The 2006 PSAL NYC Handball Team Championship between the Wolves of Grand Street Campus and the Tigers of Fort Hamilton High School was held yesterday in Central Park. Fort Hamilton’s road to the finals included a dominating semi-finals win over the Bryant Owls. The Grand Street Campus Wolves’ path included an impressive semi-final victory over the Mckee/Staten Island Tech Seagulls.

With these two powerful teams, the city team championship was guaranteed to be a great match. After winning the coin toss, Coach Fitzpatrick, of Fort Hamilton, elected to start with First Doubles. The Tiger’s roars were loud as they had a comfortable 17-11 lead, but it was the Grand Street Campus’ Rodriguez brothers, who after exhausting all available timeouts, made the loudest noise. It was all up to the second server Luis Rodriguez whose powerful serves changed the score to 19-17 in Grand Street’s favor. Before the Tigers could finally retire the service, Fort managed to gain two more points. However, the Rodriguez brother’s, after making such a great comeback, were not about to let it all go. Luis and Ricardo came back to the service zone and ended the rally with a 21-19 win.

The Wolves then sent out Third Singles William Martinez vs the Tigers Christi Aguirre. Aguirre, appearing a bit nervous, could not handle the Ace Serves that were rocketed his way by Martinez. As a result, Aguirre’s hopes of 1-1 tie with deflated with a 21-7 defeat.

Down 0-2 in the best out of five games Fort Hamilton brought out Second Singles Michael Leung, who eliminated his opponent with ease 21-0. Coach Coumarras of Grand Street, rather than calling for her Ace, Danny Rivera, to close the match, decided to hold Rivera in reserve and go with her Second Doubles Saul Gonzalez and Christo Santiago. The Tigers, Simon Duong and David Chu valiantly succumbed to the pressure of the pivotal game and could not catch up to the Wolves powerful overhand swings and low kill shots, finally going down to defeat in the championship game, 21-14. The Grand Street Campus’ Pack of Wolves is now the 2006 Boys Handball Team Champions! Finally, after the commotion of celebrating calmed down, The Tiger’s Jonathan Camacho, showing great pride and determination, defeated Danny Rivera in a thrilling 21-18 game, closing the match 3-2.

Pictures Coming Soon