Huarache 64, Generation 24

The first game of the night was a testament to why Huarache is still undefeated. They’re relentless on both sides of the ball, and they don’t quit when it comes to rebounding. Maybe they had a Monday night team meeting and watched old interviews with Pat Riley who’s teams notoriously won by the “rebound the ball, control the game” mantra, because that’s exactly what they’ve done all season. After grabbing five offensive rebounds in the first possession before eventually scoring, Huarache was on cruise control from the opening tip and took a 14-4 lead with 13:51 remaining in the first. Both teams had depleted benches, a factor that wouldn’t bode well for Generation as Huarache extended their lead behind the hot hand of Roscoe (14 points and nine rebounds in the first half). Joe Branch knocked down a three to keep Team Gen in the game 23-9 but a 13-5 run was sparked by a breakaway dunk courtesy of Roscoe and capped by a Terance Takyi (23 points, five rebounds, four assists) conversion on a fast-break layup from a steal to end the half 36-14.

Aside from dealing with Huarache’s great play, Team Gen had three-too-many unforced turnovers early in the second half.  Billy Dodson (nine points and nine rebounds) and Fred Whit (eight points and eight rebounds) had near double-double efforts, capitalizing on the missed shots and mishaps of Team Generation. Branch finished with a season low six points, tying with teammate Bobby Joseph, who also had six. J.J. McGowan had a team high nine points for Generation in a game that surely should have been closer. Roscoe stole the show with his 20 point, 14 rebound efforts on the night and proved a point in his team’s 68-24 victory: Huarache is the team to beat this year.

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