Barnstorming Through the NY2LA Field
Last Sunday the Iowa Barnstormers 16u captured NY2LA’s Summer Jam Championship, defeating a physical MBA Hoops (MS) 59-57.
MBA features exceptional wing athletes and a couple bulky bigs. Head Coach 16u K.C. Schmitt steadied the troops with consistent direction.
“It doesn’t really change what we do,” said Coach Schmitt. “Defensively, we have to go big a little bit. But we tried to make their bigs defend us, out to the four. For the most part our guys rose up to the challenge.”
Late Tension
Eating clock with a last minute 55-53 lead, the Barnstormers encouraged a rapid conclusion. Swinging the ball from corner to corner the guards appeared content to cruise, if MBA Hoops allowed it.
Tyrone Brewer (MS) attempted a rip from the backside, but committed MBA’s first team foul of the entire half. Two cursory fouls later Sam Ignoli was standing at the line. Cash. Cash. Leading 57-53 with less than 30 seconds, surely the Barnstormers could hold on.
Right?
Brewer and friends smashed the offensive glass, accounting for several timely putbacks of desperation. Brewer’s tip fell and MBA trailed 57-55. Four Mississippi-born bodies crowded Iowa’s guards and a long arm poked the ball loose. Barber dashed to the rim to square the game 57-57 with less than 10 seconds left.
Without a second of pouting, stewing, or pondering A.J. Green pushed the ball up the court. He disregarded defenders and sprinted into the lane, finally dumping down to a waiting Joe Wieskamp (Iowa verbal).
“That is A.J.,” said Coach Schmitt. “That is all A.J. A.J. Green just knows what to do. He knows to attack in that situation. He found Joe wide open underneath.”
Wieskamp finished off an easy layup and a difficult opponent. Now 59-57 the Barnstormers celebrated. An 85-foot inbound pass was deflected at the horn.
Championship.
Iowa Hawkeye fans will be pleased at the broadening of Wieskamp’s game.
“Joe is a role model,” said Coach Schmitt. “Joe just goes out there and does the same thing every tournament. You don’t have to worry about him having a bad day. Even today in the championship he missed shots, he still boards. he still defends. He still finds the right guy. He is just fantastic.”
Health Concerns
More nagging than debilitating, several Stormers pushed through pain.
“The biggest thing we had to deal with was just getting people healthy,” said Coach Schmitt. “We got some kids hurt. It has been a long season. Joey (Hauser) is dealing with a hip. Joe (Wieskamp) is dealing with a back. As far as the team playing, the team is great.”
Fourth at the adidas Gauntlet, first at Summer Jam, now the Barnstormers tackle Las Vegas.
Making Iowa proud.