NH Rivals Advance to Semifinals at Main Event in Vegas

July 29th, 2009
NERR Junior Elite Division

The New Hampshire Rivals posted their most recent tremendous finish this past week as they advanced to the semi-finals of the Main Event tournament in Las Vegas.

2009 has been close to a dream season for the New Hampshire Rivals (the sister organization of the Mass Rivals), including championships at the Providence Jam Fest and the New Hampshire state tournament. 

But after their recent trip to Las Vegas, it turns out the final chapter of this season's story book may end up being the best. 

The Rivals advanced all the way to the semi-finals of Vision Sports' Main Event Tournament, one of the three major tournaments to take place in Las Vegas last week. 

Noah Vonleh (Haverhill, MA) and Demitri Floras (Merrimack, NH) have been a dominant 1-2 punch all season long for the Rivals, and they were nothing less in Vegas.  The Rivals opened by going undefeated (3-0) in pool play before winning three more games in bracket play to advance all the way to the semi-finals before running into Team California. 

Floras poured in 22 points in a win over the DeSoto Hornets, from Dallas, in the quarterfinals utilizing his ability to slash to the basket and finish.  Vonleh added 14 points of his own while also controlling the glass.  Also making contributions for the Rivals were Justin Sandberg (Hamstead, NH) with cluth three-point shooting and tough perimeter defense and Brandon Malloch (Merrimack, NH) who hit a number of big shots down the stretch of the game.    

Other members of the Rivals u14 team include Doug Gemmell, Mabor Gabriel, Ryan Grant, Joel Barroa, Travis Descoteaux, and Mike Barry.