It’s not everyday that student athletes get the opportunity to compete to go to the US Youth Olympics. However, two of our own BPHS basketball players, sophomore Ryan Meis and junior Maria Cerro, are getting their chance this weekend.

Both Meis and Cerro’s AAU coach, Joe Lewandowski, is involved in USA basketball and sent out their highlight tapes to the organization. Therefore, they got invited to compete in the 2018 USA 3×3 U18 National Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Meis will be competing for Team Alpha, alongside teammates Isaac DeGregorio (Hampton H.S.), Aydin Hanousek (Canfield H.S.), and Kade Persinger (Grove City H.S.). Team Alpha will play five games on Saturday, March 24. They are then guaranteed three games Sunday, March 25. If Meis’ team is winning, however, they will continue to play on Sunday until they either lose or get to the championship game which is at 1:20 p.m. on Sunday. Click here for more info.

Cerro will be a part of Team Bruins. Her teammates include Jenna Clark (Thomas Jefferson H.S.), Maggie Moore (Southmoreland H.S.), and Gillian Piccolino (Keystone Oaks H.S.). Cerro and Team Bruins will play two games on Saturday, March 24, and depending on their record, they will advance into Sunday. If they continue to win, they will play in the quarterfinals, then semifinals, then the championship game at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Click here for more info.

The winner of the tournament will get the opportunity to represent the United States at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 6-18.