Fall 2009 Tournament

I am waiting to hear back from the gym at Temple. It looks like the event will be held on some combination of the following dates: 10/18, 10/25, and/or 10/31. Divisions will include Mens, Womens, 15 & Under, 12/13 & Under. I'll keep everyone updated on that.

What's going on with the CYC Basketball Program?

Many of our CYC players took part in the famed Las Vegas Invitational, held the weekend after Labor Day. We played in the top division, AA Gold, featuring 8 of the best Asian teams from across the country. In the first round, we handled the multi-time NACBA Champs, LA Alpine, 55-47. In the Semis, we beat the LA Tigers 57-41. And in the Championship, LA Dragon's Den beat us 71-66. Thanks to Chris Lee, who player-coached us in this one. Fruity Brooks made the All-Star team. The roster was: Chris Lee, Jeffrey Lee, Bobby Hsieh, Kenny Ho, Keith Wang, Fruity Brooks, Hank Huang, Huy Nguyen, and a new big man to the team- Brian Liang.

The NACBAIT (aka Chinese Nationals) was held in Fort Lauderdale, FL this past Memorial Day Weekend. CYC was very well represented, as each team really played their hearts out and had good showings.

CYC A Team: We finished in the Final Four in Fort Lauderdale. Won the pool on Day 1. Beat the Philly Suns in the Round of 16, and defeated NorCal Hoopaholics in the QF's. Then lost to the Seattle Bladerunners in the Final Four. As a team, we played much better in this year's Nationals than we did in 2008. The team had a lot of new faces and everyone played a little bit of a different role this year. The returning roster was: Chris Lee, Jeffrey Lee, Bobby Hsieh, Jason Lee, Kenny Ho, and myself (mostly coaching, as Robie Lee was busy with his newborn). This year's rookies were Daniel Liu (a 6-4 center/model who played at UCSD), Hank Huang (a high scoring muscular 6-2/6-3 PF with a deadly shooting touch), Huy Nguyen (a quick 5-11 slasher who can play d, fill the lanes, and hit the jumper), and Junius Ho (our energy man off the bench who played the Shane Battier role). Jeffrey Lee and Hank Huang were named All-Tourney. This team is looking pretty solid if we can keep things together for 2010 in Toronto.

CYC B Team: The surprise team of the tourney, the B team made the playoffs for the first time and showed that they can compete with anyone out there. Tantalizingly close losses in pool play to NY USAB Gold (2007 Champs) and the Nor Cal Hoopaholics (perennial west coast power) and a defeat of the storied NY Rockits AIA were proof that the smallball can be a success if you spread the other teams out on the perimeter and share the ball with a drive and dish philosophy. We lost to the Chicago Dragons in the first round, but were within a couple possessions the whole way. This group of youngsters showed their grit all weekend. Terry Callier was the only big man on the team, and held his own despite constantly going against two to three bigger guys each game. SG Caleb Lui made the All-Tourney team, while Kevin Lee and Martin Hsieh were also stellar in the backcourt. If this team only had one more big body, they would have been able to make some noise. The team is headed in the right direction.

Boys Juniors: No team at this year's NACBAIT. Hopefully the youth program will be back in action by 2010 Toronto.

CYC China Dolls: We ended up coming in second in the pool on Day 1, then lost to the eventual back to back champion SF ArcAngels in the Quarterfinals. But the girls clearly didn't give up, and kept playing with pride. They stormed by the NY Sabres Blue and the highly regarded Toronto Black Koi to capture the Consolation trophy and earn a 5th place finish. Coach John Chin did a great job with these girls, and things can only get better. NACBA Top 10 player Kalyn Lee and All-NACBA selection Pui Sham were solid all weekend. This team is so close to reaching Final Four status. It could happen very soon. The progress that this young group of girls has made is amazing.