Patterson 13- and 14-year-old All-Stars take home international title

The 13- and 14-year-old Patterson Biddy Basketball All-Stars won the International Champions title at the Biddy Basketball International Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., going 5-1 in the tournament and claiming a 54-52 victory against the Kansas City, Mo., Pumas in the championship game.
Patterson advanced to the championship game after going 2-0 in pool play with wins against the Pumas and St. James, Louisiana’s top team who Patterson finished second to at the state tournament.
In bracket play, Patterson defeated Missouri Tru Elite and the Kansas City Crusaders before falling to the Kansas City Pumas, 54-52. Because Patterson had not lost a game in the tournament, Kansas City and Patterson were forced to play another game 30 minutes after the first to determine the champion. Patterson defeated Kansas City 54-52 in the rematch.
“We (were) well disciplined, and we were in good shape so we were well prepared for those kinds of games,” Patterson coach Tron Triggs said of his team’s back-to-back games against Kansas City.
Triggs said he knew his squad wasn’t going to have an easy time in the tournament field, but the team was united and their hard work paid off in the end.
The Patterson team, made up of players from Morgan City, Berwick and Patterson, had several players earn individual honors.
Makye Richard was named Mr. Biddy, which is given to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Named All-American were Richard, John Brooks, Taaj Daniels and Tysin Meads.
Daniels was named Free Throw Champion, while Kesean Francois was second-runner-up in the Hot Shot contest.
The squad will be honored with a parade in Patterson. A line-up will be held at 9 a.m. at 1st and Church streets by Patterson Junior High and the parade will proceed to Catherine Street, turning left and ending at Patterson State Bank. A reception and award ceremony will immediately follow at the tennis courts on Catherine Street.