The 17U Coyle team won a pair of Hoop Group Showcase League games Friday as part of a 4-2 start by NEPA Elite teams in The Hoop Group’s Spring Jam Fest, a boys event, at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, Lancaster County.
NEPA Elite 17U Coyle
Andrew Erickson scored 18 points as the Coyle team opened with a 57-50, afternoon victory over Connecticut Elite HGSL, 57-50.
Oliver Almonte had 16 points and 12 rebounds while Will Marion had 10 points and 10 assists.
Erickson and Ryan Nealon hit late 3-pointers to help keep NEPA Elite in front.
NEPA Elite added a 52-44 win at night over Team Richmond HGSL.
The team begins play in the 20-team 17U Platinum Chargers Championship bracket Saturday.
Marion and Nealon are from Abington Heights. Erickson is from Seton Catholic in Binghamton, N.Y. and Almonte is from Scranton.
NEPA Elite 17U Frank
NEPA Elite opened play in the 17U Gold 2 Championship bracket with a 45-43, overtime victory over Factory Fusion to reach the Round of 16.
Chris Ogden’s 3-pointer produced the win on the Elam Ending where the first team to score five points in the untimed overtime wins.
Brycen Martin also provided key baskets late in the game while coach Jeff Frank credited Gene Curtin and Charlie O’Malley with defensive efforts that helped pull out the win.
Ogden is from West Scranton, Martin from Scranton Prep, Curtin from Abington Heights, and O’Malley from Holy Cross.
NEPA Elite 16U Tillery
WeR1 New England edged NEPA Elite, 53-50, in an opening round game in the championship bracket of the 16U Platinum Division.
NEPA Elite 15U Dempsey
NEPA Elite opened with a win, but dropped its second game in the 15U Platinum Division championship bracket.
After beating Next Play Basketball Ballers, 70-56, NEPA Elite lost to New Jersey Scholars EYBL, 55-29, in the last game of the night for the club’s teams.