“The 2013 Team” (Part I)

As 2012 came to a close many described the year 2013 very promising. Team Industry was returning eight players from the previous year. However, eight players weren’t enough for Coach Troy as he wanted his roster in the double digits. As the season started up, Team Industry added five players to its roster. As former 2010 and 2011 players Juan Covarrubias and Gabriel Perez made their return, junior Anthony De Leon, eighth grader Jason Reyes, and seventh grader Cameron Caterio all made their debuts.

Team Industry wanted to take 2013 head on with a different approach. Industry wanted to capitalize its uprising with social media. Without a way to market the team’s skills, Team Industry would’ve just been another team from the City of Industry. However, with the addition of a Facebook page and YouTube channel, Team Industry was taking steps in the right direction. The only thing Industry needed to do at that point was back it up on the court.

Unlike typical AAU schedules that play in NCAA sanctioned events, Team Industry wanted a club basketball schedule to boost its players’ confidence. Despite not being involved in the AAU circuit, Coach Troy believed it was the best intentions to give his players a fair, but competitive schedule so the following year they can compete amongst the top AAU teams on the west coast. As the season opener approached Coach Troy made sure his players were disciplined minded as he wanted to dominate his opponent on both ends of the floor.

Team Industry started the season the 2013 Winner Take All Tournament the same way they started their 2012 campaign. Industry’s first three opponents were Pomona High School, Redlands Storm, and the Big Ballers. Despite finishing second place, Team Industry knew it was headed in the right direction.

The following week Industry finished 2-1 in the ARC Duel in the Desert Tournament in Palm Springs thus bringing their overall record to 4-2. After dominating the Bridgetown Bullets in a spring scrimmage, Team Industry had its sights set on the Swoosh Spring Slam in Santa Barbara, CA. In Santa Barbara, Team Industry was without their junior forward Anthony De Leon due to injury sustained in Palm Springs. De Leon wouldn’t return until the NBN Showtime Tournament in June. Coach Troy knew this was going to be tough as the road for Industry was getting tougher. Team Industry would finish 1-2 bringing their record to 4-4.

With a .500 record and with the loss of De Leon, Industry had to play with nothing to lose as the ARC/San Diego Sol Memorial Invitational was approaching. From there Industry received the message and went 3-1 in the Invitational defeating the likes of San Diego Sol, MBA, and the Ventura Breakers.

Industry would then return to the Nothin’ But Net League to compete in the Post-Memorial and Showtime Tournament. Team Industry finished the month of June 6-1 winning the 2013 NBN Showtime Tournament. The Showtime Tournament brought Team Industry their first championship in two years and Coach Troy’s first championship at the Varsity level. Industry’s record at the end of June came to 14-6.

With all the momentum in our favor, Team Industry’s 2013 team in the first half of the season was successful. In the first half, Team Industry had five out of six winning records in tournaments. In out of area tournaments, Team Industry finished 6-4. In the local circuit, Team Industry finished 8-2 with their two losses at the hands of the Big Ballers. Team Industry was riding the wave of success going into the summer session, but as July approached……….Vegas happened………

To Be Continued…..

Next Entry: “The 2013 Team (Part II)”