This was a special team. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching five all-star basketball teams and none of them have even gone as far as this great group of kids. I’m appreciative of the Irvine Youth Basketball League for selecting me to coach them. I’m appreciative of the hard work of my assistant coaches Walter Piper and Yossi Zekri, and for the support of the parents of each of the players who entrusted me with their daughters during a shortened season. We played eight games total finishing the post season with a 6-2 record.Â
I am also appreciative of my wife who put up with me during the last hectic weekend and for each of the players who embraced the 2-3 zone defense and played with heart every second. They never quit and I’m very proud of them. Thank you Jets for a great tournament.
Here’s the story from the Irvine World News:
Irvine Jets take second in national tournament
  The Irvine Jets girls sixth grade allstar basketball team finished second in last weekend’s National Junior Basketball’s Evans National Tournament in Orange County. The Jets finished with a 3-1 record in pool play.
    The Jets hosted two games in Irvine last Saturday, beating the Niguel Aliso Wolverines, 40-8, behind the scoring of captain Keren Zekri’s 15 points. Danielle Zekri and Pooja Athalye both added eight points and Yasime Choroomi scored seven and pulled down 10 rebounds. Jenna Huskisson recorded six blocked shots in the win.
    The Jets dropped a 37-26 decision to eventual national champion Fairfield.
    The Jets battled back from a 20-point deficit, but it wasn’t enough. Keren Zekri scored 12 points in the loss. On Sunday, the Jets played the Las Vegas Express at Fullerton High and never trailed in winning, 26-19. Captain Allison Piper’s three-pointer in the final period was the decisive basket. Captain Kaylee Fukumoto scored 10 points to lead the Jets and Marina Iranmanesh put the game away with a 15-foot baseline jumper and clutch free throws in the game’s final minutes. The Jets’ defense was the difference in a 20-9 victory over the Scripps Ranch Falcons from San Diego in a game plated at Saddleback High. The Jets did not allow a basket until the start of the fourth period. Janis Jin and Fukumoto hit key three-pointers and Huskisson, Choroomi and Iranmanesh dominated on the boards.
    The Jets were the only Irvine team competing in the NJB National Tournament. The Jets, who were the Orange County co-champions, completed the all-star post season with a combined 6-2 record.
    The team was coached by Dan Chmielewski, Walter Piper and Yossi Zekri.
