2002 - 2003 Gladiator Season

Game Summaries
Gladiators 13 - 15U
Ministry in Action (MIA) Tournament

The Ministry In Action Tournament is for the primary purpose of reaching young people and pointing out to them that Jesus Christ can be a real alternative to a wasted life. MIA understands that recreation is a strong attraction. MIA's goal is to have young people engage in sports, using it as an evangelistic tool to reach out and draw others (Christians and Non-Christians) to enjoy themselves through a sense of competition as well as fellowship with others. At the same time, we have our young people focused on some important things in life that give purpose and meaning:

Development of a Christ like Character
Knowledge of God's plan for our lives

The MIA Tournament was held at multiple sites: Bethel Gospel Assembly, The Salvation Army (125th & 3rd Ave.) and P.S. 11 (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

The 2003 Gladiators 15U team were waiting all year to finally play in this tournament. The Gladiators featured feature Captain Tysean Afflick, Eric Govantes, James Cade, Thomas Cooksey, Jamie White, Curtis Bunn, Martin Nicholas, Robert Paulin, Steffon Colon, Eric Motley, Hakeem Todman, Isiah Walker, Jamell White, Steffon Hawkins and Randy Johnson.

May 3, 2003
Betel - 53 Gladiators - 48
Gladiators Record: 0-1

Apparently, it was too early in morning for the Gladiators as they fell to Betel, 53 - 48. In a game that started at 9:30 AM, it took the Gladiators too long to get going. The Gladiators were without big men Martin Nicholas, James Cade and Curtis Bunn. Tysean Afflick and Isiah Walker had to control the boards. This is a combination of both the A & B teams playing for the time and they need a game or two to gel. Although Betel was basically the same size, their hustle and desire was quite evident. The Gladiators will have to make adjustments quickly this year as the tournament has been shortened due to lack of time.

May 10, 2003
Gladiators - 58 St. James - 41
Gladiators Record: 1-1

The Gladiators were able to regroup and come back strong by posting an impressive 58 - 41 victory over St. James. This was a team effort as Coach Jude Baptiste has to find playing time for 12 - 14 players. Not everyone is welcoming the shared playing time but for the most part everyone has excepted their roles on the team. Tysean Afflick and Curtis Bunn posted good games as well as Eric Govantes. The Gladiators were able to improve to 1 - 1 at MIA.

May 17, 2003
1st Corinthian - 64 Gladiators - 49
Gladiators Record: 1-2

The early morning game time seemed to hurt the Gladiators again as they fell to 1st Corinthian, 64 - 49. The Gladiators were missing several key players including Captain Tysean Afflick , Jamie White and James Cade. 1st Corinthian came to play ball and the Gladiators did not. 1st Corinthian out-hustled, out-rebounded and just outplayed the Gladiators at both ends of the court. Down by as many 25 points, the Gladiators made a mini run to cut the deficit to 9 points late in the 4th quarter. 1st Corinthian would have no parts of losing as they scored the final 6 points of the game. The Gladiators fell to 1 - 2 at MIA.

May 31, 2003
Union Baptist (A) - 2 Gladiators - 0 (forfeit)
Gladiators Record: 1-3

June 7, 2003
Brown Memorial - 53 Gladiators - 48
Gladiators Record: 1-4

Evidently 5 was not enough, as the Gladiators ran out of gas, falling to Brown Memorial 53 - 48. The Gladiators dressed only 5 players (Steffon Colon, Eric Govantes, James Cade, Martin Nicholas and Chris Marshall)and were without several key players including Tysean Afflick, Curtis Bunn, Robert Paulin, Thomas Cooksey, Jaime White and Jamell White. Although Brown was bigger they were not better. Chris Marshall played for the first time and posted an excellent game in a losing effort. The Gladiators held their own for 3 1/2 quarters as they led through most of the game but were unable to sustain this intensity for 4 quarters. Turnovers and fatigue led to the Gladiators demise and they fell to 1 - 4 at MIA.

June 14, 2003
Union Baptist - 61 Gladiators - 39
Gladiators Record: 1-5

The Gladiators finished off their regular season in very disappointing fashion, losing to Union Baptist 61 - 39. The Gladiators ended the regular season at MIA with a 1 - 5 record, their worst in their 3 year history of MIA. Although everyone makes the playoffs, the Gladiators will have to pull off a miracle if they are to advance deep.

June 20, 2003
Gladiators 41 - Brown Memorial - 37 (OT)
PLAYOFFS - 1ST ROUND

Chris Marshall and Eric Govantes lead the 9th Seed Gladiators to score a 41 - 37 overtime victory over 7th seed Brown Memorial. This was an overall team effort as the Gladiators were missing Tysean Afflick, Jamie White and Steffon Colon. Big men Curtis Bunn, James Cade and Martin Nicholas came to play as they gave all they had. But as hard as the Gladiators played, they were still down by 8 points going into the 4th quarter. That's when Coach Jude Baptiste lit a fire under Eric Govantes on the defensive end. Govantes caused several turnovers that the Gladiators turned into points. At the same time, Chris Marshall caught fire on the offensive end. Marshall was in a different zone as he refused to let his team lose. Once the Gladiators were able to tie the score at the end of regulation, Marshall took over from there. The Gladiators will now advance to the second round where 3rd Seed St. Clare is waiting....

June 21, 2003
St. Clare - 57 Gladiators - 51
PLAYOFFS - 2ND ROUND

In a game that felt more like robbery, the 9th seed Gladiators were defeated by 3th seed St. Clare 57 - 51. This game will leave a sour feeling with the Gladiators for some time. St. Clare was physically bigger and stronger on paper; this game seemed like a mismatch. The Gladiators went into this game with the attitude of "No one believes the Gladiators are supposed to be here". This was a team hellbent on proving that they were a whole lot better than their 2 - 5 record. After one quarter, the Gladiators were only down 1. This was despite playing a very sloppy 1st quarter of basketball. Jamie White and Martin Nicholas entered the game in the 2nd quarter and provided the spark the Gladiators needed to establish a 5 point halftime lead. Although the Gladiators were able to sustain their lead through three quarters, the officiating was extremely lopsided in St. Clare's favor. The Gladiators big men (Curtis Bunn, James Cade and Martin Nicholas) were in serious foul trouble on some very questionable calls. Meanwhile none of St. Clare's men had as many as two fouls despite the fact that the Gladiators took the ball to the hole. The turning point of the game came when Curtis Bunn was called for his 4th foul. Visible upset by the call, he was then charged with a technical foul. MIA abides by Official High School Rules that state that a player who accumulates 5 fouls must foul out. The Gladiators, unaware of the this ruling, were irate. St. Clare seized the opportunity to go on a 17 - 4 run. That sealed the Gladiators fate as they were able to stop the bleeding once it started. This team should not hold their heads down as they played a hell of game and showed everyone at MIA that definitely belong in this tournament.

Special thanks to the players: