With the growing phenomenon that AAU basketball is, the high-profile showcase tournaments, where players can be scouted by college coaches, have been a must-attend for prospects that want to play college basketball. These events happen on many different weekends during the summer months, mostly in July. That has hurt local teams from the Lehigh Valley when it comes to the two major basketball tournaments that the District 11 teams are able to showcase their teams and what they will look like come the winter season.

The Parkland boys basketball team was without one of its key players for the opening game on Friday night and a part three Saturday games, as the Trojans finished 2-2 and had one of the quicker exits that they’ve had in recent years at the double-elimination style Stellar “Catch A Rising Star” tournament at Cedar Beach Park last weekend, ending the quest for a repeat championship from last summer.

Senior Sam Iorio, the lone returning starter from the four-time District 11 champions, missed Friday and most of Saturday’s action so there were a lot of new faces for the Trojans.

“It was a new feel out there [without Iorio], but it’s a good group of kids who are hungry to compete,” said head coach Andy Stephens. “I thought for the most part our kids competed and played well, at least in spurts. We were unfortunate with some results not going our way.”

Parkland opened tournament play with a three-point loss to Exeter, 58-55 on Friday evening, forcing them to fight out of the elimination bracket from the start.

On Saturday morning, the Trojans got back to their winning ways, taking down Wyomissing 59-41 behind 13 points from Liam Thompson. The following game a few short hours later, they accounted their second victory 55-52 over Bangor. Michael Zeky led the way with 15 points.

Parkland faced its third game of the day later that evening inside of the high school gymnasium (due to rain), and faced off against a tournament regular and perennial contender, Glen Mills.

Glen Mills was just too big and physical inside, and used their height and athleticism to their advantage, ending the tournament run for the Trojans.

Parkland will look to bounce back this weekend with the second of two summer tournament showcases. Their first game of Sportsfest tips off Friday night at 9 p.m. against Harry S. Truman. It is a round-robin style tournament with the top two teams out of the group of four advance to Sunday’s playoffs. CB East and Palmerton make up the rest of Group A.

“I think we will come back ready to play this weekend,” said Stephens. “We have guys that want to play, and play well. We will have a new identity this year, and are in the process of molding that. I expect good things from them.”