Senior-laden Bucks Win Second Straight SYBA Championship

The Southington Youth Basketball Association champion Bucks. DAN FAPPIANO PHOTOS

Al Rosenberg has been involved with the Southington Youth Basketball Association for the past four decades. Still, the current co-director hadn’t seen many championship games like the 2025-26 season’s version. The Bucks battled through a fiery Suns comeback attempt to win 70-64 and earn their second-straight SYBA crown. It was the type of game that Rosenberg believes helps define what the league is all about.

“This game,” Rosenberg said of what he’ll remember most about the year. “It was the best, most exciting game we had of the whole season. To have a finals that finished up that way is absolutely tremendous. We had a huge crowd which is always great, this gym electrifies everything. Couldn’t be more proud. The kids played great and they were all good sportsmen.”

At 7-1, the Suns entered the championship as the No. 2 seed while the Bucks’ 6-2 record put them at No. 4. In their regular season matchup, the Suns came away with a 65-56 victory. Now facing off with the title on the line, Bucks senior Jaxiel Rivera knew his team had to put forth a much stronger effort.

“That team, they’re shooters,” Rivera said. “The first time we played them, I underestimated them. But they came in shooting, so we knew we had to step up. We had to lock in.”

Bucks Battle Through Suns’ Late Run

The Bucks came out of the gates hot, jumping out to a 21-8 lead after the first quarter. Rivera led the way with seven points while senior Jackson Colwick and freshman Bryce Zielenski each had six. While Suns sophomore Ben Swift scored eight points in the second quarter, Rivera, Colwick and senior Mitch Zielenski combined for 16 to give the Bucks a 39-25 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter though, the Suns found their stride from behind the arc. Junior Jake Bonefant hit three three-pointers while sophomores Josh Bonefant and Cole Lefkowitz each made one. The three-ball onslaught led to the Suns cutting the lead to 55-42.

Their barrage didn’t stop in the fourth quarter either. Each Bonenfant hit another triple as Lefkowitz hit two. Swift added six points of his own. And with only 30 seconds remaining, the Suns had cut the lead to just three.

But for any bending the Bucks might’ve done, they did not break. Rivera scored eight points in the quarter while senior Alec Xayvethy made a three. The senior Zielenski made all four of his free throw attempts while Rivera went two-of-three. The Suns may have added some late drama, but the Bucks held on for the 70-64 victory.

Colwick was feeling confident entering the championship game. His play matched his attitude as he scored 16 points. For any bumps in the road, the senior knew the Bucks had all the tools necessary to succeed.

“We won last year, we knew we were going to win this year,” Colwick said. “No question. “Halftime, we kind of struggled, but we came back and got it done.”

“I just knew I was going to have a good night,” he continued. “I started making threes in the beginning of the game, I knew I was going to continue it. I tried to get my teammates some points too. Had to give it all around.”

Head coach Jim Smith has now watched the Bucks win back-to-back titles. The team’s first championship run featured his son James on the squad. While he may have graduated, Smith knew his time with the Bucks wasn’t over.

“My son was on the team last year. He told me that we couldn’t do it. So I had to come back and make sure that we did it,” Smith said of going back-to-back. “It was a pleasure. These kids are great to be around. I have a lot of fun. It’s just great. I enjoy it, I love to give back. I might have to come again another year.”

In the championship, Rivera led the Bucks with 27 points in front of Colwick’s 16. Both Zielenski brothers dropped 10. On the Suns, Lefkowitz scored a team-high 20 while Swift had 16. Josh Bonefant scored 14 as Jake Bonefant had 12.

Coach Smith Runs It Back With Seniors

There were plenty of reasons Smith decided to return to SYBA despite his son’s graduation. For starters, he saw the kind of team the Bucks would have this season. Between their defense and grit, a second championship was a very realistic goal.

“That’s why we’re here,” Smith said. “We have a good defense and they just don’t let up. I have a lot of confidence with this team. Teams are going to have spurts all the time, but we don’t let up. We go right down to the buzzer. That’s what we did today.”

Beyond their traits on the basketball court though, Smith understood the character of the players he would be coaching. Many of them seniors, it would be their last opportunity to compete in SYBA. When those players asked him to come back, Smith’s Bucks decision was sealed.

“That’s one of the reasons I came back,” Smith said of the seniors. “These kids are awesome. They asked me if I would come back. I’m so grateful to have come back and coached these kids, they’re a bunch of great young men. The same guys on the team this year, I’m looking forward to maybe doing it again next year.”

Helping lead this year’s senior class is Rivera, who won SYBA Championship Game MVP with his game-high 27 points. Now in his second year in the league, he doesn’t know what it’s like to not win a championship. But when it comes to any title, be it champion or MVP, Rivera is quick to credit his teammates.

“I couldn’t have done it without my team,” Rivera said. “Giving me the ball and them letting me hoop. I passed the ball around and they did their thing. Couldn’t have done it without them.”

As Rivera prepares to graduate from SYBA, he certainly won’t forget the championship runs. But at the same time, playing for the Bucks allowed him to connect further and gave the senior lifelong connections.

