We came into this game knowing we didn’t have a chance in the world matching up with their size (probably the tallest team in the state and maybe the nation) so we decided we would go as small as we logically could (started Sewer 5’9, Duberry 5’11, Knopke 6’2, Zimmermann 6’3 and Cummings 6’5) play up-tempo, sit back in an ACTIVE zone and more importantly BLOCK OUT!
We had only practiced twice before this tournament so a lot of the things we where going to try where on the fly and then we had to factor in the new key players (Devon Knopke, Spencer Cummings, Lomumba Ismail and BJ Sherva).
The game started out at our pace as we put up four air ball 3’s and PNR missed a few easy shots. The refs where calling what we thought where some soft fouls in the paint against us trying to battle their size. PNR showed the signs that we showed, early morning game and a lot of new players. I believe the game prior to ours, which ran extremely late, gave both teams a problem getting started because of the quick 4 minute warm up time.
Our 1-3-1 twisting 3-2 zone and junk press gave them problems as their most meaningful points came from Carlos Embry on break out and back side dunks (8 points). Jasper (10 points) hit a 3 to end the 1st half and we where able to get out to a 35-28 halftime lead. Jauson’s breakouts where what we needed to keep PNR thinking we would beat them down the court at any given time. With Spencer getting in foul trouble, Lomumba’s (3 of 4 from the line) and Doug’s (2 of 2 from the line) inside work was huge.
Jay hit an opening 2nd half 3 to push our lead to 10. We decided to sit in our zone and pack it in even more because PNR had not made a 3 point shot in the 1st half. Embry got a couple of leak out baskets as PNR went on a 10-0 run. We missed a couple of easy inside shots as Spencer picked up his 4th foul and had to sit while PNR got a couple of put back baskets and the next thing you know we are down 2.
With about 6 minutes left Spencer returns and gets twisted up with Rostampour during our possession and the refs call a double foul. This kills us because it’s Spencer’s 5th foul, PNR had just scored and then gets the ball back because of the possession arrow … horrible call in a game of this magnitude at this pont of the game. We go ice cold, Noreen (13 points) knocks down two huge 3’s (PNR’s only 3’s of the game) and we can’t come back. We’re forced to foul as PNR ices it from the free throw line (Aaron Anderson 3 of 4) to end the game.
35-28 TNL @ The Half
Box: Sewall 6, Duberry 12, Host 3, Ismail 7, Sewer 12, Knopke 10, Zimmermann 3, Cummings 3.
The Czar:
Q2: Pump N Run 17s vs TNL. Back and forth in the 1st half but TNLs pace. 17 All with 6:43 left in the half, then 23-21 TNL before they stretch it to 35-24 on a Jasper Duberry 3. 35-28 TNL at the half. An 8-0 run early in the 2nd half by PNR cuts the lead to 38-36. 47-41 TNL with 9 minutes left before the shots don't fall and that's not good for TNL with Spencer Cummings out of the game. PNR goes on a 22-3 run with some of that against TNL traps after PNR got the lead and spread the court with about 5 minutes left. 65-56 PNR wins. The number of easy bunnies that PNR missed inside was unbelievable in this one. Kevin Noreen had 3 of them on the 1st 3 possessions of the game (and this wasn't the only game where he had trouble finishing). TNL played zone most of the way and kept PNR at bay with it as they didn't get much inside.
Stevens Sports Report:
It was Sunday morning and we are back in the first game of the Sunday session. In the first game it was TNL Express going up against Minnesota Pump and Run. Both of these teams started off looking to get the ball up the court. Pump and Run started out playing zone defense.Both teams were able to make shots early in the contest. TNL looked to push the ball up the court in transition.Both teams traded baskets throughout the first half. Neither team was able to make a run in the first half.Jake Kreuser for Pump and Run had a couple of nice moves in the first half. He was able to shake off his defender with a head fake and go in for a nice layup.TNL had trouble breaking the Pump and Run press. Pump and Run did a good job getting the ball up the court.Both teams were able to keep the score close throughout the first half. Each team was able to counter the others scoring chances.Aaron Ernest Anderson from Pump and Run was a little spark plug throughout the game by coming up with some nice shots in the first half.TNL was able to make some easy shots in the first half. Pump and Run kind of went to sleep and TNL was able to find the back door and get some wide open shots at the basket.This has been a very competitive first half. TNL Express was able to go on a run late in the late in the first half. Pump and Run didn’t give up in the first half.At half time the score was TNL Express 35 and Pump and Run 28.In the start of the second half Pump and Run came out fired up and they were able to make some quick shots.Turnover’s hurt the Pump and Run team for most of the game. Everyone on the team had a case of the fumbles.Pump and Run tried to make a comeback in the second half. They were able to do that. Dyami Starks was able to make some nice plays and lead the Pump and Run back into the game.Each team battled in the second half. Throughout this tournament the Pump and Run guys really did a good job of coming together when they were down and deciding to put up shots in critical times in the game. They did that again here in this game.The Pump and Run was able to go on a run in the second half and battled their way back into the game and they were able to come away with a hard fought victory.TNL Express played a tough game they were able to expose Pump and Run in the first half. They really put the pursuer on TNL.In the end Pump and Run came away with the 65-56 victory.
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