By Mike Zummo
The Hudson Valley Panthers 16U Amateur Athletic Union boys’ basketball team played on its largest stage when they went to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., from July 11-15.
They returned to Newburgh as champions of the Super Showcase tournament with a 63-59 win against the Florida Phenoms on July 15.
“They played very well,” coach Lance Myles said. “I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t have to do much coaching. They knew what they were doing.”
The championship was the closest game the Panthers played in, as it was tied with 50 seconds to go. The Panthers won six of the other seven games in the tournament by at least 10 points.
They played two games the previous day, defeating Florida’s Team M.O.A.M., 76-60 in the quarterfinals and Team Heat Elite, 85-68 in the semis.
They opened bracket play on Saturday with a 73-64 win over Team Final Red 2021.
They advanced to the quarterfinals with a strong 4-0 run through Pool H in opening rounds.
They opened the tournament with a 65-56 win over TNT HoopSquad 2021 and a 78-63 win over the Tennessee’s Team CGB.
They finished pool play on Friday with an 80-48 win over the Fayetteville Flash and a 75-56 win over the Old Gold Dream Team.
“They want to go to a higher level,” Myles said. “I knew this all along. The tournaments that we used to do locally and in New York State, this team is too good for that.”
It’s been a long road for Myles and his Panthers, many of which he has coached since they were in third grade, seven years ago, and it wasn’t always easy. The Panthers struggled at first, testing the patience with both Myles and the program, which is based out of the Newburgh Boys and Girls Club.
Myles said four families and Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Kevin White stuck with him and the program is on the cusp of making another jump.
“I knew the beginning was kind of rough,” Myles said. “We weren’t winning, and parents were calling for my head. I have four parents that stuck with me from Day 1 and a lot of credit goes to them. They stuck through all this time and it’s been very rewarding and very satisfying.”
The goal is to get the players into college and the tournament was played in front of several college coaches and Myles said his players drew some interest. He said the next step is to get the team sponsored by either Nike, Adidas or Under Amour.
Sponsorship would get the Panthers two things. The first is it would take the burden for travel out of the pockets of the parents and the Boys and Girls Club, and the Elite status would give the Panthers an opportunity to play in front of Division I college coaches.
“That’s where we need to go next,” Myles said. “That’s what I’m hoping for next spring. I think they can handle that.”
But for now, the players are playing in summer leagues with the Newburgh Free Academy teams and several of them will play football during the fall. AAU will start tryouts again in February and get ready for the next season, which begins in March.