With the division 1 playoffs well under way, we can take a look back at the first round. The #7 seeded Rebels kicked off with the playoffs with an expected 73-69 victory over the #2 seed We Got Game. The two teams met in Week 7 with We Got Game coming away with the win, the Rebels were without the services of the Divisions leading shot blocker Daryl Jones (11.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.2 bpg) that game. That wouldn’t be the case in this playoff game, Jones made his presence felt early in the game with a thunderous slam in the 1st quarter. He continued to alter shots throughout the game and was one of the main reasons that his Rebel team came away with the win.
Soon after the reigning Champs and #1 seed Washed Up began their title defense with a 100-65 blowout win over Gary McNellys (21 Pts, 7 Rebs, 2 Asts.) and his #8 seeded P.A.H.U. team. After McNellys hit his first shot Washed Up ceased control of the game behind the strong play of Stephan Gilling (28 Pts, 4 Rbs, 3 Asts) , Johnny Earl (36 Pts, 2 Rebs., 3 Asts, and 5 Stls.) and Justin Lamar (12 Pts, 5 Rebs, 2 Asts, 2 Stls) and never looked back.
In the third game of the evening, we witnessed the #4 seed Mile High escape with a narrow 64-63 win over the 5th seeded Knicee team. Mile High took control of the game early but allowed Knicee to hang around. Well timed 3 Pointers by Tom Krzeminski (15 Pts, 3 Rebs 5/8 3pt FGM) and a couple missed free throws/opportunities by Knicee late in the 4th quarter helped Mile High come away with the win.
In the final Division 1 Game of the evening, the #3 seed The Dynasty and the #6 seed Dino’s Finest squared off for a Semi Finals berth. The game was close in the first half however Dino’s Finest stepped on the gas in the 3rd quarter behind the strong play of… And built a sizable lead heading into the fourth quarter and never looked back. The Dynasty was without one of their key players Buai Tut as he was out due to personal reasons. After making it all the way to the finals in their first season, teams expected The Dynasty to get back to the championship game this season again. However that will not be the case.
The shocker of the evening was the #6 and #7 seeds eliminating the #2 and #3 seeds. In previous seasons those would be deemed as upsets but this season has been different, despite the team’s record, the 1-7 seeds are evenly matched and the seedings did not do these teams justice.
Now as we look forward to the semifinals We will see Max Barkeley (17.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and the #4 seed Mile High try to play spoiler as they take on the #1 seed Washed Up. Who will be without the services of their big man Justin Lamar who is out until Season 8.
On the bottom half of the brackets the #6 seed Dino’s Finest will attempt to play spoiler to the #7 seed the Rebels; as shocking as that sounds, the Rebels were selected by the Commissioner to take it all before the post season began. So with that said, Dino’s Finest will look to break the commissioners brackets. The two teams met earlier in the season with Dino’s Finest coming away with the win. So both teams are familiar with each other.
The Dynasty, We Got Game, Knicee and P.A.H.U will most likely return to action in Season 8 when it kicks off April 15th.
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