Aces win Evansville tournament

The Southern Indiana Aces AAU boys basketball team won the Evansville Tournament earlier this month at the Evansville Basketball Academy.

In the first game, the Aces defeated the Merto Knights by a score of 52-46. JT Yoho of Eastern Greene carried the scoring load with 21 points.

In the second game, Southern Indiana lost 62-59 in triple overtime as a player from the Evansville Eagles made a 3-pointer as time expired.

Cole Goodman of White River Valley led the team in scoring with 15 points.

In the third game, the Aces topped Olney Express 73-43 as Austin Karaszia of Linton-Stockton led the team with 16 points followed by Bryant Ackerman's (Loogootee) 15 points.

After locking up a top seed based on a points system, Southern Indiana beat the Eagles 62-36 in the semifinals.

Zack Johnson of Eastern Greene paced the winners in scoring.

In the title game, the Aces, who were a few players short during the tournament because of conflicts according to coach Rick Crynes, beat Olney Express 63-52 to take home first place.

Karazsia and Yoho were the top two scorers.

Team members included Johnson; Davis Russell, Eastern Greene; Yoho; Goodman; John Ashcraft, White River Valley; Karaszia; Caleb Mershon, Northview; Trent Lancaster, Northview; Ben Hogan, Loogootee; Bryant Ackerman, Loogootee; Daniel Wildman, Loogootee and Brodie Crowe, Shakamak.

"We finished the season with a 15-10 record," said Crynes. "We were not the most talented team but competed with the best team in Indiana and Kentucky. I have really enjoyed working with this team all summer long. I also have had numerous complements from opposing coaches about how hard we play as a team and our team attitude. This group of boys all have bright futures ahead of them in athletics. All of the boys have great work ethics and attitudes.

"Coaching a team of boys like this is what makes anyone want to keep coaching. This is my 17th year of coaching AAU and this might be the best team I have coached."

Crynes said he would like to thank Andy Cochrane for being my assistant throughout the summer. "He was a great help to our team."

Crynes also wanted to thank all of their sponsors in 2010.

"If it were not for them, I would not be able to even have a team," said Crynes. " We played in eight tournaments this summer which is a huge accomplishment for us.

"I would like to thank each sponsor personally for the donations. Each year the cost of AAU increases like anything else."

Crynes said he plans to continue coaching and helping kids next spring.

"As I said all along its all about the kids and the relationships and friendships we form throughout the summer," he said.

Crynes said his final thank you goes out to the parents of these boys.

"They make sure the boys get to the tournaments and practice on time. I have enjoyed working with the parents," he said.

"They have been a big help this year with little things that nobody sees, such as providing food and drinks for the boys and keeping the clock and score books. Once again thank you to all that have made this possible."