AUF Allentown Hawks Soar at Heights

     The name suggests a soccer team thrilling European fans on a Saturday afternoon of action. The name is deceptive as AUF Allentown is a 12 and under AAU girls basketball team. Even their home base provides another image. This is not the Allentown (PA) of the Billy Joel song in the Eighties. The Allentown, the Hawks call home is in Central New Jersey.

       Opposing the Hawks in this Sunday morning at the Northeast Basketball Tournament was the Jersey Shore Elite. The two day tournament at Hasbrouck Heights High School in Northern New Jersey saw several boys and a girls division. My schedule Sunday morning called for three games. The third and final the girls, with the appropriate pink whistle. In this one, it turned out a one sided affair with the Hawks posting a 37-13 victory.

     The 'Elite' was in name only - the Jersey Shore (no relation to the reality show, thank God)  club was respectable but not the best of that area. Allentown got off to an early 10-0 start. The games were two 14 minute halves. Jersey Shore's first points were on a trey with four minutes to play in the half. The Shore club added another trifecta and trailed 'only' 14-6 at the half.

     The power of the three allowed Jersey Shore to be in a three possession game despite being almost dominated by their opponents the first half. The Hawks came out scoring early the beginning of the second half. That opened things up, created separation and basically sealed the verdict for the Hawks.

     Very late in the game a back up post player for Allentown gets the ball down low. She shoots and is hit on the arm as the ball is knocked out of bounds. Her team is up 21 and retains possession but the Allentown coach wants a foul. As they tell us in officiating clinics and camps in situations like these 'skip the misdemeanors, get the felonies'. Regardless, heading down court I did tell the coach he was right, she was fouled.

     A solid and impressive Allentown victory. Jersey Shore wound up on a very short end of the decision. They could take solace in knowing there was another game to play and opportunity for redemption a little later in the morning.

     Observations: Post game. Stopping for a cold one and coffee to go at a nearby Hooter's in Hackensack, a favorite with great hospitality. The small world network of officiating is evident here. I officiated Regina (serving at the bar) when she played high school soccer. Another server Jennifer played for basketball for Fort Lee High School and I had a few of her games. Finally, Nikki, ran track for Hasbrouck Heights, but I worked a few of her friends' soccer and basketball games. Small world of officiating indeed. Back to the notes between beverage and socializing....

   Thought both teams today used good judgment not pressing. AUF showed some 1-3-1 half court trapping. When they got their lead it was time to back off to half court defense. Jersey Shore knew a press wasn't going to do it for them. AUF had not only size but ballhandlers as well. The Shore club wisely concentrated on establishing a half court defense.

     Really admired a number 25 for Allentown. At age 12 she could dominate posting up. She, and her coaches realize, the day will come when her 6-1 size is matched up. In that regard, # 25 is developing a fine all around game featuring the ability to put it on the deck, pass and hit the mid-range jumper. A number of players today realize their games need versatility when it's almost too late.

    Thoroughly enjoy watching the teamwork, even at this age, when the offense is in transition. It's all about sharing the ball.

    Working with a good officiating partner, with the teams competing, on a nice Sunday morning, and getting paid for it. From a basketball perspective it's about as good as it gets. And not to mention the post game stop as a bonus.