The Manhasset All-Stars boys 12 and under basketball team just completed a major part of their mission, to become one of the top basketball programs in the Metropolitan New York/New Jersey area.

On the weekend of June 12-13, the All-Stars were invited to participate in the Staten Island Lightning Invitational Tournament. Based on team experience, the All-Stars were seeded last. Not only did they defeat the two top teams from New Jersey, they also defeated the host team, Staten Island Lightning.

After closing out the Island Garden Spring League undefeated at 8-0 on June 16, the All-Stars entered the Long Island Lightning Invitational Tournament (at the Island Garden) on the weekend of June 18-20. They faced stiff competition from teams such as the Bayside "Rising Stars," Long Island "Roadrunners," North Babylon "Bulldogs," Staten Island "Lightning" and the host team, the Long Island "Lightning."

After defeating the "Rising Stars" on Friday night, the All-Stars had to endure a grueling four game odyssey that began at 8 a.m., Saturday morning.

By the end of the day, the All-Stars had to battle the tournament favorite (North Babylon "Bulldogs" and one of the National AAU New York representatives, Staten Island "Lightning" in back to back games. The All-Stars defeated both teams and won the tournament. It was a very long and satisfying day for coach Sly Johnson and his players.

To close out the month of June 25-27, the All-Stars entered the "hot bed" of basketball in New York City, the Gauchos Gym (Bronx) to take part in the Gauchos Invitational Tournament. Johnson knew this would be the ultimate test for his team. "With the level of competition we just wanted to be competitive." This tournament had teams from Harlem, New York City and the Bronx participating. After winning the first game on Friday night, the All-Stars fell into third place by the end of the day on Saturday. "Our kids have a lot of heart and they showed it by defeating the team from Harlem in overtime after trailing by six points with less than three minutes left in regulation time. They went on to lose to the Gauchos in the championship game. Johnson remarked, "Finishing second to the best team in New York is not a bad thing."

Johnson (who works for the North Shore-LIJ Health System Human Resources Department), notes that his program has only been in existence since the fall of 1998. He credits a huge portion of the All-Stars' success to his instructor/manager Rich Turcios. Rich played professional basketball overseas and his training techniques and preparation has been vital to the rapid success the players have made.

Johnson states, "The kids work very hard" and the results are evident. Jim Judge (director of the CYO program at St. Mary's), was also helpful in the advancement of the team. After reading our first article about the All-Stars, Jim noticed that the team did not have a practice site. Jim and Sly connected and through his efforts, the All-Stars are able to practice one day a week.

Sly would like to thank all the contributors who help with their fund-raising efforts. The team now has home and away uniforms and bags.

Up Next for the All-Stars

A basketball game at Madison Square Garden, Aug. 15, 1 p.m.

The All-Stars fund-raising efforts for league fees, tournament fees and insurance are ongoing.

Any and all contributions are welcome. Make checks payable to: Manhasset All-Stars basketball program and send to 14 South Cherrybrook Place, Great Neck, NY 11020.