal game against JB Hoops (PA). JB Hoops knocked the Sharks off in a previous encounter, and the Sharks were highly motivated and looking for revenge in this contest. The Sharks came out firing, with a Youncofski alley-oop pass to Aaman to begin the game. That was followed by Donnelly knocking down two deep three-pointers. A Youncofski to Brackett alley-oop feed put the Sharks up double digits early in the first half. Wysocki displayed his versatility in front of many college coaches in the first half. He dropped off a nice no-look dish to a cutting Aaman for a thunderous dunk. Immediately after that, Youncofski stole the ball and threw a half-court pass to him. Wysocki rose up off of two-feet to catch the ball in mid-air and finished the alley-oop with a monster two-handed dunk. The Sharks closed the game out with a 71-58 victory.

The Sharks squared off with Sportsfest Achievers (PA) in the semifinal contest. Sportsfest Achievers took a six point lead into halftime, but the Sharks regrouped and came out in top form in the second half. Huelbig went on a 10-0 run by himself that included two three-pointers, two steals, and two breakaway dunks. Tim Frawley (6'4'', G, 2012, Middletown North) had a monster second half. Frawley scored 13 points in the second half alone, finishing the game with 18 markers. The Sharks advanced to the title game with a 66-58 victory.

The Sharks lost in the championship game to a super athletic Team Exodus NYC (NY). Team Exodus jumped the Sharks early by gaining a double digit lead. The Sharks cut it down to six in the second half, but Exodus held on to knock off the Sharks. Aaman had a strong game, finishing with 24 points, including two monster dunks on Exodus defenders.

Hamilton Park Summer League

On August 1st, the Sharks picked up two wins in their final regular season games of the Hamilton Park Summer League in Jersey City, NJ. The Sharks defeated Bayonne High School, 57-22, and Samuel Gompers (NY), 57-46.

On August 4th, the Sharks kicked off playoff action with a rematch with Samuel Gompers in the Sweet 16. This one proved to be one of the more physical games of the summer. The Sharks were able to gain momentum going into the half behind strong first halfs from Frawley and Wysocki. However, Samuel Gompers, would not go away. They were able to keep the game close the whole second half with hot shooting from beyond the arc. With 20 seconds left the Sharks inbounded the ball to point guard Youncofski. Youncofski caught the high pass in mid-air, but was speared to the ground by a Samuel Gompers defender. In a very brutal scene, Youncofski was down on the floor for several minutes cut open and suffered a mild concussion. With all that, he got up and knocked down the two free throws to increase the Sharks lead to three. Following that, Samuel Gompers hit a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game. The Sharks called a timeout to draw up a final play for the win. After a missed Sharks jumper from the foul line, Youncofski caught the long offensive rebound deep on the right elbow. Never one to shy away from the big moments, Youncofski once again stepped up and knocked down the game winning jumper to give the Sharks the 50-48 win.

The Sharks advanced to the Elite 8 on August 5th, where they faced the #1 team in the world, the St. Anthony Friars. Huelbig had a strong first quarter, hitting two three-pointers and scoring in transition. The Sharks closed the first quarter out with 18-15 advantage. St. Anthony's found some momentum in the second quarter and entered the half with a two point lead over the Sharks. A back and forth third quarter followed as the Sharks pounded the ball inside to Aaman, Brackett, and Wysocki for buckets. Aaman highlighted the game with a drop step two-handed dunk on three defenders. He would finish the game with 18 points and 15 rebounds. St. Anthony's, however, would hold on for the win and defeat the Sharks by eight points.

The game closed out a GREAT summer for Game 7 Sharks ELITE as they brought the program to new heights. They are back in action this fall at the Fall Jam Fest and Hall of Fame Philadelphia Championship.