The Sportzone 8-and-under and 12-and-under teams go unbeaten in the Youth Sports News recreation tourney.
By STEVE LEE
Published April 1, 2003
NEW PORT RICHEY - Host teams claimed two of five division titles in a weekend roller hockey tournament at Sportzone.
Sportzone's 8-and-under and 12-and-under teams, both called the Scorpions, were crowned champions in the Youth Sports News recreation tourney. It was the third title in as many tournaments this season for the 8-and-under Scorpions.
Three of the Scorpions' four wins came by 7-0 (against the Temple Terrace Stars, Orlando Raptors and Jacksonville Jokers) before a 3-2 victory over the Stars for the title.
Sportzone coach Matthew Garry emptied his bench in the first three games.
"If you get eight (goals in a game) the game stops," Garry said. "Once I saw we were slaughtering them I tried to put more kids out."
Tyler Jimenez scored twice for Sportzone in the final before Dylan Taylor's winning goal.
Jimenez, who had 13 points in four games, was that division's most valuable player.
Teammate Angelo Desimone had a team-high four assists and goaltender Ryan Scorcia had three shutouts.
Sportzone's 12-and-under team defeated Gainesville Xtreme 3-1 in the title game. Cory Miller, division MVP Joey Campanelli and Alex Brown scored for the Scorpions, backstopped by goalie Raleigh Deckard.
It was their first tournament win in three tries.
"We just put in the practice and came out and won it," Sportzone coach Danny Brown said.
Sportzone tied the Palm Harbor Lightning 2-2 in its opener, defeated Tampa Typhoon 4-2 and beat Palm Harbor 9-2 to reach the final.
Palm Harbor teams claimed the other three titles: 5-3 over Sportzone in 14-and-under; 5-4 over Lakeland Streethawks in 17-and-under and 5-1 over Temple Terrace in 10-and-under.
COMPETITIVE CHAMPS: Sportzone's 17-and-under and 12-and-under competitive teams, known as the Pro Joy Predators, won division crowns in the Tournament of Roller Hockey Series (TORHS), Saturday and Sunday in Macon, Ga.
"It's an unbelievable accomplishment, coming out of little New Port Richey, Fla.," Sportzone owner Barry Peters said.
Joey Peters, the owner's son, had a hat trick in the 17-and-under final, a 4-1 win over the Macon Wings. Peters assisted on his team's final goal, scored by Derek Spain. Luke Henry had two assists and Brian Tweed one.
Joey Peters led the Predators in the tournament with nine goals and 12 points.
Goaltender Travis Allison went 3-1 with backup goalie Lake Milhorn winning his lone start. Both goalies had 2.00 goals-against averages.
In the 12-and-under final, Pro Joy defeated the 11-and-under Predators, who played up an age group, 8-0. Cory McDonald and Josh Deloach each had a hat trick with Josh Scorcia adding two goals and Zach Quillen one.
McDonald led all scorers in that division with 18 points. Pro Joy's 11-and-under leader was Joey Puricelli with 11 points.
Also in the TORHS, Pro Joy's 10-and-under team reached the final, but lost 6-5 to the Savannah Supergoose. Matt Esposito and Michael Pelletier tied for the Predators' scoring lead with 13 points apiece.
[Last modified April 1, 2003, 05:26:38]
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