Feb. 8, 2010 will forever be known as the the Darien YMCA house basketball league’s finest exhibition. With single elimination in place for the first time, every team was fighting to live another day from the onset. The eight teams in the 11th/12th grade league playoffs played their first round games at the Darien YMCA from 6p-10p, providing four of the most exciting, closely contested games in recent memory.
The undefeated #1 Lakers took on the #8 Timberwolves (who won their only game of the regular season against the #2 Bulls on Feb. 7) in the first game of the night, just holding on for a 40-37 win. Despite finishing the season with just one win, the Timberwolves gained some respect by beating the #2 team and losing twice by one possession in their last three games. Also, the Timberwolves junior Graham Hotchkiss finished the season as the league’s leading scorer.
The second game, between the #4 Hornets and #5 Knicks, was a rematch of a game played the day before (won by the Hornets 31-26). The Hornets led throughout, but the Knicks defense, sparked by inspired play from junior Scotty Waters, let up only nine second half points, and seniors John Gardner and Brandon Tripodi hit timely jumpers to force OT. Both teams failed to score in the first two overtimes, but junior Kevin Keller capped off a game high 10 points with a decisive layup. Senior Ryan Saffa added a free throw, and the Knicks were unable to make a three- pointer on the other end, giving the Hornets a 36-33 win in 3OT.
The third game of the night pitted the #2 Bulls against the #7 Celtics. Many players from around the league felt the Bulls were unlucky to draw the Celtics, who despite their record have as much talent as any team in the league. The Celtics lived up to their billing, taking out the favored Bulls in OT 54-52. It was a disappointing end to a once promising season for the Bulls, who were considered the best team in the league until losing three straight by a basket or less.
The final game of the night continued the drama, matching the 3OT clash between the Hornets and Knicks in excitement. The #3 Bobcats and #6 Spurs staged an epic battle on the court for the last spot in the Semi Finals. Senior Jack Bushell put up 19 points on offense, and senior Andrew West dominated on defense for the Spurs. But KLHT junior Max Reyes, who finished with an absurd 38 points, led the Bobcats back from a 16-point deficit with five minutes remaining to force yet another overtime. The Bobcats took advantage of the momentum and won 68-66 in OT, capping off a night of brilliant basketball and bitter disappointment.
The timing of these spectacular games could not have been worse, as in past years all of the losing teams would have had a chance at the title via advancing through the losers’ bracket (the last four champions for the current junior grade have come from the losers’ bracket). But in an effort to beat February break, single elimination was adopted, leaving all of the worthy losers out of the running. Bulls junior Peter McDonough was disappointed that such scintillating play was marred by administrative decisions.
“I think they should have taken a break and done double elimination playoffs after the break. It doesn’t seem right to let one game undo the entire regular season. Also, there was one ref for four games, and he was obviously worn out by the end – they should have had multiple refs. Lastly, they should not have moved the playoffs to the smaller YMCA gym, because the style of play was completely changed,” McDonough said.
The playoffs continue on Wednesday (Feb. 10) at the YMCA, so anyone who missed this season's excitement should go and cheer on the surviving teams.
(Photo: Senior Connor "all air" McCarthy (left), Clarke"professor" Glavin (middle) and Zach Miller (right) on the Spurs bench)
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