Game Over Classic Championships
WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY - The Gold 17U championship of Game Over Classic was split between host teams NY Lightning EYBL and NY Lightning Black who did not play. Here are brief recaps of Sunday’s 17U Silver chip between the 17U second place teams along with 16U and 15U championships
Team Jamaica Wins 17U Silver Over NY Dragons
The 17u Silver chip Champs was Team Jamaica as the fast-paced athletic style they played was too much for the NY Dragons (Purple). After a 35-point performance in Saturday’s pool play with the Dragons, Payton Hudson (Stepinac ’18) had a surprising 8-point performance. His team stayed in it until the end but a ferocious one-handed tomahawk by Kareem Reid (John Bowne 19’) seemingly opened the flood gates from Team Jamaica. Probably the most consistent player all tournament Nikosi Cooper (19’) who had 19 points to lead his team to an 82-71 victory as Team Jamaica opened some eyes winning the 2017 Game Over Classic 17u Championship.
NJ Playaz Takes Out NY Lightning (Black) to Win 16U
After upsetting a loaded Lightning 16u team, the Playaz from New Jersey went into the championship game with heaps of confidence. They had to face the same name but different players, Lightning (Black) this time. They lead by ten or more for majority of the game against NY Lightning (Black) and they never let up. There guard play overwhelmed the Lightning team and they just couldn’t keep up, ending in a comfortable 59-51 contest. Jalen Colon paced the Playaz with 14 points with Ashton Miller adding 10 points
Th Wiz Kid Edge Milbank Flyer to Win 15U Chip
The 15u Championship hosted the Milbank Flyers and the Wiz Kids of NY. A high scoring game throughout the last few seconds were crucial as the game was tied at 83-83 in Milbank’s possession. A half court lob was stolen by Jose Cuello (Wings Academy 20’) as he drove to the basket and finish an and one play. This kid was impressive all game as he finished with 33 points, but with a miss at the free-throw line he gave Milbank hope again. There was 0.6 seconds on the clock and the score was 85-82, Milbank’s inbounded the ball and tossed up an unanswered prayer. With a catch baskets, late in the second half by Cuello the Wiz Kids came out victorious as the hoisted the 2017 Game Over Classic 15u Championship.