Game Over Classic Championship

WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY - On Sunday, the Game Over Classic 17U and 16U divisions came to a head at the Island Garden. Both games featured a Lightning team albeit with varying results. Here are brief recaps of each game.

17U DIVISION

NY Lightning strikes down Team Underrated, 68-52

A physically bigger NY Lightning squad would control the paint and create transition points from the opening tip-off. What began as a close game, stretched out into a ten point lead for the Lightning. The trio of Amaveer Singh from the perimeter, center Jessie Govan inside and Dimencio Vaughn also scoring from the wing proved to be an insurmountable combination.

Team Underrated would make a late surge but still trailed 40-31 at the half.

In the second half, Team Underrated did a better job offensively mostly from the foul line but was still unable to stop the Lightning on the defensive end.

The Lightning continued implementing the 2-3 zone they used in the opening half as the second half began. Team Underrated attacked but with fading results. Four minutes remained and Team Underrated was still down 60-47. They would eventually fall short by 16 points as the NY Lightning would hold on to win the chip.

Govan would pace the Lightning with 18 points and 12 rebounds while Vaughn added 14 points. Kyle Harvey led Team Underrated with 17 points.

16U DIVISION

Jayhawks reign over L.I. Lightning, 62-52

The NY Jayhawks jumped in front early but the L.I. Lightning nipped at their heels throughout the first half. Chris Burkley (L.I. Lutheran) came up with critical buckets when it counted most, giving the Jayhawks a 33-28 halftime advantage

In the second half, the Lightning received a boost from Chris Coalman (St. Mary's) who pulled the Lightning to within two early. The Jayhawks managed to re-extend their lead but a resilient L.I. Lightning team only trailed 48-45 with 7 minute left to play.

Basketball is a game of runs and the Jayhawks saved one last run for the end of the game to extend their lead to ten points and take home the championship.

Burkley was high man for the Jayhawks with 11 points. Coalman notched a game high 12 points for the Lightning in a losing effort.