The Fastbreakers stun White Men Can’t Jump with a big come from behind win in League B. While Pelican Bay and the Toon Squad both stay undefeated a week ahead of their heavyweight matchup in League A.
Buffalo, NY- Week 4 was chock-full of great matchups. The biggest matchup in League B was between White Men Can’t Jump and the Fastbreakers. The Fastbreakers were looking to stay undefeated, while White Men Can’t Jump were looking for the upset. The White Men got off to a fast start behind the hot hand of Frankie Musso, who scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half. Joey Catalano (17 points) also kicked in three three-pointers in the first half as White Men Can’t Jump jumped out to a 45-29 lead at the half. During halftime captain Nick DeMonte gave an inspirational speech and made some strategic changes that would prove to change the course of the game. In the second half the Fastbreakers turned the ship around and quickly cut what was once a 19 point deficit into a lead at about the five minute mark. Tony Conti (12 points) knocked down a pair of threes during the big second half run and big man Seth Runge dominated on the inside, scoring 17 of his 25 points in the second half. The White Men Can’t Jump continued to fall apart at the end as the Fastbreakers completed the biggest comeback of the season with the 79-71 win.
The Wolf Pack picked up their first win of the season against Sean Kenney and Off Constantly. Matt Brooks scored a team high 15 points in the win as they look to stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot. Healthy Buffalo picked up their third win of the season against the Premature Shooters. After starting shorthanded, it appeared that Off Constantly might be poised to pull off the upset as they carried a tie game into the break. Jeff Star played his heart out for Off Constantly, leading his team with 25 points, but it wasn’t enough as Healthy Buffalo laid on the attack in the second half as they reached full strength. Uchenna Gigi scored a team high 19 points to lead Healthy Buffalo to a 61-47 victory and a perfect start to the season through four weeks.
Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy joined the Fastbreakers and Healthy Buffalo as the final three undefeated teams in League B with another big win in Week 4, this time against the Nickel City Dimers. Lenny Frears (19 points) and Troy Langworthy (22 points) dominated the court from the start, leading Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy to a 49-23 lead at the half. In the second half Sean Baker (15 points) tried to rally his troops, but came up short as Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy cruised to an 84-47 win. The Nickel City Dimers will have a chance to get their season on track in Week 5 as they take on Grind Time who are also in search of their first win of the season.
United Hoops knocked off Concrete in the 4:40 pm game as they welcomed the return of their captain Justin Stokes (19 points). The win keeps United Hoops within one game of first place in League B as they get ready to play the Fastbreakers in Week 5. The U.H. picked up their first win of the season against Grind Time despite playing without their veteran captain Mike Capuana. Will Castro led the attack with 29 points while the U.H. to a 50-44 win.
In the first game of action in League A, Captain/Coach Jake Walkow made his triumphant return from an ACL injury he suffered in Season 8. Unfortunately his return was spoiled by the Toon Squad, who extended their record breaking winning streak to 14 games. Justin Andreozzi led all scorers with 27 points.
In the 7:25 pm game Norfolk N’ Chance played host to the Billies, who played in place of Niagara University, who were enjoying their spring break away from school. The Billies fought hard, but were no match for a souped up Norfolk N’ Chance team, led behind the potent offensive attack of Todd Kane (21 points) and Mark Giordano (20 points).
Swoopin’ In On Ya Girl stayed hot with a big win over Court Justice. After nearly surrendering their double digit lead in the game’s closing minutes, Swoopin’ held on the the narrow win, 80-76. John Papincak led all scorers with 31 points, including a key layup in the games closing moments. The loss drops Court Justice to 2-2, while Swoopin’ remains just one game out of first place with the win.
R.I.P. Ent and the Buffalo Braves had this game circled on the schedule at the beginning of the season. While both teams came into the game 0-3, there was no loss of intensity in this one. R.I.P. Ent dominated the first half defensively, holding the Buffalo Braves to just four field goals. The Buffalo Braves made a good run in the second half behind the strong shooting of Aris Schultz (16 points) and Hank Bell (10 points), but it was too little too late as they fell to 0-4 with the 64-60 loss.
Pelican Bay looked to keep their undefeated season alive against the Cleveland Beamers. The Beamers came out on fire in the first half, playing with a passion and intensity usually reserved for the playoffs. Edvin Ramulic (29 points) did his best to keep his teammates in the game, but they couldn’t handle the onslaught delivered by Pelican Bay. Ahmed Nagaya (17 points) put in another strong all-round performance and has begun to draw interest from scouts on the Healthy Buffalo Dream Team, while Antonio Samedi put the finishing touches on this win with a thunderous dunk in the closing minutes. Final score: Pelican Bay 75, Cleveland Beamers 54.
Monumental Matchup in Week 5
In what is perhaps the most highly anticipated Champions League matchup since Jon Plail led Norfolk N’ Chance over Swoopin’ In On Ya Girl in the opening week of Season 9, Pelican Bay will face the Toon Squad in the third game of action in Week 5. A the league’s reigning champions, the Toon Squad will carry a 14 game winning streak into the game along with an air of invincibility. Yet they will have their hands full with a very confident Pelican Bay team. Can the Toon Squad make it 15 straight? Be there this Sunday at 2:50 to find out!
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