The New York Pride, a team based out of the city with mostly Queens players, won the 17-and-under Division II Tournament in Orlando, Fla. and placed second in the 16-and-under Division Tournament in Houston.
Mike Marin from St. Francis Prep High School and Ryan Eisner from Bayside High School took on lead roles to lift the team to the championship games.
“We did really well,” said head coach Mitch Eisner, a Bay Terrace resident.
In Houston, Marin hit two clutch free throws to defeat the powerhouse Georgia Stars, who were projected to win it all. The victory placed the Pride in the championship game against the North Carolina Disciples.
In that game, the Pride entered the fourth quarter trailing by 14 points. Eisner sparked a torrid comeback with five steals and four points to quickly close the gap to within two, but it was not enough to win the championship. The team finished the trip to Houston by going 8-2.
In Orlando, the Pride won the 17-and-under National Championship. Despite being labeled 17 and under, the team is mostly comprised of boys ages 16 and under. The road to the finals was difficult for this undersized, youthful bunch. Coaches Chuck Weisenfeld and Eisner said they never dreamed they would be playing for the National Championship against a team from Joliet, Ill. with five Division I prospects.
Molloy standout Vinny Falzone scored 27 to lead the Pride to the championship game. Craig Davis from Martin Van Buren High School scored 20 and grabbed 15 rebounds in the second half, while Bayside guard Ryan Eisner chipped in with 17 points.
Queens’ standouts Andrew Cashin of St. Francis Prep, George Kunkel, Mark Debono, Horace Keifer and Horace Greeley of Molloy contributed greatly in many of the games. Rounding out the team are John Gooden of Cardinal Hayes and Robert West of Bayside.
The Pride had a tremendous AAU season with a local record of 45-5 and 16-2 in the national circuit. Most of the team is expected to return next year.
