Generation 37, Uptempo 42

The place is packed! People stayed after the Liberty game just to see what’s going on. And the true NRF fans, they gobbled up all the leftover thunderstix to use them during the game. While Uptempo’s whole squad was here (even super coach Terrence Chin was suiting up), Generation was playing without starting point guard J.J. McGowan who got hurt earlier in the day on Wednesday, and Erik Parker (who’s just straight up MIA).

The game was set. Everyone in full uniform, team names on the JumboTron and 200+ people in the stands (although the majority were from Mike Won’s family). With the legendary wordsmith Horse on the mic, five photographers flanking the baseline and a real NBA buzzer – it was time to go.

Uptempo won the tip which led to the first bucket of the ball game by Scott Williams. If they can get him going, it’s going to be a long night for Generation. Other than playing on the world’s largest stage, one thing that most players aren’t used to is the deeper three-point line. Will this be a factor? We’ll see. Also, compared to playing in the gym at 350 Grand, this court is much longer.

Getting adjusted to the depth and length of the Garden, Adrian Miles gets Generation on the baord after converting an and-one to tie the game 3-3 with 16 minutes left in the first half. Helping him out, Dan Cherry decided he was going to get going early, making back-to-back buckets. A three from Stalley followed by a steal and spinning layup by Rafael DaSilva (the league’s leader in swipes), and Generation had a 14-8 lead with 11 minutes to play.

Perhaps it was the bright lights, or the ’chip on the line, but Stalley decided it was going to be his night as he knocked down another three. Leaving it all on the floor, Joe Branch has a Rodman-esque hustle play where he dove out of bounds to save the rock, while fatigue was clearly setting in for both teams. With one minute to play in the half, Generation’s lead was now gone as the game was tied 20-20. Trying to make a push right before halftime, DaSilva was able to get to the line twice and knock down all his freebies, giving Generation a 24-20 lead at the break.

As the second half began, there was one question on everyone’s mind: Where is Scott Williams? A giant killer all season, in the championship game, you hardly knew the Co-Rookie of the Year was out there. On the other hand, fellow All-Rookie Team member Stalley was doin’ work. Pushing the tempo and battling back and forth with DaSilva, if Uptempo (the heavy favorites going into the game) was going to win, they needed him to keep it up.

While the normal court at NRF doesn’t even allow for the corner three, DaSilva was loving all the space he had to maneuver. Case in point: consecutive plays where DaSilva ends up with a wide open lay-up – one after a Branch outlet pass and another off a DaSilva steal. With 15 minutes left in the game, Generation’s lead was now 29-23.

But Williams & Co. wasn’t going to give up that easy. Showing that he can steal the rock as well, Williams pickpocketed DaSilva at half court, giving it up to Stalley for the bucket and the foul. After the free throw, the game was tied 29-29 with 12 minutes to play.

From there, it was back to defense. With no shot clock, 94 feet and a championship on the line, it was time to dig in. As if they were each channeling Gary Payton, both DaSilva and Stalley were talking shit the entire second half and scoring in transition on either end.

With six minutes left, a pair of free throws by Won gave Uptempo a 35-33 lead. But right back at them, DaSilva kept taking the ball to the basket, eventually tying the game 35-35 with just under five minutes to play. For the next three minutes, the score stayed the same as both teams realized that defensive was going to win – maybe not all, but – this championship.

Finally getting a clean shot, Miles was fouled and stepped to the line with two minutes left. Making only one of two, Williams came back the other way and capitalized, draining a three to give Uptempo a 38-36 lead with a minute and a half to play. Realizing that they can’t stop the clock any way other than fouling, Generation nabs Stalley and sends him to the line with just under a minute to play. Stepping to the line with a chance to put it away, Stalley misses the front end of a one-and-one and Generation grabs the rebound and calls timeout.

Having to take the ball the length of the court with 54.3 seconds left, the ball is in DaSilva’s hands. Dribbling all over the court to avoid the steal, he’s eventually fouled with 37.3 seconds left. Missing the first free throw, DaSilva makes the second and Generation trails 38-37. They immediately foul Won where he too misses the front end and makes the second, giving Uptempo a 39-37 lead.

Charging down the court, they give the rock to Branch… but he travels! Turning the ball over, they foul Williams as soon as he touches the ball, where he goes on to miss both free throws! But rather than having the ball back and still down two, David Jacoby gets a huge offensive rebound and gives the ball to Stalley. After making the first, Stalley misses the second but Danny Millan is there for the follow, pushing the lead to 42-37. With 24.3 seconds left it was too late. Uptempo had won back-to-back championships.

Final score: Uptempo wins, 42-37.

	1	2		T
Generation	24	13	-	37
Uptempo	20	22	-	42

Box Scores

---

---