SUNS 4 LIFE 14U COMPETE FOR NATIONAL TITLE
July 2010
Frederick Gazette Article
The Suns 4 Life 14U AAU basketball team travelled to Orlando, FL to compete in the 2010 AAU 14U Division II National Championship, held July 14th to 21st with very high expectations. A total of 116 teams from all over the country flocked to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex to compete for the coveted title of National Champion. Our goal was to contend for that title while also being a force to be reckoned with and creating a buzz about Frederick, MD and the Suns 4 Life. Our team was challenged from the start. We drew one of the toughest pools in the tournament; losing our first game by eight to DeJuan Blair All Stars (Pittsburgh, PA – 4th overall in Classic Tournament), and then dropping our second game by 14 against Team Under-rated (Long Island, NY – 3rd overall in the nation). Going into the final minute of both games, we were down by six. Foul shots and last minute turnovers allowed the other teams to secure their wins. Despite those two opening defeats, we showed that we were there to compete. Our final pool game was a double overtime thrilling win against Central Florida TGFB (AAU Super Showcase Tournament competitor). We needed to win this game by eight in order to continue competing for the title of National Champion. Unfortunately, we only won by two, so instead we had to compete for the title of National Classic Tournament Champion. However, this exciting victory was the start of a four game win streak which advanced us to the Elite 8 of the Classic Tournament. Our run included a 27 point victory over Lafayette Suns (Lafayette, LA), a 17 point victory over Central Broward Rockets (Miami, FL) and a 9 point victory over Massachusetts Bearcats (Boston, MA). The run was halted by Long Island Lightning (Long Island, NY – 3rd overall in Classic Tournament). The 11 point loss against the Lightning left us one win away from receiving a Final Four medal. Again, going into the final minute of that battle, we were down by six but last minute turnovers and foul shots were once again our demise. Although our goal of a national title eluded us, we still proved to be a force to be reckoned with on the national level, and created a stir about Frederick, MD and the Suns 4 Life. Our team received various accolades and earned a lot of respect from coaches, players and referees. It was a great experience for the players, and demonstrated to them that they could definitely compete at the national level. Our three losses were competitive battles that could have gone either way as attested to by coaches, referees and fans alike.
 

4 YOUR LIFE STUDENTS VISIT SOUTHERN CA COLLEGES
July 2010
Students in the 4 Your Life organization spent a week this summer in the Southern California area touring 11 colleges. The goal of the college tour was to expose students to a glimpse of college life while also exposing them to a different region of the country. The students had the opportunity to visit the following colleges: University of Southern California (USC), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Loyola Marymount (LMU), Pepperdine University, California Institute of Technology (Cal-Tech), Occidental College, University of San Diego (USD), University of California at San Diego (UCSD), San Diego State University, California State University at Long Beach (CSLB) and California State University at Northridge (CSUN). The student population of these schools ranged from 2,200 to 40,000, so the students were able to get a sense of college life on small, medium and large campuses. In addition to walking around the campuses, the students were able to sit in college classrooms and lecture halls, visit various student unions, and see college dorm facilities and athletic facilities. They heard from admissions counselors who provided them with information regarding entrance requirements and the college application process. They also heard from current students about college life and how they adapted to the transition from high school to college. The tour was funded by private donations and organizational fundraisers. Additional college tours are being planned for the future.
 

4 YOUR LIFE STUDENTS EARN HIGH HONORS
June 2010
Bryan Ingram and Zach Thomas are outstanding role models for students and athletes alike. Both of these young men earned straight A’s all three years of their middle school careers. In addition, they did so while taking honors courses and competing on their middle school basketball teams. Bryan attended Crestwood MS and will enter Tuscarora HS as a freshman this fall. Zach attended Urbana MS and will enter Oakdale HS as a freshman this fall. Both of these young men are part of the 4 Your Life organization and played on the 14U Suns 4 Life AAU basketball team. Their 14U team competed in the 2010 AAU Division II National Championship in Orlando, FL and finished in the top 8 of the Classic Tournament. They were one game shy of bringing home a medal and making it to the Final Four. Bryan and Zach are the epitome of what the 4 Your Life organization strives to enforce via academics. The organization congratulates them on their outstanding achievement, and hopes their example of academic excellence will be a motivator to all student-athletes.
 

iPAD Winner
August 2010
Congratulations to Kyle Newcomb of Frederick, MD on being the winner of the iPAD raffle!! This raffle was held in an effort to raise funds for our teams to travel to Orlando, FL and Hampton, VA to compete in the 14U and 15U National Championships, along with raising funds for our Southern California college tour.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE 12U GIRLS RUNNER-UP AT MAY KICKOFF CLASSIC
May 2010
The Suns 4 Life girls 12u team placed 2nd in the May Kickoff Classic at Trinity College. The girls fought a hard battle, but lost 27-20. Too many turnovers and low production at the free throw line were contributing factors in the loss. Congrats to the girls who made it to a championship game in only their second tournament.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE 13U ADVANCE AT MARYLAND STATE TOURNAMENT
April 2010
Competing in their first Official AAU State Tournament, the newly-formed Suns 4 Life U-13’s(coached by Alex Lecuona & Lance Payton) made it to the championship game to be played at Morgan State University on Saturday, May 1st. The Suns 4 Life made it to the finals by defeating Crusader Nation and Cecil Kirk in their pool play on Saturday. They then defeated The Renegades in the first play-off round on Sunday before coming away with a hard-fought victory over the talented and experienced Baltimore Panthers on late Sunday afternoon 52-45. Andy Baker and Travis Barbe led the Suns in scoring overall While Sam Giuliani, Ian Eversull, and Jon Woodard did a great job on the boards. Trevor Lecuona led the team in assists every game and Jermone Love and JaColby Lott contributed strongly off the bench. Colson Kirchner and Will Bureau couldn’t attend the games on Sunday against the Panthers and Renegades. The U-13’s play Maryland 3D in the finals of the DII State Championship.
 

