Gulf Breeze AAU team qualifies for national tournament
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News National bound The Gulf Breeze 16-under AAU basketball team qualified for the national tournament in Little Rock, Ark. in July because of their efforts at the Disney Easter Classic. They are (front row, from left): Ross O'Hara, Tyler Fairleigh and Trent Swann. Back (from left): David Keen, Drew Lynch, Jaylin Coulter, Jake Baker and William Keene.

The Gulf Breeze 16-under AAU basketball team took sixth place out of 15 teams at the Disney Easter Classic March 21-23.

The 16s beat the South Florida Union (B-team) from For Lauderdale 50-46 before losing to the Slidell (La.) Hawks 59-47. The Hawks scored the first 12 points of that game.

The 16s beat the Tampa Bay Warriors 75-71 in double overtime before being eliminated 72-44 to the South Florida Union A-team. Gulf Breeze led 20-6 early in that game, but trailed by one at the half.

The win qualified the 16s for the national tournament in Little Rock, Ark. July 7-12.

Jaylin Coulter was the 16s leading scorer - he had 22 in the loss to the Hawks and 25 in the win over the Warriors.

The 17-under boys team, playing in the Juniors Division, lost to the Coastal Crew Rebels from Hinesville, Ga. 77-51 in their opener before beating the Central Florida Hawks from Orlando 62-50. Dustin Clements had 30 points and 21 rebounds in the win.

The 17s won their single elimination opener 86-52 over the Warriors before losing to eventual champion Showtime Ballers 92-49.

Both the U16s and U17s lost to the eventual runners up and champions in their respective brackets.

AAU tryouts

April 19-20 at GBHS

Tryouts for Gulf Breeze's 11U to 14U teams will take place April 19-20 from 2-6 p.m. at the GBHS Gym.

For more information, contact either David McGreal (375- 5413) or Joel Swann (287- 4244).