Team Crate Dominates Perimeter Sports Showdown

By Karen Valenti

The Team Crate Girls are officially on fire. On Father’s Day weekend at the Perimeter Sports Showdown held at Kingsborough Community College, the girls’ teams from Far Rockaway proved once again why they’re a force to be reckoned with. The 8th and 6th-grade squads both brought home championships, electrifying the gym and making their hometown proud.

Usually calm and smooth off the court, Coach Jeffrey Amponsah transforms into a high-energy, sideline-hyping force the moment his girls take the floor. With his signature swagger and proud girl dad energy, he led the 8th-grade squad to an undefeated run and yet another chip for the Crate Girls’ collection — all while catching the attention of some of New York City’s top high school programs. “This group is special. They don’t just play ball — they live it,” said Coach Jeff after celebrating his Father’s Day win. “These girls play like a family, and it shows every time they hit the court.”

This 8th grade team has gone from scrappy underdogs to certified ballers — with high-IQ play, tenacious defense, and a flair for the dramatic.

Point guard Alyssa Scarbrough (MS 183) is the team’s motor, slicing up defenses with ankle-breaking crossovers and slick finishes that left defenders spinning. Guard Jayla Thomas (PS 42) and forward Sanaa Tobias (Scholars’ Academy) were defensive standouts, swiping steals mid-air and turning them into fast-break points. Just shy of six-feet-tall, center Gina Franzone (Scholars’ Academy) dominated the paint — commanding double teams and clearing lanes for her teammates to take over.

Forward Kate Tyminski (Scholars’ Academy) showed up big in Game 2, dropping 22 points while pressing with Alyssa like a trap duo straight out of a highlight reel. Guard Juliana Rosario (Channel View) brought energy and flair, flashing deuces after each bucket and keeping Crate fans at the edge of their seat. Newcomer Anyla Melvin (Family Academy) made her debut count, rebounding relentlessly alongside forward Esther Obianefo (Scholars’ Academy), and turning second-chance opportunities into easy buckets.

This squad isn’t just talented — they’re flashy, fierce, and fun. With interest already coming in from schools like St. Francis Prep, St. John’s Prep, Christ the King, Holy Cross, Molloy, Nazareth, and Bishop Loughlin, these young athletes are putting the city on notice.

Not to be outdone, the 6th-grade girls, led by former Beach Channel star Coach Jill Palisi, put on a clinic of hustle and heart, securing a championship title of their own. Channeling her trademark toughness, Coach Jill has clearly passed down that same fire to her squad.

“These girls come from Beach 9th, Broad Channel, Breezy Point — you name it. They show up, compete, and they win,” Palisi said. “They look up to our 8th graders, and now they’re becoming role models themselves.”

The team features rising talent like guard Gianna Cedano, Jilly Palisi, and Jessaly Rosario — the younger sister of 8th-grade standout Juliana — all showing that the future of Team Crate is in good hands.

What makes Team Crate more than just another AAU program is its legacy. Former players, now excelling in high school and college, are returning to uplift the next generation as coaches. Arianna Davis, a 1,000-point scorer at St. Francis Prep and now committed to Iona University, is back in the gym coaching with Team Crate. Tierra Hendricks, fresh off a city and state championship with Nazareth and heading to Queens College, also returns to support the younger teams.

Even the youngest Crate players stepped up. The 3rd and 4th-grade team, playing in the 5th-grade division, held their own against older competition. They may not have brought home a trophy, but they brought the spirit, hustle, and growth that defines Team Crate.

Team Crate lives by one motto: “Play hard, lead with heart, and always come back to inspire those who look up to you.”

Father’s Day weekend was more than a tournament — it was a showcase of talent, unity, and the unstoppable rise of Far Rockaway’s next basketball generation. The future? It’s looking Crate.