The Grand Finals night is here, and the games that took place were the best 2 teams in each of the 3 Divisions, the ones that made it through the first 2 weeks of playoffs to end up at the big game, the one that can notch a team UBL glory and the beginning or continuance of a dynasty…Starting with Division 1!
Div 1 was ready for some big time action and next level hustle as the best got their game on and fought hard for everything.
Straight from the tip the Shaqtn crew got to work, the Bandicoots getting the jump but missing on some threes which were converted to a lead for Shaqtn as they got to the line and paced h the game so they could play lock down D. Shaqtn didnt shoot well from the line going 4 of 13 but making up for it by outrebounding Bandicoots by 4 and shooting 42% to Bandicoots 8%..Bandicoots dug a hole first quarter, theyd have to work hard to try and bridge the gap in the 2nd quarter, Elliot on 7 and Andy K on 5 for Shaqtn leading the way so far.
2nd quarter action picked up more for Bandicoots, but they still struggled with the tight defense from Shaqtn especially on the key Bandicoot scorers. Angus struggled from deep as did his team going 1of14 for the half, shooting 26% due to the extra close D from Shaqtns. Angus carried Bandicoots this half and this quarter got hungry to slash in, and went on a great run of 13 points on the way to his 15 for the half so far, Daniel B facing a wall of D but owning the glass with 10rebs already, whilst on Shaqtn Nick J stepped up this quarter with 7 points not missing anything yet to lead the team with 8, Elliot on 7 points, Andy K on 7 rebs, the team shooting just under 40% and keeping some active hands in passing lanes to keep the steals and turnovers coming in, the difference in points 11 thus far as Shaqtn hope hold the lead in the 2nd half.
3rd quarter commenced with the pace quickly mounting up as the desperate bandicoots started their last 24 minutes of the season and last chance to close the gap and catch the undefeated Shaqtn a Fools. Angus was big time again getting 7 of his teams 8 points, which Shaqtns stifling D kept them to whilst scoring 15 for themselves extending the lead to 47-28 almost 20 point hole that the bandicoots didnt seem to have the firepower to overcome. The shooting woes from 3point land still haunting the Bandicoots, and they were losing the battle on boards too with Shaqtn 10 up for the game so far, Elliot and C Oggo getting a 1-2 punch to land with Elliot with 9 for the quarter and C Oggo on 5 from slashing.. Bandicoots would need 2 Tmacs on their team to get this on back in control as the 4th quarter whistle sounded to commence the final 12…
Last period of action, the 4th, 12 mins to go with Bandicoots praying to th basketball gods for something to happen. But Brynn and Elliot werent allowing that to happen as they went on a mad run scoring 14 of their teams last 20, which was more than enough to overcome the efforts of the beaten-down Bandicoots who scored their biggest quarter with 20 points on the sheet but that needed to double to get it done, the shooting still not consistent by this point and hopes of a magical comeback faded. The final siren rang out and Shaqtn closed out the game almost 20 up, a great effort from both teams.
Special mentions to bandicoots players who performed well, Angus leading the team with 29 points 3 steals on 48% shooting….a monster driving in the paint this game, he coudlnt be stopped, but needed a little back up to help out, Darcy R had 10 points poking at the defense looking for ways to score, and from Shaqtn there were some big stat lines indicative of the high level experience as Elliot J a Superstar MVP performance with 25 points , 8 rebounds, and 4 steals on 42% shooting, whilst Brynn had a huge double double game with 12 points and 12 rebs to dominate the middle, C Oggo on 10 points 6 assists 3 steals on 44%FG
A great effort on the box score with Shaqtn taking the lead in blocks 7-3, assists 14-6 rebounds 47-36, most other categories were even as these two teams sorted out who would take the crown home, at it was to be Shaqtn by almost 20 on an undefeated season, a big recover last year from being undefeated then being ousted in the finals. Great game and Great hustle to all in the Grand Finals for Div1! who can beat this elite crew?
Div 2 was next up and the matchup was Thicc Boiis vs DOuble Dribble two teams that have shared the top spots for many weeks throughout the season, that effort getting them to the final face-off, and it would be a feisty one.
1st quarter the Thicc Bois went new school basketball and jacked a whole bunch of threes up, hoping some would pay of, but with 7% accuracy it wasnt working as well, but they got one and some tough inside buckets to notch the 1 point lead at the break, Double Dribble took it inside every time they got it, keeping the defense inside to stop the charge, DD were outrebounded 16-9 for the quarter and looked to recover from that decifict but only being down 1 early game, anything could happen!
2nd quarter saw the scoring pick up alot more with free throws providing alot of the points due to all the reach in hands on D, as players got hungry in quarter knowing its crucial to the game, Ryan M scoring 8 out of his teams 10 points this quarter as they led by 4 after this quarter, clearing using 2nd chance points from rebounds especially offensive boards winning 14-3 and 27 to 16 overall. Thicc Bois see the charity stripe more giving them more points all other categories too close to mention. Ryan M leading Thiic Bois with 10points and 10 rebounds, a double double at half time already! On the Double Dribble Crew Shane S had the lead statline directly answering Thicc Boiis top man with 9 points and 9 rebounds…3rd quarter needed some one to make a run, whoever would can gather and keep momentum, which is crucial in a playoff game of this magnitude!
