Team Dennis

April 19-21, 2013

Team Dennis started pool play by playing a solid PA Rush team from Pennsylvania. They jumped on us with an 11-0 run and led by 7 at halftime. WGGBA did all they could to find a grove to get back in the game. Several three-pointers made and some good offensive rebounding put us up by 5 with a minute to go. PA goes on a 7-0 run putting us in a tough spot to tie the game. Our last play didn’t work, and we ended up losing by two.

Playing the second pool game, the game didn’t tip off until 11:15 pm--a late night for all. WGGBA started out with a 28-0 run to start the game, being made from the previous loss. And the onslaught continued with a 72-26 win. Jack Cook caught fire from the 3 point line and Jacob Wiseman was driving to the basket on a mission.

Playing Sunday morning for a spot in the orange tournament bracket, they played the Liberty Ballers from PA. The game was going back and forth, until the start of the second half where WGGBA got 5 steals and rebounds to open up their running game. Several three-pointers from Ramon Wilson and David Dennis Jr. increased their lead.

Onto tournament play in the semi-finals. WGGBA played a local team called the PA chargers. We continued with team ball coming out with an impressive 20-2 run. Our press defense was suffocating the chargers into bad shots or turnovers. Then David Jr. got out, making 3 after 3 after 3. Then it was contagious with everyone hitting three’s.

Now onto the finals, where WGGBA and Ramon Wilson were looking for revenge for that earlier loss. And man, Ramon came out on fire, knocking down 3 three threes in the first 5 minutes, and some impressive drives to the baskets. David Jr. was driving to the basket making some crazy lay-ups driving in there with the big boys. Dana Coffman made a couple of three’s as well. Malik Bocook, Drew Mellen, and Rael Windley were dominating the glass with putbacks and some great post moves. WGGBA up 7 at the half. Then PA started getting their mojo back and went on a run to take the lead. Then it was ON from there. Back and forth, back and forth. PA had a chance to win the game in regulation, but a defensive stop from WGGBA forced overtime.

PA took the lead to start overtime and they traded baskets. Down 2 points with 9.6 seconds to go and PA at the free-throw line to seal their victory, they miss the front end of a 1 and 1. WGGBA gets the rebound and calls timeout to set up a play to tie it up. With 3.6 seconds left, they take the ball out on the sideline and throws the ball to Ramon. The play was to have him drive to tie or kick to David Jr. in the corner for the win. The pass got deflected and Ramon had to grab the ball, he took two dribbles, and with time running out, he had to pull up from 30 feet with two players on him. The shot was in the air for 15 seconds (well that’s what it seemed like) and it went it. Game over and everyone rushed the court. WGGBA wins by 1 and takes down local favorite PA Rush. It was a great team effort by all!

Team Austin

Team Austin battled from start to finish at the Pittsburgh Hoopfest this weekend to take home the Black Division Championship! Team Austin started off the weekend with an overtime victory over NC Courage. Matt Weir came through with a clutch 3 point shot at the end of regulation to tie the ball game and some clutch free throws to seal the victory for team Austin in overtime.

Team Austin went on to seal up to two more great all-around team victories on Saturday against Team Dynasty out of Maryland and TNBA out of Cleveland to improve to 3-0 and take the top seed in pool play.

Team Austin came back Sunday and squeaked out a narrow victory in regulation over a solid PA Vipers team in the semi-final game. Down 1 with 6 seconds left in the game Jordan Clark went coast to coast and finished with a layup plus a foul with .6 seconds left to move onto the championship game.

Team Austin went into the championship game and played another thriller. A seesaw battle with the New Jersey Heat ended up tied after regulation after a valiant defensive stop on the last possession by Team Austin. Down 3 with 18 seconds left in the overtime team, Austin got a bucket to close the game within 1. On the ensuing inbounds pass Austin Blatt came up with a huge steal after a scrum for the ball on the baseline and missed a bank shot, only to be tipped in at the buzzer by the high flying Evan Duncan who came soaring through the lane!

Overall on the weekend Team Austin went 5-0 and took home the Black Division Championship.
This championship is a reflection of a total TEAM effort by all members of team Austin.