Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Fall basketball league continuing to boost excitement for what's to come this winter

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER


The SCBL Fall League is winding down. The final Sunday of action is coming up on Nov. 3 with the championship games at the Swain School.
SCBL founder and director Ed Jennings has said several times that this has been his best year yet with the caliber of play at a high level.
It bodes well for what's to come this winter.
As you look at Ed's latest report below, you'll again notice a lot of  names of kids who are going to be popping up all winter long. The upcoming 2013-14 high school season has a chance to be a great one with Central Catholic, Parkland, Liberty, Bethlehem Catholic and others all featuring some very talented players.
Remember, the SCBL is divided into two divisions --  the NCAA Division which is primarily for kids in grades 7-9 and the NBA Division which is mostly for kids in grades 10-12.
And now here's Ed's report on Sunday's games:
NCAA DIVISION
Arizona 75 Syracuse 47 (N.I.T Consolation Game)
Ethan Parvel 18pts (Whitehall MS)
FSU 44 FGC 39
Sam Vaughan 20pts (St Thomas More)
Michigan 56 Duke 51
Nick Martellucci 16pts (LMMS)
Player of the Week:
Sam Vaughan (St. Thomas More)
Recap: The stage is set after a shocking upset by Michigan over talent-laden Duke which was coached by Faith Christian great, UNC Greensboro and East Stroudsburg product Danny Hargrove. Coach Hargrove was a little disappointed with the absence of two time POTW Justin Paz. However Michigan played inspired team ball and excuted brilliantly. Michigan if it plays that way on Championship Sunday (Nov. 3rd) could be crowned the CHAMPS! To be continued.
              In the game that would decide the other qualifier for the championship, FSU held off a tough      FL Gulf Coast. This game was played and coached at a tremendously high level. I predict a highly contested championship game ahead on Nov. 3rd. FSU played smart, excuted well and got a good all around game from Jake Bartholomew. While flamboyant PG Bless Jones  was in attack mode all day for FGC. the teammissed some crucial shots at crucial times.
              FSU used some clutch FT shooting to hold off a gritty FGC squad for  Coach Luska.
NBA DIVISION
Knicks 36 Pacers 29
Justin Zajko 15pts (Parkland)
Josh Jackson 15pts (Freedom)
OKC 63 Lakers 43
Sam Iorio 12pts (Parkland)
Nick Selvaggi 12pts (Parkland)
Sixers 66 Raptors 56
Brendan Wagner 13pts (CCHS)
Player of the Week
Daiyon Barnett (Allen)

Recap:  In the "Draft Choice" game the Knicks prevailed against a worthy Pacers. It was a pre-cursor to the winter season with two LVC conference selections going head to head. Liberty's DeShawn Oyeniyi and Justin Zajko went back and forth mano on mano. In the end, Zajko and the supporting cast of Josh Jackson, Casey Krause, Claude Bradshaw along with Noah Kandt held on. It was hard to believe these two teams were not in the playoffs. It says a lot about the level of talent in the SCBL this fall.
              The two games with playoff championship implications pitted OKC against the Lakers first. OKC played like a team on a mission, defensively it was the best effort of any team all season. They held the Lakers to under 20 points for more than half the game. The Lakers struggled to tickle the twine except for a late push when Coach Braswell had called off the dogs. The Lakers have several young ballers who will be varsity contributors this winter. OKC got balanced scoring from Zay Jennings with 10pts and Selvaggi and Iorio with 12 apiece. Central's Jimmy Vaughan played set up man with 4 assists and 5 points in the contest.         
              In the final game of the day the #1 seed Sixers took on the dangerous and hungry Raptors.     Coach Dallas Comegys always has his ninjas ready for battle. But on this day so did Coach Lister. The Raptors were playing the role of spoiler most of this contest. I expected this one could be a battle til the end. The Raptors were thinking upset but the Sixers played like the 1983-Doc led version. The Sixers with Daiyon Barnett, Ben Pratt and Brendan Wagner came up with big efforts. Hector Morales and Isaiah Palmer played every possession like it was their last. However the ninjas were able to hold on for a chance to meet a full strength OKC on Nov 3rd in the NBA division's first-ever championship game. The Thriller in Salisbury Township! Can't Wait!
              Championship & Closing Ceremonies will be November 3rd.
              NCAA Division Championship, 1:15pm
              NBA Division Championship, 2:45pm
              *The Robert Edwards Most Promising Prospect Award will be announced!

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