Tynan Magic defeats the Tynan Warriors to win youth hoop league
On Friday, June 17, at the Tynan Community Center gymnasium, the Tynan Magic defeated the Tynan Warriors, 18-15, to capture the Under 12 co-ed instructional basketball league which was sponsored by the South Boston Community Development Foundation. SBOL’s playoff “MVP” was Michael “Noon-dog” Noonan. The defensive player of the league was Cailyn Noonan, the best behaved player was Dimitri “Mimi” Markos, the unsung hero was Mullen Byrne, and the most improved player was Keith Splaine.
The main goal of this league was to give inexperienced hoop enthusiasts a basic understanding of the sport in actual game situations. This league was helpful because overall the players improved from the beginning to the end of the season. They grasped a better understanding of the three second violation in the paint, and what was and wasn’t a foul. They learned how to line up at the free throw lane and about basic game violations, such as traveling, back-court, palming the ball, double dribbling, as well as out-of-bounds and in-bounds infractions. They were also occasionally cautioned by the referees that it was their job to play and not complain about the calls that did not go in their favor. They’ll eventually learn that giving game officials grief never benefits them in the long run.
In the first semi-final match-up played on Friday, June 10, the Tynan Magic eked out a hard fought victory against the Tynan Thunder, 21-19. Leading by eight points, the Thunder closed the gap but ran out of time. For the Tynan Magic, Brayden Buckley scored 7 points while Aiden Young and Mullen Byrne scored six points apiece. For the Tynan Thunder, Jerry O’Neill scored 10 points. In the second semi-final tilt, the Tynan Warriors came from behind and stunned the Tynan Bulls, 27-26. For the Tynan Warriors, Evan Markos was sensational as he netted 18 points. For the Tynan Bulls, Robert Wisnieski scored 16 points.
The championship game was exciting and the players focused. The Tynan Magic led at the half, 10-8. In the second half, they had an 18-8 lead. But the Tynan Warriors went on a 7-0 run late in the second half to close the gap to three, but unfortunately time was not on their side. The Tynan Magic went home as champions. For the Tynan Magic, Michael “Noon-dog” Noonan scored eight points while Mullen Byrne and Aiden Young had four points apiece. For the Tynan Warriors, Evan Markos scored 12 points.
Tynan Magic coach, Greg Lally, who is also the Tynan Community Center’s Athletic Director, was happy for his young group of hoopsters.
“They played hard all season and I’m glad they won the final game,” Lally said. “It was a good learning experience for them and hopefully as they move forward they can build on this. They were a good bunch of kids, very coachable and I enjoyed working with them.”
And finally a reminder:
Summer basketball begins soon and that means participating in the Boston Neighborhood Basketball League (BNBL) which begins in early July. Mayor Martin Walsh, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) have announced that registration is open for the 47th annual BNBL season which begins on Tuesday, July 5. The BNBL is the oldest municipal basketball league in the country and is open to both girls and boys. This league features a Pee Wee instructional league, ages 6 through 11, a 13 and under, a 15 and under, and an 18 and under league. Games are played at BCYF community centers and selected city parks throughout the city. The BNBL predicts that over 1,800 players on 174 teams will participate in this league at their 23 sites. The league provides a safe and happy outlet for youngsters during the summer to engage in positive physical activity.
In South Boston, the BNBL sites are the Tynan, Condon, and the Walsh Community Center gyms. For more information, contact staff at these local gyms or email Mike Mitchell at mike.mitchell@boston.gov or call 617-961-3083. To register online for the BNBL go to http://leagues.bluesombrero.com/bprd.
Pictured at the Tynan Community Center gym was the 2016 Tynan Youth League Finalists, the Tynan Warriors coached by Tynan Community Center Athletic Assistant, Sherike Morris. The players are: Evan Markos, Terry Markos, Dimitri “Mimi” Markos, Mario Blasi, Rocco Blasi, Jamili Price-Wade, Sean Reardon, Keith Splaine, and Mark Harris.