2rd quarter opens up with a Thicc Bois running hard to get to the three point line and line up some shots, 2 landed for Jacob and 1 for Ryan huge shots in the quarter where they scored 12 and held the DOuble Dribble crew to only 3 points, locking then down from the inside and out, the paint still owned by Thicc Bois as the DD boys scrambled for everything but just couldnt get a run together…31-18 lead for TB, DOuble Dribble need some one to step up in the 4th or their title dreams are over…
4th quarter activated Shane S from Double Dribble,going on a 7 point frenzy in the quarter, but it was too late for heroics this time, Thicc Bois still holding momentum and pace control. The game getting controversial at a point where both teams were on high alert, due to a tech foul Thicc Boys were down to 4, but held off to win by 10 and claim their first championship in UBL Monday Div 3!
The Team box score told us one thing, Thicc Bois hammered the glass, and Double dribble had no answer for it, other stats pretty even otherwise but the 2nd chance points and securing misses, was the key factor in the win.
Big shoutout to the performers who showed up and balled until they had nothing left, Double Dribble has Shane S step up with a 20 point 19 rebound double double, a massive statline as he tried to carry the team, able to get a few more looks than the other guys, Matt G had 5 points 3 steals 2 assists to throw his contribution in, but it was outshone by the winners performers, Ryan M 13 points 18 rebound double double 3 assists and 3 steals in an all round game helped out by Peter F on 8 points and 10 boards, another double double along with Corey R who got 6pts 16 rebounds!!
Great season to all in the Div, Double dribble unlucky this time Thicc Boiis crowned champs and wait for the challengers next season to defend their title!
Div 3 was due to be a good one, with two teams pitted against each other that have faced off many times, this game was more important and they all needed to be on their game.
The game tipped off with what seemed like nerves from both sides..especially the Dunkings who .did not have a good first quarter at all, hitting NO shots but getting their 3 points on free throws as the refs were calling everything. Canaries looked better with 15 points up there and everyone getting involved even though the FG% was below what they would deem as ideal. Mark and trent getting 5 points each leading the way as the 2nd quarter came around…Dunkings would have alot of work to do to start chipping at the lead…
2nd Quarter action had a little change of pace and a little switch on momentum..The Dunkings going on a 15-10 run when Ivan hit 1 then Sam hit 2 in a row from deep to bring it within 5 at the 7 minute mark. Canaries were able to keep up the offensive production and kept getting more luck inside with the give and go so they went to it a few times paying off with some close shots. The end of the half Trent had 7 for Canaries, Mark on 6 pts an Ken n BJ on 5, shooting 37% as a team compared to the Dunkings’ 16% all other categories pretty much even, Canaries with 6 assists to 2, showing the offensive style of passing compared to the 1v1 shots from Dunkings, who still have alot of work to do but within 7 now.
3rd quarter saw the Dunkings keep at their steady approach and strong attack on the paint with some extra passes as well as big 3 by Michael B to cap off a 14-7 run making the game a reset situation, slate wiped clean, the 2nd half would be huge for whoever got out in front from the get go. Dunkings still struggling from deep generally but had big shots this quarter, some crucial turnovers from Canaries costing them their small lead.
This quarter was hectic, and the two teams treated this quarter like it was the last game of thier lives, bodies flying everywhere rolling on the floor to try and secure the valuable loose ball, hustling at every chance to get an advantage. Ivan got going with 7 in the quarter as Jacob and Sam scored 4 & 5 at very crucial parts of the game. Dunkings led for most quarter by a bucket or so and looked good in the final moments, but a late surge from BJ Taco with 8 quick points to finish the game scared the Dunkings crew till Sam B hit the game icing layup. A time out was called, and Canaries tried to get a play going and get a clean look at 3, but it wasnt clean, and it hit the rim but not in. Dunkings clinch the Div 3 title after an epic match going right down to the wire, coming back from being down 15-3 after the first quarter to come back and win in style.
Big Shout out to the performers in this game who came to play! Canaries saw BJ Taco go off with 16 points 2 steals on 43% shooting, ballin out and almost upsetting the Dunkings with the late run. Mark T on 12pts 8rebs 4 assists and 3 steals, a monster statline in the biggest game for them this season, Trent got 11pts 7rebs and 3 steals which altogether was outdone slightly by the Dunkings crew who had Ivan step up after a slow start with 18points and 9 rebounds, and 2 steals, helped out by Sam B on 17 points 9 rebounds hitting very needed buckets to stop runs, and that did the trick!
Stats for the teams didnt differ much, on paper Canaries looked like the better team but it was the big moments that Dunkings was able to capitalize on and they got the Div 3 Championsip!
Congrats to all the winners and all who took part of Season 6! See you all and more new teams when we return soon!
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