#1 Morningwood, was the only team in Division 1 to go (6-1) however their run to 3rd straight championship seemed in doubt all season as Division 1 teams had restocked their roster and new teams had entered the league. The Division 1 semifinal matchup had the 2 time defending champions Morningwood played host to the #5 seed Primetime (4-3).
Both teams entered the playoffs with different endings to their respective seasons. After a successful 4-0 start to their season, Morningwood tasted defeat for the first time in 21 games, as the Brown Mambaz out worked the champs in Week 5. The following week Morningwood got back to their winning ways defeating Primetime by 27 (90-63). The loss for Primetime would be the start of a 2 game losing streak to end their season.
Although both teams entered the playoffs on different paths, both teams held true to form and recorded closed victories in the quarterfinal round, Morningwood edged out X-Squad for a close 59-54 win; while Primetime managed to overcome a 16 point first half deficit and defeat Foreal in overtime (70-66).
The playoff match up between the two teams was set to be a thriller as both teams had their full roster, In their Week 6 match-up Primetime lacked the services of their big man Mark Davison. With the presence of Davison all the pieces were in place for an upset of the champs.
From the opening tip Primetime seemed to control the tempo of the game matching Morningwood basket for basket. Morningwood managed to keep the game close in the first half but after halftime Primetime pushed their lead to 10 with fastbreak baskets. Morningwood managed to cut the deficit to as little as 4 in the fourth quarter by increasing their defensive pressure and forcing turnovers, but gave up too many offensive rebounds to Primetimes big men in the last minutes of the 4th, Primetime owned the game offensively and the boards, at the end of the day they just out worked and out hustled Morningwood. Primetime out-rebounded Morningwood 38-24.
Rich Cobarubias and Dewayne O’Neal picked up the scoring load for Morningwood with 19 points apiece, Derrick Pickett finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds), the trio did as much as they could but the team could not make up ground.
Troy led all Primetime scorers with 28 points and 11 rebounds, Mark Davison chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds, Rashad Martin completed the scoring trio with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Primetime now moves on to the Championship game where they will face Do Work.
With the loss Morningwood ends its run for a 3rd straight championship .
IBL Full Court Press 