Finals
Team Texas 57, BABC 55
WHAT A FINISH!! Ross DeRogatis came off the bench to BURY a three with 3 seconds left giving Team Texas a 57-55 victory over BABC in an emotionally wrenching Championship game.
BABC took control of the game in the first half leading by as many as 12 points midway through. At the half the lead was 9 at 33-24. Although it didn't count, this dunk after the buzzer sent BABC into the locker room with the lead, momentum, and a lot of confidence.
In the second half Team Texas got back into the game by stepping up their defensive intensity. The improved defense held BABC to only 22 points in the second half. Texas applied pressure with their guards up top and hit the defensive boards with marked improvement. The hustle of Texas got them back within striking distance. With five and a half minutes left in the game, Texas had cut the lead to 46-42. Point Guard Bryan Hopkins pushed the ball up the floor and found Tanner Ogden on the right wing. Ogden nailed a three cutting the lead to 1. On the next trip, Hopkins found Josh Washington on the opposite wing. Washington knocked the bottom out of another 3 (his third of the game), giving Team Texas their first lead at 48-46 with 5 minutes left.
From there the war was on. Neither team gave an inch as they exchanged buckets and hard fouls for the waning minutes. With 33 seconds left Tournament MVP Bracey Wright went to the line for Texas and calmly knocked down 2 free throws pushing the score to 54-52 Texas. BABC point guard Marshall Strickland pushed the ball down the floor beginning a wild 20 second sequence. Strickland pushed the ball hard down the right side and threw up an 8 footer that was off the mark. Big Keith Butler came crashing from the other side and dunked the rebound in hard over top of the Texas defense tying the score at 54. Before BABC knew what hit them, Texas was off and running. Washington took the ball hard to the rack but was denied by a great block from Torin Francis. Strickland recovered the ball and had his eyes set on the rim. Strickland dribbled the length of the floor and was fouled in the act by Texas Center Aljoy Kane with 11 seconds left. Strickland made 1 of 2 giving BABC the lead back at 55-54. The foul was Kane's 5th forcing him to the bench.
Texas Coach Rick Williams at first was going to insert back-up guard Ross DeRogatis. Texas inbounded the ball and Hopkins pushed it up the middle of the floor. Hopkins looked off the defense and fired the ball to an open DeRogatis in the corner. With time running down DeRogatis unleashed his first shot of the game with everything on the line. NOTHING BUT NET. Clutch ladies and gentleman. Clutch. The three sent the Team Texas faithful into a frenzy. After a BABC time-out, they were able to attempt a last shot. Guard Lou Ford's 35 foot attempt bounded off the rim and Team Texas could celebrate their hard fought Peach Jam Championship.
Tournament MVP Bracey Wright led 7-1 Team Texas with 17 points. Bryan Hopkins and Josh Washington netted 13 a piece. Also key to the Texas cause was Aljoy Kane who played valiently in the middle grabbing 7 rebounds. BABC was led by Torin Francis. Francis scored 16 points and yanked down 13 boards. Marshall Strickland scored 15 and shooting guard Steve Hailey added 13 to help the BABC effort.
Semi-Finals
Team Texas 79, Illinois Warriors 76
In the first semi-final of the night the terrific trio of Bryan Hopkins, Bracey Wright and Josh Washington led Team Texas to a 79-76 win over the Illinois Warriors in an action packed battle. Hopkins scored 20 points and dished out 9 assists. Wright scored 20 points and Washington added 19.
Team Texas jumped out to a quick start and were up 22-6 before the Illinois Warriors could blink. The Warriors fought back behind the help of 2 Charles Richardson three's and 2 Charles Bass 3 point plays. The Warriors cut into the lead and had closed to within 42-38 at the break.
The game went back and forth throughout. Texas never relinquished the lead, they seemed to have an answer for every Illinois push. Colin Falls was outstanding for the Warriors. Falls knocked down 6 three's on his way to a team high 20 points. Andre Iguodala also played a solid game scoring 16 points.
