Tuesday, May 20, 2025
48 ° Clear
48 ° Clear
In a landmark moment for the Council Rock Basketball Association (CRBA), the 4th grade boys travel team clinched the ICBA (Inter-County Basketball Association) championship, making them the first 4th grade boys travel team in this association since 2011 to earn this distinction. The team delivered an impressive 35-21 win over Warminster last month at Holland Middle School.
The season was nothing short of dominant. Council Rock wrapped up with a 13-1 record, outscoring their opponents 456 to 252 over the course of the season. Assistant Coach Dan Joworisak, who guided the team alongside Head Coach Jim Greenberg, couldn’t be prouder of the group.
“We knew early on that we were pretty good, and they just kept working during the season and getting better,” said Joworisak. “When they won, all the boys went crazy. Since they are so young, they had never won a championship before. It’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
The team is made up of ten fourth graders, most from Northampton Township with two from Newtown. Six of the boys had already been playing together on last year’s third-grade travel team, while a few new faces joined for this championship run. The team practiced twice a week, mostly at Holland Middle School, where they developed both skills and chemistry.
The ICBA league features competition from across Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Council Rock’s only loss of the season came early on, and they bounced back with strong performances the rest of the way. Their championship opponent, Warminster, came into the final with a strong 10-2 record—but both of those losses were to Council Rock.
“The championship game was packed,” recalled Joworisak. “We had a DJ playing for all friends and family of the team members. It was a fun environment. At halftime we were only up one or two points, but by the end of the third quarter, we really pulled away. The kids executed the game plan perfectly.”
On top of their ICBA success, the team also competed in the highly competitive Renegades Basketball League, where they reached another championship game—this time against a fifth-grade AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team from Plymouth Whitemarsh. Despite being younger, the Council Rock boys finished with an 8-2 regular-season record and earned second place overall.
Coach Joworisak emphasized the character of the team as a key to their success: “This was a special group. They were very motivated, very humble. The parents were so supportive and encouraging. It’s the best experience I’ve ever had in youth sports.”
“All ten kids came to every practice, knew what to do, worked well together, and cheered each other on,” said Joworisak. “They genuinely liked each other, and that made a difference.”
Because of their standout season, Council Rock received an invitation to the Pennsylvania State Tournament, a prestigious honor, but the team opted not to attend due to conflicts with spring baseball and other sports commitments.
Still, the boys have plenty to be proud of. Championship sweatshirts, individual trophies, and a big end-of-season party capped off their incredible run.
Looking ahead, Joworisak and Greenberg are hoping to continue coaching the team as they move up to fifth grade. With their strong foundation and team-first mentality, the future looks bright for this remarkable group of young athletes.
“This league championship wasn’t just about winning,” said Joworisak. “It was about growth, teamwork, and creating memories. That’s what youth sports are all about.”
