The Western Howard County Heat fifth-grade boys basketball team, coached by Mike Currie, captured the championship for its division in a hard-fought contest against the Germantown Hardknocks, coached by Seth Scharf, Dec. 28.

Earlier in the double-elimination tournament, the Heat defeated the Hardknocks, 31-30, in a close game, forcing the Hardknocks into the consolation bracket. The Hardknocks won the consolation bracket to earn a position in the championship game against the undefeated Heat.

In the championship game, the Hardknocks played hard to secure a 33-27 victory, which then forced a final eight-minute championship game to name a "champion." The Heat were ultimately victorious, 13-12, and celebrated the win as tournament guest Santa Claus presented the championship awards.

The Heat coaching staff for the tournament included Currie and assistant coaches Vince Ippolito and Brian Schwartz. The team consists of Christopher Currie, Ryan Dry, Jake Edmondson, Michael Ippolito, Dean Schwartz, Jacob Waterworth, Sam White and Charles Wilson.

Tournament proceeds will support St. Michael's Youth and Young Adult Ministry, including an upcoming young adult mission trip to Mandeville, Jamaica and a summer youth work camp with Habitat for Humanity in Western Maryland.

The second-year event was organized by St. Michael's Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Ted Burkhardt and parishioner Scott Foster. Foster is a referee for the National Basketball Association who initiated the tournament as a way to support youth sports while supporting social justice programs.

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