“It was fun, I was playing with all my friends,” Rivera said. “The competition was there. I had a good time with my team and made a lot of connections.”

Colwick, who played three years in the SYBA, shared Rivera’s sentiment towards fostering unforgettable friendships. But for the Bucks to reach the pinnacle of the league, Colwick will remember fully what it took to get there.

“Running suicides everyday, we didn’t want to,” Colwick said. “Two championships came out of that. Clearly it worked. Put max effort in every single play. Don’t give up.”

The Bucks’ 2025-26 roster featured seniors: Jackson Colwick, Jaxiel Rivera, Mitch Zielenski, Alec Xayvethy and Mason Nardi; juniors: August Reidinger and Joe Flanigan; sophomores: Ethan Herens and Jaxon Nardi; alongside freshmen: Bryce Zielenski, PJ Holland and Brodin Lord. Head coach Jim Smith was joined by assistant coach August Reidinger.

SYBA Award Winners

Before the championship game was played, SYBA handed out a number of awards. Alongside his Championship Game MVP, Rivera was named First-Team All-SYBA. He was joined by fellow seniors Connor Lentini (Bulls), Rocco Davino (Warriors) and Nate Owen (Nets), as well as junior Brayden D’Angelo (Knicks).

Davino, who averaged 20.9 points per game, was named MVP. Owen, who led the league with 23.8 PPG, took home Defensive Player of the Year. Lefkowitz made a big impact in his SYBA debut, averaging 15.5 PPG and earning Rookie of the Year. Sophomore Eli Lord became an irreplaceable asset and leader of the Pistons, averaging 11.4 PPG and winning Comeback Player of the Year.

Owen played all four years eligible in SYBA. His rise to DPOY came in part due to the Nets’ 2-3 zone defense and his role in the middle of it. Overall though, Owen saw his game improve immensely through his time on the Nets.

“I definitely feel like I got a lot better over the past four years,” Owen said. “I started off not really scoring too much. I found my rhythm, started making shots and started connecting. My team worked their hardest. This year was our best year by far.”

Lord just finished up his second year in the league. After not getting the ball much as a freshman, the sophomore facilitated the offense and was the top scoring option on his squad. Once he understood what SYBA was all about, Lord knew he would need to put in the work to truly compete.

“It has been a lot different,” Lord said. “First year I didn’t get a lot of playing time. Now I’ve got a lot more opportunities on the court. I took more shots. I knew that I’d be bringing the ball down the floor a lot. I put in some extra work outside of the games.”

As he continues forward, Lord is hoping to add more awards to his trophy case. He has his eyes set on DPOY in 2027. For anyone preparing to join him in SYBA, the reigning Comeback Player of the Year has offered some advice.

“Be aggressive. These guys are pretty big, a lot are seniors,” Lord said. “Trust your teammates. It’s a rec league, have fun.”

Owen will be able to give Lord some tips on what it takes to win DPOY. He recommends having your hands up, knowing when to jump and not overfouling. Over his four years, the senior has become a staple in SYBA. He knows stepping on the court with confidence is key. As is not taking any playing time for granted.

“Expect to want to play the whole time. If you don’t want to play you aren’t going to get in as much,” Owen said. “Expect to move the ball around. Work hard, enjoy your four years, it’ll go by fast.”

SYBA Continues Growing

SYBA had a total of 150 players over 12 teams during the 2025-2026 season. Coach Smith isn’t surprised. He credits the league’s leadership in president Mike DeFeo and co-directors Rosenberg and Andy Levin. Smith still isn’t sure if he’ll be back next season. But his opinion of the SYBA experience won’t change.

“It’s a great league. Andy, Al, Mike run a great league,” Smith said. “I’ve enjoyed it, they’ve treated me great. The players have a great time. It’s a great league to play in.”

Levin has firsthand experience as a player, coach and director in SYBA. That background helped shape his decision to remain involved in the league. As he watched the championship game, and the entire 2025-26 season unfold, he was reminded of what drew him to SYBA in the first place.

“I remember what it was like when it was my first year in the league,” Levin said. “I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. But every team was welcoming to every player. Teammates of mine who I barely knew became friends of mine that I still have to this day. The teamwork in all the team’s games was something that grew over the season. The championship game was a perfect example of how every player played a role in the team’s success.”

“Al, Mike and myself try to give the kids a league that will leave them with many great memories, like it did in my time as a player,” he continued. “Playing ball with friends is a part of many kid’s childhoods, but the energy SYBA brings on is like no other. Can’t beat it.”

Levin appreciates how SYBA welcomes players from all backgrounds, no matter their basketball experience. As does Rosenberg, who has dedicated 40 years to watching the league thrive. He was rewarded with an unforgettable championship game. It’s moments like those that have kept Rosenberg committed to helping SYBA reach the greatest heights possible.

“The kids, it’s all about the kids,” Rosenberg said. “It’s a great league, it’s the largest in the state. The excitement of a game like tonight, throughout the whole season. It’s a great program.”