Championship games close youth basketball season
The Anna Maria Island Community Center’s youth basketball season ended June 11 with championship games in four age divisions. There were no major upsets as each division champion also captured the regular-season title.
The only upset came in Division III where Agnelli Pool Services won its first game of the season when they defeated Anna Maria Oyster Bar 11-10 in their first-round playoff game to advance to the Division III championship game.
Any hope of a Cinderella story came crashing back to reality when Cortez Kat Charter’s Zach Fernandes walked into the gym shortly before tip-off time.
Fernandes dominated for the Kats, scoring 10 points on offense on the way to an 18-0 victory. Fernandes also came through on defense with 12 steals and four blocked shots. Joey Theil, Tori Walter, Anna Walter and Ava Zink finished with 2 points apiece in the victory.
The most exciting game of the playoffs may have been Agnelli Pool Services 11-10 upset win over Anna Maria Oyster Bar June 8. Agnelli players, who easily played their best game defensively, led 6-4 midway through the third quarter when Taro de Haan nailed a 3-pointer to give the Oyster Bar a 7-6 lead. Ben Barreda made one of two free throws to tie the score at 7-7 and a basket apiece from Barreda and Luke Marvin closed the game out for Agnelli.
The closest finale came in Division I, where Walter & Associates defeated A Paradise Realty 41-36 behind 18 points from Nehimiah Goode and 16 points from Seth Walter. Moriah Goode added 4 points, while Jack Walter completed the scoring with 3 points in the victory.
A Paradise Realty was led by Justin Aracena’s 16 points and 13 points from Cameron Brauner. Amanda Bosch, Reese Helvey and Alexandria Salinas finished with 2 points apiece, while Alexia Yavalar added one point in the loss.
A Paradise Realty advanced to the finals by defeating E Training Solutions 40-37 June 8, while Walter & Associates advanced by edging Eat Here 33-32 June 10.
Ross Built took the Division II title thanks to a 30-24 victory over Beach Bistro June 11. Ross built a 26-12 lead through three quarters before watching Beach Bistro rally, outscoring the champs 12-4 in the fourth quarter to make the game’s final score fairly close.
Andrew and Jake Ross scored 12 points apiece to lead Ross Built, which also received 6 points from Luke Valadie in the victory. Trent Boring led Beach Bistro with 11 points, while Michale Latimer added 9 points. Jordan Cooley and Matt Manger-DeNigirs each finished with 2 points in the loss.
Beach Bistro advanced to the finals by defeating Connie’s Landscaping 27-25, while Ross Built beat Southern Greens 28-23 in playoff games June 10.
Adam Bujarski poured in a game-high 30 points to lead LaPensee Plumbing past the Sun 56-47 and win the premier division championship June 11.
J.T. Goode chipped in 13 points, while Pearce Hogan added 9 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Ryan Gillman completed the LaPensee scoring with 4 points in the victory.
Julius Gomes led the Sun with 26 points, while Blake Wilson added 14.
The Sun advanced to the premier title game by defeating Dips Ice Cream June 6, while LaPensee Plumbing rolled past Rotten Ralph’s 50-39 June 8.
Chamber golf tourney on tap
The 12th annual Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce golf outing for youth scholarships is set for Sept. 26 at the Bradenton Country Club. Play will begin with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.
Cost for a single golfer is $125, which includes green fees, cart, awards dinner and a gift bag. For the non-golfers, attendance at the awards dinner for $35.
Businesses are invited to participate at four levels of sponsorship. The gold sponsor fee of $1,000 gets a business foursome in the tourney, while also allowing a banner at the event, as well as recognition in all media advertising and flyers.
A silver sponsor receives a foursome in the tourney and a sign at a tee box. You can also simply sponsor a tee box for $100 or a green for $50.
For more information, contact Linda Dickson or Mike Vejins at golf@amichamber.com or call the chamber at 941-778-1541.
Key Royale golf news
The Key Royale Club men played a nine-hole team scramble June 2. The team of Jerry Dahl, Ken Ricket, John Estok and Craig Humphries fired a 6-under par 26 to take first place.
The men played a two-best-balls-of-foursome match May 28. The team of Danny Hayes, Carl Voyles and Bob Elliott combined on an even-par 64 to take first place and earn clubhouse bragging rights for the day.
Horseshoe news
Sam Samuels was the only horseshoe player to achieve the required three pool-play wins and was the undisputed champion for the June 11 horseshoe games at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.
Samuels and Jerry Czech were the only team to earn three pool-play victories during June 8 horseshoe action and were the day’s outright champs. Joshua Slagh and Ron Pepka defeated dad Ron Slagh and Jerry Disbrow 21-10 to take second place on the day.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.