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Lancers basketball team plays Staples

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Contributed by: Mike Graceffo on 1/31/2007

The St. Francis Xavier Lancers School seventh and eighth-graders from Burbank , traveled recently to the Los Angeles Staples Center to play an exhibition game against an Orange County travelling basketball team, the morning of the Clipper-Grizzlie game.

Twelve players took to the court and faced off in a game against a tough team that was a little older and more experienced than the Burbank squad. The O.C. team won the game.Out of the 12 kids who were there for us, our team had eight seventh graders, compared to the other teams' all eighth grade team.

It was more of a fun game, not meant to count on any record books. Mike Graceffo, a team coach, said that the game helped get "us ready for a tough league opponent the following day. We wound up winning that game." In addition to playing on the Staples Center Court, The team, parents, and coaches sold tickets before hand, and those that wanted to stay were able to watch the Clippers beat the Grizzlies later that day.

"I think the parents were just as excited if not more than the kids were," Graceffo said." It was a great experience for our Players, Parents, Fans, and Coaches, just to be able to walk out on that court. You could just see the kids faces, how excited they were.

"They were in awe of the place.

"But once we got out there and started playing the kids relaxed and had a great time."

The kids learned a lot from the game.

The team is currently tied for first place with a 3-1 league record. The next game for the Lancers is set for 3:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at home vs. St. Finbar Vikings at 3601 Scott Road, Burbank.

The St. FrancisRosterConsist of:

Chris Aguilar
Will Besu
Tommy Carver
Nathan Del Rosario
Philip Diaz
Adam Goldsworthy
Matthew Kaufman
Spencer Khoury
Andrew Maddigan
Jordan Matias
Joe Shashaty
Danny Velladao
Jimmy Villarreal

In addition to Graceffo, the team is coached by Mike Velladao and Oscar Aguilar.

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