Deja Vu~ Celtics Rebound for another TITLE!

The Supreme Court Soldiers showed off their athleticism and sizzling shooting to dismantle the Celtics in Round Robin pool play at the Hardwood Tournament yesterday at the ORU aerobic center. However, the Celtics had already staked their claim into the Championship game, and were given a rematch with the flying high Soldiers.

In the first game, the Soldiers held a 29 point lead, but some strong effort and NO QUIT attitude by the Celtics cut the final score down to just a 19 point deficit. With five hours to regroup, the Celtics had some choices to make.

Assistant Coach Art McIlroy was kind enough to share some memories from the Tournament:

FALL FESTIVAL REPORT by Art McIlroy

The Tulsa Celtics clawed their way to another Hardwood championship over the Sept. 24th – 25th weekend. The games had many exciting moments and they again showcased the amazing “Celtic teamwork” that many in the basketball community have come to recognize and appreciate.

Our first game was versus the Jr. Athletes in Action. They were a talented group of players. Corey Shannon gave the Celtics an early lead with some quick opening buckets but Athletes in Action battled back as the lead went back and forth. The second half was vintage Celtic play as Matt Reynolds, Brock Morton and Jarred Wise continued to add offensive firepower. Matt Maguire played his usual steller defense. Alan Santos led the fast break and was all over the court and Sean McIlroy’s rebounding was a consistent plus for the team (Chris Caresio could not make it to this opener). Even with this, the Athletes closed within three before Corey was asked to put on another “Shannon” defensive performance. The Box and one scheme the Celtics employed successfully protected our lead and the Celtics burst midway through the second half took away any hopes the Athletes had in getting back into the game. The Celtics won by 18 points.

The Saturday afternoon contest was against the Beggs Demons. The Demons were a young but scrappy team that was a last minute entry into the tournament. They battled valiantly. Chris Caresio joined his Celtic teammates for this one and helped contribute to an effort that led to a double digit lead in the opening minutes of the game. The Celtics never looked back and cruised to a 40 point victory over the outmatched Demons.

Sunday Showdown-- ORU was the setting for this anticipated match up between the Celtics and the Supreme Court Soldiers. The Soldiers, a talented and very athletic group of players were determined to teach a Sunday school lesson to the Celtics and they did. Numerous fast break opportunities, started by dominating rebounding put the Celtics in an early hole. That hole became 29 points deep. The Celtics put forth a mild comeback of sorts but could never cut it much closer than nineteen after that. The referees allowed play to become physical and it became obvious that if the Celtics wanted another Harwood Championship they were going to have to rise to the challenge and play with strength and intensity not seen in the Sunday morning clash.

The Championship… The Celtics came to the 4:00 PM contest with a quiet determination. It was decided before hand that Brock Morton would have a key responsibility in our zone adjustment. Brock was to be at the free throw line of our zone defense. He was responsible for the Soldiers’ top of the key shooters and yet also had to drop down to help out on the post. Matt Reynolds, Matt Maguire and Alan Santos were responsible for the Soldier’s wing shooters and finally, the corner shots had to be challenged by our down men. That would include Jared Wise, Corey Shannon, Chris Caresio and Sean McIlroy. The biggest responsibility of these four however, was to secure rebounds so that the Soldiers would not get the second chances to score as they did in the morning contest. The Celtics were focused from the pre game pep talk to the final buzzer.

The first half saw lead changes back and forth between each team. As the final minutes of the period drew down, the Soldiers seem to be building momentum. Perhaps a subtle change of momentum came in the closing 1:25 of the half. The Celtics were called into their 40 press. The front line of Alan Santos, Matt Maguire and Matt Reynolds immediately forced a Soldier turnover that led to a Reynolds basket. The Soldiers next possession also resulted into a turnover. As the two teams walked off for intermission, the score read
Celtics 21, Soldiers 19. The second half was a battle equal to the first. Brock Morton and Matt Reynolds hit big three pointers. Jared Wise continued to frustrate the Soldiers with his unstoppable inside moves. Chris Caresio amazed all with his acrobatic drives. Unfortunately, a twisted ankle was the only thing that could stop Chris on this day. Rebounding and defense were the real keys to victory however and Corey Shannon, Sean McIlroy, Alan Santos and Matt Maguire just kept doing what they had been doing all season long.

Execution and toughness in the second half enabled the Celtics to capture a hard fought 43-41 victory. As we look back on this Fall Festival Championship, the boys should have a great feeling of pride. Everyone contributed in this tournament. The championship plaque was presented to the Celtics. Someone was heard to say “the Soldiers might have had the better athletes but the Celtics had the better TEAM." How true it is! The Celtics are not only a very talented group of basketball players, but they possess the intangible letters that spell W-I-N-N-E-R!