Team Texas used their quickness outside while Aljoy Kane held down the fort down low with 6 points and 8 rebounds. With 40 seconds left the Warriors had cut the lead to 77-73. Texas took the ball out of bounds and quickly broke the Warrior press getting the ball ahead to Wright. Wright took it the length of the floor and emphatically slammed it home sealing the deal and pushing Texas into the finals of the NIKE Peach Jam.
BABC 65, Athletes First 64
In the nightcap of the evening BABC held on to defeat Athletes First 65-64 in a hard fought battle. BABC was led by Torin Francis' 19 points and 10 rebounds and Marshall Strickland's 16 points. Athletes First was led by Shelden Williams and his 20 points and 11 boards.
In the first half Athletes First controlled the tempo and led 36-28 at the break. Athletes First used their inside strength to get shot after shot at the basket. Ahtletes First ended up with a 37-25 rebounding edge including an amazing 19 offensive boards.
The second half was a different story. BABC used their speed and put full court pressure on Athletes First. The pressure translated into 13 steals and numerous fast break points. BABC not only overcame the 8 point deficit but took their own 7 point lead with 5 minutes left on the clock.
Athletes First was able to break free and get Shelden Williams a couple open looks. Williams knocked down the first and the second rolled off the rim where it was laid in by Kevin Bookout (9 points).
With 2:00 left Athletes First had worked the game back to a tie at 59. Keith Butler's follow put BABC back up 61-59. On Athletes First next posession Marcus Hayden was able to manuever his way inside for a 3 point play that gave Athletes First their first lead since early in the half at 62-61. Marshall Strickland knocked down a jumper on the other end giving BABC back the lead at 63-62. With 20 seconds left Strickland stole the ball and was sent to the line. Strickland converted both free throws making the score 65-62 with 15 ticks left. Athletes First got 2 looks from three in the last 8 seconds but neither one found the mark. Williams layed one of them in at the buzzer producing the final score. BABC will advance on to face Team Texas tomorrow in the Championship Game.
Quarter-Finals
Illinois Warriors 82, Charlotte Royals 63
The Illinois Warriors jumped out to an early 25 point lead and never looked back. The Warriors were led by Andre Iguodala and his 16 points and 7 assists. Dee Brown also had a real nice game for the Warriors with 14 points and 7 assists. The Warriors finished second in last year's Peach Jam but are looking for a little more this year.
Rashad McCants played admirably in defeat for the Charlotte Royals. McCants scored 21 points on 8-11 shooting, including 5 of 7 from downtown. The Warriors will face Team Texas in the semi-finals.
Athletes First 61, The Family 53
In a low scoring battle the inside muscle of Athletes First proved too much for the Family. Shelden Williams led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds. DeAngelo Alexander scored 14 points and Kevin Bookout added 14 points and 9 rebounds to help Athletes First cause.
Lester Abram had a great tournament for The Family and scored 18 points in defeat. Athletes First will advance to play BABC in the semi-finals.
Team Texas 68, Howard Pulley 62
Josh Washington came out hot knocking down 3 three pointers in the first 6 minutes giving Team Texas the early advantage. Washington would end up scoring 19 points including 5 of 7 from deep. The team's scoring leader Bracey Wright didn't have his best game scoring just 8 points but point guard Bryan Hopkins picked up the slack going 9-13 from the field totaling 25 points.
Team Texas' athleticism and ability to knock down the open shot has been causing opponents problems all tournament long. Texas will look to build on their 5-1 record when they face the Illinois Warriors in the semi-finals.
BABC 54, Wisconsin Playground Warriors 49
The defending champion
Wisconsin Playground Warriors didn't have their normal shooting touch working and BABC took advantage of it.
Marshall Strickland had a great game pumping in 23 points for BABC who have looked awful sharp in recent games. Will Blaylock and Torin Francis chipped in 11 and 10 points respectively to help the BABC effort.
Point Guard Steve Hailey distributed the ball well and added 6 points.
Wisconsin played hard and the game wasn't decided until the final minute. But ultimately their 33 percent shooting from the field did them in. BABC will face Athletes First in what should be an up tempo crowd pleasing semi-final match-up.
