The Suffolk Surge 8U team won the sectional championship last week and will travel to High Point, N.C., to play in the Zone Championships.

The sectional took place in Chesapeake and was made up of 12 teams. With exceptional play, the Surge went undefeated through five games in sectional play to take the championship.

The Surge won most of their games convincingly, but they did have a close game against Great Neck out of Virginia Beach, which the Surge won 11-10.

What has made the Suffolk Surge successful up to this point is the chemistry that they have on the team. This group has been together for the last two years, as they played in younger divisions.

Coach Tommy Ricks said his team knew what was at stake. He told his players they would go next to High Point if they succeeded in sectionals, and that motivated them to do their best. Ricks knew if the team did what it was capable of, it could make it to the zone championships. They had won tournaments leading up to sectionals.

For this association, it has been a while since they have won sectionals. It comes as a breath of fresh of air and satisfaction for everyone involved with the Surge. Family and friends show a lot of support at the tournaments, Ricks said, as well as the little things like getting kids to practice.

“I’m proud of them,” Ricks said. “They practiced hard and played well. They are a good group of boys and a talented group.”

To prepare for High Point, the Surge won’t change much of what they have already been doing. They will continue to practice two to three times a week. Defensively, the Surge is a sound team, and they also hit the ball very well. With each game they play, their confidence continues to grow.

“We just say, ‘Hey, stick with what got us here, and the sky is the limit for them,’” Ricks said. “I think we will be competitive down there as long as we stick to what we have been doing.”

The Suffolk Surge will go down to High Point and participate in the Zone Championships July 14-16.