Marysville, Arlington AAU teams lead at Feeder Cup

The Arlington eighth-grade and Marysville sixth-grade AAU basketball teams helped lead the Wesco Youth Basketball League in the first-ever Feeder Cup in Stanwood.

By Danielle Szulczewski • March 17, 2009 1:37 pm
Marysville AAU basketball player Cole Grinde goes for a lay-up.
Marysville AAU basketball player Cole Grinde goes for a lay-up.

The Arlington eighth-grade and Marysville sixth-grade AAU basketball teams helped lead the Wesco Youth Basketball League in the first-ever Feeder Cup in Stanwood.

The Wesco league and Eastside Traveling League each sent four teams from their fifth- through eighth-grade leagues to compete March 14-15 as teams earned points for their league by beating rival teams.

Although the ETL won the Cup 37-27, Arlington and Marysville teams did their part, each winning all four of their games at host school Stanwood.

The Arlington boys defeated Skyline 57-43 and Inglemoor 65-56 on the first day and took down ETL No. 4 seed Eastlake by their biggest margin of the tournament, 63-49. On the tournament’s second day, Arlington met another undefeated team, ETL champion Eastside Catholic, who they beat 72-60. Arlington players Dan Boyden and A.J. Passalacqua made the all-tournament team. According to Arlington coach Guy Kennedy, Boyden averaged a double-double throughout the tournament while Passalacqua hit 13 three-pointers over the four games.

“Our starters were dominant during the games which allowed every player to get a lot of playing time. Cory Haas made the most of his time by averaging 10 points per game over the four games. Zach Kurtz played well backing up Boyden,” Kennedy said.

The Marysville sixth-graders entered last weekend’s Wesco tournament second place in the team standings after late-season losses to Shorecrest and Cascade.

The team, coached by Max Green and Tomahawk basketball player Justin Perez, improved on their fifth-place tournament finish the year before, narrowly defeating King’s in a semifinal game, earning a rematch against Cascade in the tourney championship.

Marysville answered Cascade’s three-point shooting with a box-in one defense that shut down the outside threat. Green credited the team’s defense and transition play for keeping the Bruins out of their rhythm.

A No. 1 seed entering the Feeder Cup, the Tomahawks won all four of their games with Payton Hadley-Comenote and Cole Grinde making the all-tournament team.

Players Jared Wade, Landon Riker, Michael Painter and Hadley-Comenote came in second in the three-point competition, Green added.