The Select Competition Basketball League wrapped up on Sunday at the Swain School with its first-ever championship games.
Remember, the SCBL is divided into two divisions -- the NCAA Division which is primarily for kids in grades 7-9, and the NBA Division for kids in grades 10-12.
The league grew tremendously this fall, offering an opportunity for kids who were not playing another fall sport the chance to devote themselves to basketball and play good competition to get ready for the upcoming high school season.
As we've said before, the coming high school season figures to be one of the most exciting we've had around here in years. And the SCBL season served notice that the quality of play and the number of area quality players continues to grow. It should be a great winter and the SCBL helped to get these guys ready.
Here are the final reports from Ed Jennings, who founded the league and has now kept it going strong for four years:
NCAA Division Championship Game
For most people, Sunday was the first day of daylight savings time or fall back time. For local serious basketball players in the Select Competition Basketball League (SCBL) it was “turn up time.”
Sunday marked the first SCBL championship games. Ed Jennings, SCBL founder/director, former NCC assistant men’s basketball coach, and Pius X and Central Catholic boys assistant coach designed this year’s fourth season in a championship format. The two teams that survived the single elimination playoff in the NCAA division tipped off in front of a packed house.
The FSU team coached by Marlon Thomas took on the Michigan team coached by John Venus. Both teams played inspired, confident basketball. Both teams, like all SCBL teams, are very good in transition and that was evident in the first half. The first half brought with it a back and forth with FSU taking a slight half time lead of 28-24. Julian Thomas (St Thomas More ’20) and Jake Bartholomew (Orefield MS ’18) as well as solid floor general Sam Yadush (Northwestern ’19). Michigan got great play from Kevin Patel (Solehi ’17), Dylan Baird (Northampton ’17), and Nick Martellucci (LMMS ’18).
In the second half, FSU employed full court pressure that seemed to bother Michigan as the Seminoles got some easy buckets. The well-coached, evenly matched, Wolverines and FSU teams went back and forth the entire second half. Several players were at their best as the crowd marveled at the level of play among many of these 7th thru 9th grade players.
In the end, Jake Bartholomew took control of the game on both ends. He got a lot of help, however, from Will Melson (Sacred Heart ’18).Melson’s free throws down the stretch sealed the FSU squad winning the first SCBL NCAA division title 62-56 over the tough Michigan team.
Congrats to both and all the best during the winter.
Awards:
Robert Edwards Most Promising Prospect
Jack Reichenbach (St Thomas More ’17)
Championship “Player of the Game”
Jake Bartholomew (Orefield MS ’18) - 12pts, 7 rebs
NBA Division Championship Game
All week there was twitter buzz about the second game, simply labeled “the rematch.” The trash talking was finally about to come to an end.
The rematch started like the first meeting with the Sixers (aka the Ninjas) jumping out to a quick 6-0 start. But David Stevens (CCHS ’14) showed that you can’t just play him for the drive, and quickly hit two threes from the corner. The Sixers got excellent ball movement and were making the extra pass which led to Ben Pratt (CCHS ’15) and Barnett hitting back-to-back treys.
OKC realized that Brendan Wagner (CCHS ’14) would again be a force as he looked unstoppable early on. However, the experienced backcourt play of Zay Jennings (CCHS ’16) and Jimmy Vaughan (CCHS ’14)pushed the ball in transition. Jennings hit a 3 then got fouled on a drive and converted the three point play. Vaughan hit a runner and scored off an offensive rebound as well as assisted on another bucket for OKC. The Sixers held a 6-point half time lead 32-26 and it was looking like the rematch would be too much to handle for OKC.
In the second half, the Sixers again started strong and came out with a full court press and caused a couple of missed cues by OKC for a few quick baskets. The Sixers lead grew to double digits early in the second half forcing Coach Braswell to use a time out. After that Jennings got it going by scoring off a runner over Wagner and a step back in the half court. He later hit Sam Iorio (PHS ’17) in transition for a corner three.
The Sixers now looked a little tight and the SCBL rugged play continued with” bigs” Nick Selvaggi (PHS ’14) and Wagner both showing their competitive spirits. Whoever thinks that fall doesn’t count has never been to a SCBL game. OKC also got great offensive production from Luke Guensch (CCHS ’15), Austin Uhl (Salisbury ’14). The run was complete and it was tie game just like that.
A few mishandles by the usually steady Sixers guards resulted in turnovers. OKC went up 3 and spread the floor in the last couple minutes, eating the clock and keeping the ball in their stellar backcourt hands. Coach Dallas Comegys, a former NBA player, got a quick two and was forced to foul. Zay Jennings usually automatic at the line missed the front end of a 1-in-1. But the Sixers gave the ball right back with a spacing issue turnover. Forced to foul again, this time Jennings converted the 1-in-1. Now Coach Braswell and his OKC troops could start to celebrate having captured the first SCBL NBA Division Championship with a 56-55 victory.
CONGRATS!
Zay Jennings was selected as “Player of the Game.” He lead all scorers with 16.
The Robert Edwards Jr. Most Promising Prospect Award -- Daiyon Barnett (Allen ’14).
The NBA division coaching staff selected Jimmy Vaughan (CCHS ’14) to receive the 2013 “Coaches Award.”
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