The Championship Game for the Spring 2016 Play Hard or Go Home Basketball league featured Yellow (Boston United) and Navy (Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club). These are two non-West End House squads that play very different types of basketball. Navy is a run and gun team that likes to get out on the fast break and attack the rim. Yellow plays at a much slower pace, works the ball around and prefers to attempt outside shots. In this Championship battle, both teams played to their strengths.
To start #5 on Yellow, Ibrahim did an excellent job of getting to the rim, blowing past his defender and using his left hand to finish strong. He enabled his team to get out to an early lead, a lead they kept for most of the first half.
Although Navy’s first bucket was a three point shot from Daron, they were unable to sustainably connect from long range. Instead, they should have been driving to the rim and taking shots they have proved they can make.
At the end of the first period, Yellow led by a score of 31-25, as they were more confident slashing, and never wasted offensive possessions on outside shots.
In the second half, the entire dynamic of the game began to change. The calm demeanor that Yellow showcased initially was erased by erratic plays and missed layup opportunities. The shots they were making simply weren’t falling in the second half. This poor play, combined with Navy’s change of mentality, allowed the latter to go on a 12-0 run with 13 minutes left in the contest. Although Yellow called a timeout, Navy had already secured the lead, and were not willing to let it go.
Late in the second half, Yellow’s Ibrahim began to turn it on again, and scored 2 consecutive baskets, which gave his team some hope. But eventually, Navy’s relentless up-tempo pace led by Daron, Odi and Tubbs allowed the team to take the victory. They went on to win 59-48 and secured the Championship trophy.
Play Hard or Go Home 