ANS’ remarkable basketball team recently left its mark on the regional stage at the AASCA competition in Panama. With the basketball team’s last appearance in 2019, the team was happy to put ANS back on track this year as they work themselves up to creating a stronger team.
Hosted by ISP and Balboa Academy, the team departed on October 18th and returned on the 22nd. Although they secured the 7th place, this young and determined team greatly represented the American Nicaraguan School as it showcased immense potential and determination.
Led by co-captains Gian Carlo Palazio and Maximus Parrales, alongside the guidance from their coaches Norland Ramirez, Kevin Alvarado and Sandro Ortiz, this team’s journey through the AASCA competition is a testament to their dedication and aspirations.
The team features players with diverse skills and positions. Siblings Gian Carlo Palazio and Marcel Palazio hold the fort point guards, offering precision and court vision. Maximus Parrales, Marco Gallardo, Joseph Green, Matteo Benavente, Gerardo Icaza, and Ricky López are shooting guards. Tito Sequeira and José Ángel Rodríguez add depth to the game as small forwards, while the team’s defensive stronghold lies with centers Fernando Baldizon and Daniel Rodriguez.
The team’s training schedule depicts the team’s dedication. They hone their skills diligently, with sessions scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons, as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings. They also take advantage of Saturdays, with morning sessions from 8:00 to 10:00, underlining their commitment to improvement.
As the team reflects on their AASCA journey, it’s clear that they are a group determined to move up the ranks in Central American basketball. Gian Carlo Palazio spoke as a representative of his team, stating that “their youth and the inclusion of two middle schoolers suggest that this is a construction year, a stepping stone for what lies ahead.”
With next year’s AASCA on the horizon, the team has created a base of discipline that will lead them to greater accomplishments. It is safe to say that the American Nicaraguan School’s Tigers are on an upward trajectory toward basketball excellence.
