Saratoga News

The Saratoga all-stars won two of three games at the national basketball tournament. Members of the team include (front row, l-r) Michael Crosby, Spencer Jamison, Scotty Snider and Robert Kim; (middle row, l-r) Derek Cartmell, Micah Weger, Mazyar Astar and Max Sandigo; and (back row, l-r) coach Matt Crosby, coach Greg Jamison, Paul Zebb III, Chris Chalfant, Bill Wallace and coach Paul Zebb II.

Saratoga sends teams to basketball nationals

By Dick Sparrer

To go to a national tournament is one thing. To win at a national tournament is another.

And the Saratoga National Junior Basketball all-stars did both this past season, winning a pair of games at the national tournament played in Fullerton.

In fact, Saratoga won two of three games at the nationals, knocking off Hacienda Heights 52-46 and Tustin 72-62 before falling to Central Sacramento 75-72.

Forward Micah Weger was the high scorer in the tourney for Saratoga, tossing in 59 points in the three games. Forward Maz Astar pitched in 36 points, center Paul Zebb III added 31 and forward Chris Chalfant popped 24.

Spencer Jamison and Michael Crosby were the playmakers for Saratoga and Bill Wallace, Weger and Zebb cleared the boards for the locals.

Saratoga earned the trip to Fullerton with a thrilling 59-58 come-from-behind win over Irvington in the qualifying tournament.

Derek Cartmell led the full-court press as Saratoga fought back from a nine-point deficit to pull out the win.

Astar came up with a key steal in the final minute, but it was a rebound by Weger that led to the game-winning shot by Crosby that clinched the win for Saratoga.

Zebb deflected two late shots by Irvington, and Saratoga had locked up the win and a trip to the nationals.

Weger led the locals with 26 points and Zebb joined him in double digits with 13, including 9-for-9 at the free-throw line.

Rounding out the team of eighth grade all-stars were Scotty Snider, Robert Kim, and Max Sandigo. Paul Zebb II, Matt Crosby and Greg Jamison were the coaches.

Three of the all-stars were members of the league champion Bulls during the regular season.

Cartmell, Kim and Zebb helped the Bulls to a 9-1 record to finish first in National Junior Basketball Division I play for seventh and eighth graders.

Zebb was a top scorer and rebounder for the Bulls and Cartmell starred defensively. Point guard Michael Chennault was another top scorer for the champs.