AAU & MIDDLE SCHOOL PREP
Dates: Every Tuesday starting 3/23/10 to 5/18/10 plus Friday, 5/21/10
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Place: Crestwood MS
Who: 4^th - 6^th Graders
Cost: $50
Flyer & Registration Form: Click Here

SPACE IS LIMITED!! Secure your spot now by mailing completed registration form with payment.

SUNS 4 LIFE 13U RUNNER UP AT CARDINAL PRE-NATIONAL TOURNEY
June 2009
The Ingram/Perry 13U, 14U and 15U teams travelled to Alexandria, Va for the Cardinal Pre-Nationals Tune-up. Once again the 13's advanced to the Championship game. This time the team would have to settle for 2nd place to a very good DC Assault team. After the 13U team beat DC Assault during pool play, DC Assault regrouped for the hard fought championship game and squeaked out a win.

The 15U team went 1-2 on this weekend and the 14's were winless, but played two 15U teams, very close, that were playing down in the 14U division.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE 13U BEST AT THE BEACH
June 2009
The Ingram/Perry 13U, 14U and 15U teams had high hopes as they travelled to Ocean City for the Beachbound II Tournament. All three teams have been playing well and would need to continue to do so, as Beachbound has the reputation for bringing out some the best teams on the East Coast.

The 13U team would not disappoint, rebounding from a sub-par performance at the VA Cardinal One Day Bump and Run in May, to blow through the competition with a 4-0 record and the Championship title. The 13's dominated pool play and won a tough fought battle against the MD Hurricanes in the championship game.

The 15's dropped their opening game, but re-grouped to win the next two games, which included a come from behind, overtime thriller over the Howard County Dream Team. Unfortunately, that one loss kept us out of the title game.

Despite having a size disadvantage in every game, the 14U team showed how athletic and competitive we are. Game 1 was a tough overtime defeat, but turnovers would be our undoing in game 2. The 14's showed great character in being the only team to defeat the RAP team from New York City (they would later win the championship game).

Congratulations and keep working hard.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE 14U SWEEP VA CARDINAL TOURNEY
May 2009
The Ingram/Perry 14U team looked as if they had something to prove at the VA Cardinal One Day Bump N Run on May 28. The boys looked poised and confident in winning all three games. The team showed it could win in a variety of ways; a close, hotly contested affair, a come from behind victory, and a blowout win. Congratulations, and keep the roll going.

A shout out also goes to the Ingram/Perry 15U team for a strong showing, going 2-1 on that day. Unfortunately, the 13U team struggled as a result of missing players and ended the day with a record of 1-2.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE TAKE 2 STATE TITLES
May 2009
The Suns 4 Life 13U and 15U teams had high hopes as they traveled to Baltimore's St. Frances Academy in search of their first Maryland State AAU basketball titles. Neither would disappoint, as both teams walked away with the championship trophies. The 13's dominated pool play and were very confident going into the final game. The game started as a back and forth defensive battle, but the Suns pulled away late to secure a 7 point win.

The 15U contest was just the opposite. The Suns scored off the opening tip, then reeled off 10 straight points and never looked back. Aggressive defense and balanced scoring were the keys to victory in both games. A shout out also goes out to the 14U team for finishing in third place.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE SHINE BRIGHT AT MARYLAND STATE TOURNAMENT
April 2009
Congratulations to the Ingram/Perry 13U and 15U teams for advancing to the finals of the Division III MD District State AAU Basketball Tournament. The Suns 4 Life 13U boys basketball team looked very impressive, using aggressive defense and balanced scoring to win by an average of 36 points. Both the 13U and 15U teams posted 3-0 records as they advance to their championship games. The championship games will be held May 9th at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, MD.

A shout out also goes to the Ingram/Perry 14U team for placing third in their age group. Unfortunately, they were not able to fully regroup after losing a player to a broken arm during game one and then losing another player to a severely sprained ankle during game two. All 3 teams will participate in the awards ceremony on May 9th.
 

SUNS 4 LIFE RISE ATOP THE MOUNT
April 2009
The Suns 4 Life basketball teams had a very strong showing at the Mount St. Mary's Easter Round Robin. The four teams that competed posted a 10-2 record. Congratulations to the Ingram/Perry 15U and 14U teams for going undefeated, both posting 3-0 records. The Ingram/Perry 13U and Hagins/Anderson 14U teams also looked impressive, each finishing with records of 2-1. The final game for the 13U team went down to the wire. The 13's got off to a slow start, but stormed back in the second half. Unfortunately, their run came up two points short. We would like to thank all the parents for coming out and supporting your children and this organization.

Shout Outs for 2008 Season!
Congratulations to our 13U team coached by Robert Ingram and Derrick Perry for taking 2nd place in the Mavericks Ironhorse tournament in Brunswick, MD! They had 4 wins and 1 loss. Unfortunately, the loss was in the championship game against Hagerstown B-ballers. It proved to be an exciting game that went down to the wire and was reminiscent of the Celtics and Lakers!
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Congratulations to our 14U team coached by Robert Ingram and Derrick Perry for making it to the semi-finals in the Metro Sixers tournament in Rockville, MD! They earned much respect from DC Assault and Team Melo!
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Congratulations to our 12U team coached by Kevin Meredith and Alex Lecouna for taking 3rd place in the Charm City Spring Fever Challenge in Baltimore, MD!
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Congratulations to our 13U team coached by Robert Ingram and Derrick Perry for taking 2nd place in the Cardinal April Opener in Alexandria, VA!
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