BOUNCING BACK: Sean Kelly of AEI, right, dribbles the ball in recent action in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League. Last Wednesday, Kelly tallied a game-high 13 points to help AEI defeat previously undefeated YSU 49-41 and improve to 2-1. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Sean Kelly and his teammates on the AEI squad are bringing some extra motivation to the court as they compete this season in the Princeton Recreation Department Men’s Summer Basketball League.

Last summer, Kelly helped AEI advance to the league’s best-of-three championship series where they dropped a heartbreaker to Majeski Foundation in the decisive third game, falling in overtime.

“We have unfinished business, that one hurt,” said Kelly. “It really came down to a botched hand-off. I will never forget that.”

Last Wednesday, as AEI faced YSU, which entered the evening as the only undefeated team in the league this summer, Kelly saw keeping things simple as the best way to take care of business.

“We wanted to stop them in transition and limit our turnovers,” said Kelly.

Although dragging a little bit, AEI hit YSU with an opening salvo, jumping out to a 12-2 lead.

“We all came in tired, we all said to that to each other,” said Kelly. “It was a long day for us.”

Kelly had six points in the first half as AEI took a 31-22 lead into intermission.

“I was trying not to do too much, just fit into a role and play as hard as I can,” said Kelly.

In the second half, AEI kept playing hard collectively as it held off a YSU squad determined to remain undefeated, prevailing 49-41 and improving to 2-1.

“It is chemistry and conditioning,” said Kelly, reflecting on the keys to victory. “That is why TCNJ (the Majeski Foundation team) beat us in the first game (59-52 on June 19). We shared the ball tonight.”

Making several hard drives to the hoop, Kelly ended up with a game-high 13 points.

“I am working on being a leader and just trying to be physical out there and finish,” said Kelly, who starred at Notre Dame High before going on to play at Mercer County Community College.

Kelly and his AEI teammates are hoping to produce a big finish this summer.

“We have all of our guys returning for the most part — we just got a new addition or two so that is really going to help,” said Kelly. “We have experience playing together.”