Junior Athletes gain Revenge and Take HOOPBUSTER TITLE

Tulsa Celtics
The Celtics took an early lead, then found themselves down 10 points with 6 minutes left in the Championship game.

Then Matt Reynolds knocked down a 3 pointer, the CELTIC press created turnovers, Brock Morton made a 3 pointer, before Reynolds hit another 3 and we tied the game. This time though, we couldn't finish the deal, as Terrell Hamilton repeatedly beat us inside and the Junior Athletes ended the Celtic streak of Championships.

We missed too many inside shots, and allowed Terrell too many inside opportunities.

Maguire, Caresio, Williams, McIlroy, Reynolds, Santos, Wise and Morton had a super tournament while gaining experience of playing in four extremely competitive games. Each of the boys will contribute greatly to their schools programs and we look forward to watching them compete on the High School level.

Celtics OUTLAST the BRAVES in Double Overtime

Tulsa Celtics
The Tulsa Braves came out on the offensive and took it to the Celtics Sunday morning during first half action. Luckily, we picked up the intensity during the 2nd half and won the game in the second overtime period.

Alan Santos drove an hit a 10 footer to give the Celtics a 2 point lead with 4 seconds left in regulation. During a timeout, I instructed the Celtics to foul after the inbounds pass since we had a foul to give, thereby shortening the game. Unfortunately, the inbounds pass went to the corner and we fouled the Brave while he was shooting a THREE POINTER!!!

He made the first two free throws to tie the game, but missed on his third attempt to force an overtime. Both teams scored and a second overtime was required.

Santos made a great drive from the baseline to score and this time it held up and we escaped with a 54-52 victory.

After the game, we learned that the Championship game would take place in one hour, as opposed to the 3 hour break that was on the original schedule.

Celtics Fend off RAM Challenge

Tulsa Celtics
The CELTICS continue their mastery over Owasso as they held off the RAMS by 3 points in Saturday's 2nd game of the tourney. Sean McIlroy, Matt Maguire and Chris Caresio joined the five Celtics who went the distance in game one to provide relief.

Owasso High School Coach Danny Hightower would have been proud of his son, a diminutive guard who drained 6 three pointers, some from beyond the NBA range to enable the Rams to stay within range of the Celtics.

Celtics Ironmen Knock Off Junior Athletes

In warm-ups, the Junior Athletes had 13 players going through drills; the Celtics had five. Creighton Williams (HH), Matt Reynolds (BK), Brock Morton(HH), Jarred Wise(U) and Alan Santos (HH) were the Celtics team members. In a tough battle, the Celtics overcame an early deficit to hold off the Athletes by 8 points. It was a hard fought game and all five players contributed greatly in a typical Celtic team victory. Williams and Wise focused on keeping Terrell off the boards; Reynolds hot 3 pt shooting in the first half and Morton's 3 straight 2nd half 3's added to Williams, Santos and Wise's scoring.

Celtics Go after their THIRD Consecutive Championsihp in HHH Tourney

The Tulsa Celtics will attempt to continue their Tournament Champions streak when the Hardwood Halloween Hoopbuster Tourney tips-off next Saturday, October 15, 2005.

Defensive stalwart Corey Shannon,BAHS, 2008 CLASS, will sit out this tourney due to more important obligations.

All of us are constantly faced with choices about what we will do at any point in time. These sometimes, seemingly trivial choices truly do hold the key to our success.

Personally, I believe there is a reason for everything; sometimes the reason immediately reveals itself, and sometimes it takes a long, long time to figure out "why" something happened.

While I'm spewing some of my philosophy's, might as well throw in that you can ALWAYS find something good or bad in every situation and experience. Whether you get a broken ankle or a Heisman Trophy, there are always two list of results. And remember, it can ALWAYS be worse or better.

Back to the hoop action; with Corey not available, the rest of the Celtics will have to step it up on the defensive side of action. We are still putting the tourney roster together, and look forward to some excellent competition.

Price Spotted with the PIGSKIN~~

Price Pinkerton who helped the Celtics to their previous Tournament Championship, scored his first VARSITY touchdown for CASCIA HALL in the Commando's 27-12 victory over Jay Friday night. The 9th grader who is in his first year at Cascia, evidently has risen to be one of the top four receivers. He scored on a first quarter 25 yard touchdown pass. Way to go Price!!~

Tulsa Celtics: Junior Hurricanes (Tulsa University style)

Tulsa Celtics: Junior Hurricanes (Tulsa University style)
I received this comment from an anonymous poster:

Hello, I would like to give you some information, I am a fan of the The original Tulsa Jr. Hurricanes. Somehow the team you are speaking about are imposters,they have taken that name without permission.The real junior hurricanes started by a coach by the name of Samy Mack over 10 years ago.By the way Bama Pie used to sponsor this team until Paula Chapman took her son off the team.Hopoefully the imposters will realize they should change their name since they are using Tulsa Jr. Hurricanes without permission


Here was my response:

Dear Anonymous Fan of the "original" Tulsa Jr. Hurricane (Coach Sam Mack's Original Hurricane team); I appreciate your concern and understand why you feel the way you do about the use of the "Jr. Hurricane" moniker.

First, I know Coach Mack as I formerly covered Sports for the Tulsa World, and watched and wrote game stories for over 10 years. Besides Mark Price, Wayman Tisdale, Kevin Pritchard and hundreds of other great athletes AND basketball players, I watched Sam play 5 or 6 times during his High School Career.

My oldest son Josh, now 21, played for Coach Mack during some summer games and while he attended East Central High School. He does a great job with the fortunate young men who get his coaching input.

With regards to team names; we didn't seek permission from the Boston Celtics before adopting their name, nor do we pay royalties of any sort to them.

I doubt that the Jr. Hurricanes did with Tulsa University or Miami University, both who could rightfully claim the HURRICANE name.

Youth Basketball should be ALL ABOUT THE KIDS. I've had parents ask me about their son playing on this team or that team during tournaments, leagues or practicing. I tell them it is 100% up to them. If we are not practicing or playing, I prefer my players to be playing. Whether it is in the street, the Y, or on another organized team is irrelevant.

The way to improve is to play. Experience makes you better. At least it gives you the input to improve; you have to recognize your weaknesses and develop them so opposing teams can't exploit YOUR weakness to help take down your team.

Also, every Coach is different. The things they expect; how they practice, and how they teach. Experience in this area is important also. When your son or daughter goes through the four high school years, the Coach MAY be the same person throughout. More likely is the possibility of having at least ONE new Coach. Adapting to different styles is part of being a TEAM player. I know players in High School and College who had new coaches EVERY year they played. Talk about starting over every year.

I know this is quite lengthy response to your Jr. Hurricane imposter post, but I feel there may be more important issues to worry about in the world than the legality of using a nickname.

If it is truly important, there are probably steps you could pursue.

Thanks for your comment!
Bruce Morton