Altoona Maroon, a squad of incoming freshmen, captured the Building II boys summer league championship on Tuesday, defeating Altoona White 49-40 in a game that never saw the younger side trail.
From the opening tip the Maroon squad established control, jumping out to a 7-2 run led by Kionte Barnes, who would finish with a game‑high 20 points.
Key Performances
Kionte Barnes led all scorers with 20 points, attributing his efficiency to a daily practice routine and his ease in driving to the rim.
Nysir Shields made a crucial hustle play in the fourth quarter, corralling a loose ball that helped Altoona Maroon pull away.
Zyell Miller contributed a triple and an old‑fashioned three‑point play, adding depth to the offense.
Altoona White, composed mostly of sophomores with a single junior, mounted a late rally but could not overcome the Maroon’s relentless defense.
The championship gives the young Maroon players a confidence boost as they look ahead to the high school season.