Rec basketball teams use tournaments as learning experience

Published 10:47 pm Thursday, March 6, 2014

Three recreation basketball tournament teams carried the Troy banner in tournaments last weekend. While the results weren’t what the players and coached had hoped for, each walked off the court better than when they walked on.

The 12-and-under girls traveled to Greenville for their Alabama Recreation and Parks Association District tournament.

The team, led by head coach Derrick Bell, met Eufaula in the first round and came up short.

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Bell feels his team pulled the toughest draw of anyone in the tournament.

“I feel if we would’ve beaten Eufaula, we would have beaten the other two teams as well,” said Bell. “Eufaula is a very good team. They have a girl that is about six-feet tall and 150 pounds. She can play down low, and then step outside and make shots out there. The girls will definitely see her again in their basketball careers.”

Despite the one-and-done loss, Bell said the team enjoyed the experience.

“The girls bonded well, and really enjoyed each other’s company. We were able to take some younger girls with us, and that will help us next year. I really enjoyed seeing the girls improve and get better throughout the year.”

The 12-and-under boys fell to Enterprise in the first round of their tournament by just two points.

Terrell Sistrunk’s 24 points led the team.

Head coach Darius Carlile liked what he saw from Sistrunk and the rest of the players.

“Terrell played fantastic in the tournament,” said Carlile. “He led the team back and almost got a win. It was a pleasure coaching him, as it was coaching all the players. I feel the team played well, especially on defense. It was a good experience for everyone, including me.”

The 10-and-under boys did pick up one win in the tournament, over rival Enterprise, before losing to Greenville.

Head coach Griffin Holmes said his players were very excited about knocking off Enterprise.

“They all had a good time beating Enterprise,” said Holmes. “They lost to Enterprise last year, so they wanted to win that one.”

Holmes said his team is better for taking part in the tournament.

“They got a taste of tournament basketball,” said Holmes. “They got to compete against the players they will play against for the next few years in junior varsity and high school. It was a pleasure to work with them, and I look forward to watching them grow in the future.”