The Gauchos picked up right where they left off last summer, despite losing their standout guard trio of Russell Robinson, Sundiata Gaines and Ronald Ramon.
Junior guard Levance Fields earned MVP honors after scoring 23 points in a 68-47 win over the Metro Hawks (formerly Riverside Church) to claim the title at the Playaz Spring Fling.
Even more impressive was that the Gauchos were without their star sophomore, 6-foot-9 Curtis Kelly.
The Gauchos cruised past National Christian, 73-61, in the quarterfinals. Fields finished with 17 and Nyan Boateng, who had 15 in the title game, added 12.
Then the Gauchos took care of the New Jersey All-Stars, 61-47, in the semis before rolling past the Metro Hawks, which were without star big man Tyrell Biggs, in the championship contest.
In the under-16 championship game, it was Kimani Barrett who earned MVP honors to lead the Playaz Red to a 79-63 win over Philly MJC. Nick Vier added 22 points for the Playaz.
D-One Sports captured the under-15 division with a 71-68 overtime victory over the L.I. Lightning in the title game. Maurice Marley scored 21 and Kevin Williams added 14 in the win.
Here are the complete playoff results:
Championship:
Gauchos 68, Metro Hawks 47
Semifinals:
Metro Hawks 72, Playaz Basketball Club 61
Gauchos 61, N.J. All-Stars 47
Quarterfinals:
Gauchos 73, National Christian 61
Metro Hawks 72, N.Y. Panthers 70
N.J. All-Stars 49, D.C. Assault 40
Playaz Basketball Club 88, N.Y. Ravens 80 (OT)
16-under Final:
Playaz Red 79, Philly MJC 63
15-under Final:
D-One Sports 71, L.I. Lightning 68 (OT)