Ten Castle teams have hit the road this weekend to play in events throughout the country. The Castle Girls 15-17U teams have headed up to Albany to participate in Gym Rat Live, an invitation-only event. The 15U and 16U teams have started strong in the Rose Classic, with both teams going 3-0. Last week, the 16U Girls took down the SI Diamonds38-16, the NY Grit 56-39 and the CBC Reign 48-34. The 15U squad went undefeated the week before. We look forward to the 3SSB teams to have a great weekend in the State Capitol.

The Castle Boys High School teams have trekked out to Indianapolis for the Adidas Gold Circuit. The teams have looked sharp in their opening events and the 16U squad has already taken down its first opponent in Indy.

The Boys 11-14U teams are in King of Prussia, PA for the Adidas Jr. Exposure Series and start play this morning. All four teams have been thriving in Winter play and have bolstered their rosters through recent tryouts.

Good luck this weekend!!

The Castle Girls 15U team started off the Spring season with a trio of games in the Rose Classic and they took care of business. Not only that, they certainly went up in class, taking on and disposing of two Girls 17U programs. First, Lady Knights played the New England Crusaders 17U team and, using solid team play, won the game 36-23. Next, Castle took on the Premier Basketball 17U squad and again won 50-45. Finishing off the afternoon, the team turned aside the Riverside Lady Hawks 15U team 46-23. Coach Chez Williams could not have been more proud of the strong kickoff weekend. “It was great to see the team come together so quickly. The passing, rebounding and defensive effort were all there. Thee was cohesion offensively and this lead to chemistry up and down the roster. We are looking forward to the season and continuing with the same effort.”

Next up for the ladies is Gym Rat Live in two weeks.

Not only do Castle coaches lead on the travel circuit, but, they also play huge roles on the collegiate and scholastic scenes as well. Coaches Dwight Shaw (Castle G16U) and Chez Williams (Castle G15/13U) just concluded their season with the Caimans of Hostos Community College. It was no ordinary season, however, as they ended as the National Runner-Ups, suffering a 65-56 loss in the NJCAA DIII Women’s Basketball Championship Game. Hostos started the tournament as the No. 11 seed and chopped down all comers before falling to the No. 1 Owens Community College. It was rematch of the 2019 championship, a game that Hostos won. Great run Shaw and Chez. Now it is time to turn to leading the Castle teams to victory!!

Castle coaches are also still leading the way on the NYC scholastic court. Coach Anwar Gladden (G12U) continues his tremendous season at South Shore High School as the No. 1 seed, when the Lady Vikings meet Murry Bergtraum in the NYC “AA” Championship on St. Patrick’s Day, at 5:00pm, at the Barclays Center. Similarly, Coach Kenny Pretlow (B17U) keeps on truckin with Brooklyn Law and Tech, as they are in the NYC “A” semifinals this afternoon against Susan Wagner, at St. Francis College, at 5:00pm. Both South Shore and Brooklyn L&T have Castle student athletes on their rosters.

Even if you are not a fan of the schools, step up and cheer your coaches and fellow Castle players on to victory!! Congratulations coaches!!

If there ever was any doubt, the mystery has been solved. The Castle 8th Grade Girls shouted it out today, “THE CITY IS MINE”. Continuing the victory trail from last weekend, in convincing fashion, the team first took down the Lady Gauchos 34-18 and then bested New Heights 52-46 to win the City is Mine Championship. This is not the first time that the Castle girls beat their fellow locals, but, this time, they reminded the others why they are now the top squad in NYC. The only thing bigger than the wins, was the trophy they brought home. Kudos Ladies!!

Castle Athletics alum Souleymane “Sal” Koureissi and his University of Richmond Spiders teammates are going to the Big Dance as the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament champions, having knocked off Davidson in the tournament final 64-62.  The Spiders take on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in the First Round in Buffalo, NY on St. Patrick’s Day.

Sal played his scholastic ball at Iona Prep and, along with fellow Castle alum, Josh Alexander, is still prominently shown on the Iona Prep website.  Sal played four years for the Castle Knights, leading the team to numerous tournament championships and playing competitively throughout the country against the best talent, including a 28 point game on the top Adidas circuit.  Sal will be receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree this Spring with a major in Sociology and a minor in Entrepreneurship.

Best of luck!  Go Spiders!!!

All boys attending the Castle Boys High School (15U, 16U and 17U) tryouts at Hostos Community College must provide evidence of vaccination in order to gain admission to the facility.  Times:  15U-10:00am, 16U-12:00pm, and 17U-2:00pm.  Per Hostos requirements, no parents will be permitted in the facility.  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.