BAMS Wins Middle School Basketball Championship

-- From Chris Smith, recreation specialist for the City of San Clemente

Six baskeball teams came from five local middle schools ready to play and bring home the trophy for their school, with family and friends cheering them on.

Each team in the March 26 tournament was seeded based on their regular season record, with the Vista Del Mar Red team sitting in first place, but the rival Bernice Ayer group in the hunt. While these two teams had clearly been dominant all season long, none of the other four teams gave them any slack.

Newcomers to the league, Capistrano Beach Christian School, came out without a regular season victory and really, new to the sport overall, pulling together two great wins to put them one game away from playing for a spot in the final. Though they were defeated in that match up by Shorecliffs Grey team, they walked away with heads held high and excitement for the next season.

Surprisingly, Shorecliffs Blue team and Vista Black, who really came together throughout the season, were defeated in their first two games. They have a lot to be proud of though and both teams will be even better next season.

The final game came down to Vista Red and Bernice Ayer, as had been anticipated. Bernice was undefeated in the regular season, until they met up with Red, facing their only regular season defeat by two points. The two teams met early in the tournament, with BAMS dealing Red their first defeat.

Red then played a tough semi final game against Shorecliffs Grey, defeating them by only a few points, to end up in the final game. It was back and forth, with Red leading the first half, knocking down three three-point shots and looking strong.

But with a deep bench, BAMS wouldn’t be denied the tournament championship and through solid teamwork, aggressive defense and a "no surrender" attitude, they came back in the second half to pull out the win by two points.

A great end to a great season!