On Friday November 27, New York played against New Jersey and won easily 93-70. New Jersey has never beaten New York in any games which they have played in. New York had the height advantage and had nine players compared with New Jersey’s five. New York trailed only once in the game after trailing 3-0 in the first few seconds. However Scott Zakian quickly tied the game and led to the end. At times New York enjoyed leads of ten and fifteen points and led at half time 42-33.

In the second half New York applied pressure and built leads of twenty points. New York won 93-70 and advanced to the semi-finals after getting a bye in the second round. Arek Papelian led New York with 20 points, Scott Zakian had 19, Allan Babaian had 16 including four 3-pointers, and Ari Papelian had 13 points. New Jersey was led by Joe Kasparian who had 31 points including eight 3-pointers.

The way the schedule was set up (by Montreal) New York had to face the powerful Los Angeles team in the semi-final round after only playing one game. New York was not afraid of this challenge. The game was played on Sturday November 28, 1998. Both teams traded early baskets and kept trading leads of two and three points. With one minute remaining New York enjoyed a 34-30 lead, but that’s when disaster hit. They allowed LA to score the next nine points and take a 39-34 half time lead.

In the second half New York tied LA at 42, however Eddie Shamlian (NY’s point guard) and Scott Zakian picked up their fourth fouls with sixteen minutes still remaining in the game. Los Angeles went on a 15-0 run and lead by 21 points with 10 minutes remaining. In the middle of LA’s run Ari Papelian also picked up his fourth foul. Coach Vicken Shekookian inserted Simon Bardizbanian ,Serge Avakian and then Scott Zakian back into the game while LA had their second unit. New York started a 12-0 run and had cut the LA lead to 66-59 before LA called a time out and reinserted their starting team. However NY continued this brilliant comeback now being cheered by the Montreal spectators and trailed by ONLY two points at 70-68 with three minutes remaining. A key defensive rebounding mistake cost NY two points and on the next inbounds, a line violation was called which LA converted into two points and now led 74-68. After trying so hard NY was frustrated with this mistake and could not recover from it. Eddie Shamlian fouled out with two and a half minutes remaining, while LA enjoyed shooting free throws as NY was fouling them to try and catch up. The final score was 85-77 for LA, after the game LA players expressed their suprise in NY’s comeback effort and respected them for it.

Scott Zakian led NY with 27 points, Allan Babaian had 21, and Arek Papelian had 13 points. All the spectators and players form different teams watching confirmed that the LA-NY game should have been the final game had it not been for the schedule. The BEST TWO teams in this tournament unfortunately had to meet in the semi-finals.

LA was to play Cambridge; which had UPSET Montreal “A” in the semis, Sunday afternoon after the New York team left Montreal. We assume LA won BIG!!!!!!

In other games....San Francisco’s women’s volleyball team defeated New Jersey in the volleyball final to win the championship. While Montreal teams swept all remaining division in basketball, volleyball and floor hockey. Toronto captured second place in these same categories.

Overall the tournament was very well organized by the Montreal Homenetmen “Gamk” chapter. Our THANKS to; the Organizing committee chairperson Raffi Froundjian, Homenetmen Gamk chairperson Jirair Kasparian and especially the Welcoming committee of Lydia Barsoumian, Taline Seropian, and Tamar Pilarjian, who made our stay in Montreal more enjoyable.