New York City is often referred to as the Basketball Mecca of the World. Some of the top players in the country come from the streets of New York.

Four boys ages nine and 10 from the Oyster Bay East Norwich area went to NYC to see just how good the basketball really was. Philip Kautzman, Peter Janssen, Patrick McWalters and Conor Sheehy entered the New York City World Tour Hoop It Up 3 on 3 street basketball tournament held in the caverns of Wall Street.

The boys who all attend Saint Dominic's Elementary School named their team the BayHawks and sported Saint Dom's team jerseys. The team was coached by Philip Kautzman Sr. and his close advisors Rich McWalters and Peter Janssen Sr.

The BayHawks managed to roll into the championship round of the 10-year-old division undefeated to meet the Chargers of Staten Island. The two teams had met during the two day tournament with the BayHawks winning on a buzzer beating basket from Kautzman. During the championship game the lead changed hands often. Both teams showed signs of brilliance. Janssen was unstoppable at times taking advantage of his athleticism and aggressiveness. Sheehy, with uncanny basketball skills for his age, proved difficult for the competitors to figure out. McWalters dominated the boards and Kautzman used his dribbling skills to penetrate larger slower defensive opponents. The Chargers were, however, looking for revenge and were ultimately not to be denied. The game went into overtime with the BayHawks losing to the Chargers by two points.

The BayHawks were honored with plaques naming them the NYC Hoop It Up Runners Up for the 10-year-old division.

Congratulations to these local warriors for an incredible effort.