After a long regular season… Week 8 seen many teams start a brand new season, known as the PLAYOFFS.
Win or Go Home is the name of the game now!
In the Division 1 Playoffs, 6 teams stamped a ticket to the postseason.
In the Division 2 Playoffs, 12 teams stamped a ticket to the postseason, 8 teams squared off in the quarterfinals while the first, second, third, and fourth place team received a 1st round bye.
By: Nathan Apolonio
Head Writer
DIVISION 1
(3) STAT vs. (6) Speed Kills
THE RUNDOWN:
STAT set the tone early as they out-worked Speed Kills on the boards, 27-16 . Danny Longmire blocked a game-high 4 shots and he finished with a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The presence of Danny Longmire & J’Quandrei Ellis set this team over the top with their amazing guard play. The big men ran the floor, collected numerous offensive/ defensive rebounds and made sure their team would not fall to the lower seeded team. The play of guards was also key to the big victory, they moved the ball around and got the big men involved early in the game.
Speed Kills could not find a consistent offensive flow all game. The presence of STATs big men proved to be detrimental to Speed Kills post game.
On top of their lack of post play, their beloved 3 point shot was failing to connect. The thing that really killed this team was rebounding, this team played with heart but their first playoff run fell just short.
Anthony Cockrell led the way for STAT as he led all STAT players with 11 points and 3 rebounds, Danny Longmire was the second leading scorer with 10 points and 14 rebounds recording his 2nd double double of the season. Robel Kevorkian rounded out the scoring trio with 9 points and 11 rebounds.
Speed Kills was led by led by GM Tony El-Sar as he recorded 14 points and was the only player in double figures on his team.
STAT: 62
Speed Kills:44
===============================================================================================================
(4) Knicee vs. (5) Fly Society
DIVISION 1
Fly Society entered the game with a blowout loss in their last outing to Dynasty in the final game of the regular season. Other than that they had played the best basketball of their season. With a 4-3 record they proved they could contend with the best in the division, their 3 losses came to playoff teams Knicee, Do Work & Dynasty. So it was interesting to see their first round match-up with Knicee a team that had defeated them earlier in the season.
From the opening tip, it was clear that Fly Society was there to WIN and WIN BIG. With GM Desean Collins failure to get any of his previous teams a win over Knicee formerly known as Like Water. The game meant so much more to this young run-n-gun squad.
From the middle of the season, I could tell that Knicee would not make it deep in the postseason if they could not fix their personnel issues.
They played the last few games of the season with a 4 man roster and for their playoff game they had a 7 man roster. Chemistry was a big problem all game, some of the guys had not played with each other in a few weeks and were a bit rusty. Defensive assignments were missed and the team that was adequately prepared (Fly Society) took home the W and advanced to the second round.
Fly Society was led by Jaime Villalobos 14 points 5 rebounds, Jairo Lopez 11 points 3 rebounds and Robert Aguilar 10 points 2 rebounds.
Knicee was led by Trayvonn Booker who had a game high with 21 points and 6 rebounds, Marcus Angeles chipped in with 12 points and 4 assists.
Fly Society will take on the defending champs Do Work in the Semi Finals this Sunday.
(9)H.A.M vs. (1) Cali Raisins
THE RUNDOWN:
The 9th ranked H.A.M managed to achieve a playoff berth this season, in their first season of IBL play. After their 1-2 start to the season H.A.M got it together and went 3-1 to finish their season with a 4-3 record and a 9th place finish in the division.
H.A.M took on Lights Out in the first round of the playoffs earlier in the day and came out with a 65-62 victory over the opposition.
With the victory H.A.M advanced to the second round of the division playoffs to play the #1 seeded California Raisins who had fresh legs from their first round bye.
H.A.M held a slight advantage early in the game but the Raisins showed why they were the #1 overall seed with their sharpshooting and excellent guard play. H.A.M held the lead for the majority of the game, but the Raisins made a storming comeback to keep their championship hopes alive and came out with a 46-44 win.
The Raisins will take on the Southstars in the Semifinals next weekend.
HAM Guard Eddie scored 13 points while Kenny finished with 12 points.
Raisins Guard Jordan Ramos scored 15 points while Kevin Chow finished with 2 boards, 10 points and 1 Block.
Cali Raisins: 46
H.A.M:44
=============================================================================================================== (4) Southstars vs. (12) Quiksilver
DIVISION 2
With the Regulators failing to take advantage of Quiksilvers 4-man roster, John Dang exploded for 24 points and stole an inbound pass with 6 secs. left in regulation, raced down the court to make the game winning lay-up as Quiksilver won their opening round playoff game to advance to a quarterfinal matchup with the Southstars in the final game of the night.
This playoff game turned into a 4-on-5 match-up as Quiksilver ended the game with just 4 players. Playing with their “hustle group”, Quiksilver made like the 1994 Houston Rockets and played with the heart of a Champion. The result was a 55-53 win over the Regulators.
However Quiksilver would not have the same result in their quarterfinal game as they were dominated and overwhelmed from the opening tip to a young Southstars team.
The Southstars had 3 players in double figures; Anthony F. led all players with 23 points 6 rebounds, Trayvonn Booker recorded a double double with 15 points 10 rebounds.
John Dang 13 points and Brandon Kinard 12 points led the way for Quiksilver as they fall short once again to reach the semi-finals of the playoffs.
=============================================================================================================== (2) Double Dribble vs. (7) Wonton Soup
DIVISION 2
THE RUNDOWN:
Double Dribble had great expectations after their DOMINATING Week six victory over their opponent, defending champs Wonton Soup.
Although they were very short-handed, Double Dribble entered the game dripping with confidence and swagger, but were overwhelmed by a Wonton Soup who came off a blow out first round victory over the Smash Bros. earlier in the day and they also had a full roster.
The reigning MVP of the Division Jesse Jimenez had several obstacles to overcome, two of his wing players and 3 point threats weren’t in attendance (Geo V. & Jerry Jimenez) and he could not carry his team as he had done so many times before. Diahnte Pickett scored a team-high 19 points . Chuy Contreras scored 13 points while Jesse Jimenez finished as the third leading scorer with 7 points.
Wonton Soup missed just 8 shots from the free throw line as the team combined for 11-of-19 from the stripe. Jaime Villalobos led the team with 3 assists and 1 steal and scored 17 points.
Wonton Soup:59
Double Dribble:49 =============================================================================================================== (3) Beyond The Arch vs. (6) Bulls
DIVISION 2
THE RUNDOWN:
The Bulls suffocated Beyond the Arch with their defense. The box score won’t show how great the Bulls played defensively as Beyond the Arch compiled 4 steals and the Bulls logged just 1 steal. The rebounding battle was even at 19 apiece but once again, the box score won’t show how much Bulls dominated this match-up, defensively.
Calvin knocked down a team-high 18 points and led the way. Antwon Blocker finished with 14 points while Billie scored a 14 points.
Beyond The Arch struggled with their 3-point shooting and turnovers late in the second half. . G Justin Benson scored 14 points Jamel Benson led the way with 18 points and 8 rebounds for Beyond The Arch.
Bulls :64
Beyond the Arch:44
IBL Full Court Press 