14U BARNSTORMERS RESULTS FROM 15 & UNDER AAU STATE


AMES, Iowa --  The 14 and Under Barnstormers basketball team was in Des Moines on March 18-19 for the 15 and Under AAU State Tournament.  Center Nick Wilson and guards Tayler Bontrager, and Kellen Sweeney would all miss the tournament due to spring break conflicts.  Despite playing without several of their key players and playing "up" an age group, the 14U 'Stormers competed hard in the tournament.

Game #1:  Washington Warriors 15U (58), Barnstormers 14U (39)

The weekend-opener for the ‘Stormers had them pitted against the older and stronger freshman team from Cedar Rapids Washington.  The 14U 'Stormers weren't ready for the test, and didn't come out with the kind of energy or sense of urgency needed when playing up an age level.  Washington got off to a blazing start in the game, and never looked back.

Center Jon Musser finished with a team-high 9 points.  Alex Coleman, a 6'3" freshman forward from Cedar Rapids Prairie, joined the team for the weekend and led the team with 8 rebounds. Will Roth added 8 points 7 rebounds.

Game #2:    Martin Brothers 15U (69), Barnstormers 14U (50)

In the ‘Stormers second game, they were matched up against last year's 14U State Champions, Martin Brothers.  After losing a tough game a few hours earlier, this time the 'Stormers came ready to play.  The Martin Brothers team came out very aggressive and opened a 10 point lead, but the 'Stormers fought back to tie the game with 30 seconds left in the first half before Zach Bohannon of the Martin Brothers hit a buzzer beater to take a 3 point lead into halftime.  Despite continuing to fight in the second half, the 'Stormers ran out of gas and the older Martin Brothers team pulled away in the end.

Jon Musser, Will Roth, and guard Tyler Putz led a balanced 'Stormers effort with 9 points each.  Roth, Alex Coleman, and forward Jon Keller each added 5 rebounds in the losing effort.

Game #3:  Ames Cyclones 15U (53), Barnstormers (59)

After finishing 0-2 in pool play, the 14U 'Stormers had to face the 2-0 15U Ames Cyclones team in the first round of tournament play.  Despite the odds being against them, the 'Stormers came out and played their best basketball of the tournament.  Forward Jon Keller came out aggressively, putting the 'Stormers on his back and scoring the first 9 points of the game.  The game was close down to the wire, but with the Cyclones holding a 4 point lead with a minute to go, the Barnstormers had to foul to stop the clock.  The Cyclones hit their free throws, and went on to win by 6.

Swingman Isaac Gardner led the Stormers with 16 points, including 4 three pointers.  Keller added 14 points, and Alex Coleman was also in double figures with 10.  Jon Musser added 7 points and 7 rebounds.  Guard Josh Oglesby returned from a foot injury to add 2 points in the loss.

The Barnstormers finished the weekend with older competition with a record of 0-3,  but learned some valuable lessons.  After a tough opening loss to the Warriors, the 'Stormers played some great basketball in their next two games against two of the better 15U teams in the state.  The Martin Brothers went on to place second in the tournament, while the Cyclones finished third.

The 14U 'Stormers next tournament is in Peoria, Illinois, for the Irish Tip-Off Classic.  Several top teams from the midwest are expected to be there, so it should be a great weekend of basketball.