Generation 53, Shox 50

This is it boys and girls, the Uptown Conference Finals between Shox and Generation. Finishing the season with the same record, and splitting on the year, this one is clearly anybody’s game. In warm-ups, the talk of the town was how J.J. McGowan ruptured his Achilles right before the game. Apparently last year, he endured a similar injury that kept him out of the decisive game. Also, Joe Branch was getting up and throwing down in the lay-up line, calling some people to call into question the use of performance enhance steroids. We’ll be speaking to Selena Roberts on this matter and getting back to you…

The first true play of the game was Rafael DaSilva with a pull-up jumper in the lane, which set the tone early. Followed by Andrew Katz converting on the block and a swat from Jason Burke on the other end, and you knew Shox wasn’t going anywhere. Without their point guards Justin Leonard and Jamal Lesane, swingman Will Eberhart was handling the ball. While his handles are fine, the only problem with this was the fact the it inhibited some ball movement as Eberhart dominated the ball.

Generation had an early bounce in their step, as DaSilva was clearly feeling it with another pull-up swish. But a bombardment of blocks, boards and buckets from Burke battling below the basket kept Shox right there. With 10 minutes left, Generation led 18-12 as their zone was effective. Over the next three minutes, the score remained exactly the same, as everyone seemed to be missing field goals and free throws.

Finally breaking the pace, at the six minute mark Generation had pushed their lead to 24-12 behind great defense from DaSilva & Co. as they would steal the entry pass. It’s safe to say, that a Generation win, especially sans McGowan could solidify Rookie of the Year honors for DaSilva.

As the half wound down, Generation was in no hurry to score and began to stall. But this plan didn’t really work out for them as they began turning the ball over once they got out of their rhythm. As one person in the stands yelled, “Why stop what you’re doing?”

At halftime, the score was 24-18 in favor of Generation. Burke was heating up through the adversity, Eberhart was playing some of his best ball. Before you knew it, following a Juan Reyes three, Shox had jumped to a 32-29 lead with 14 minutes to play.

From there, over the next 12 minutes, things got interesting. Back-and-forth as both teams were having to play through a slew of no-calls, it was finally a steal by Eberhart that tied the game at 38-38 with two minutes left. But after an up-and-under from Reyes followed by a three from DaSilva, and Generation was up 41-40.

The next play down, Eberhart got fouled, but missed both attempts at the line, while Dan Cherry was fouled on the other end, and could only make one. The Generation lead was now 42-40. But when they needed it most, Burke stepped in and hit a jumper tying the game. With under 30 seconds at this point, Generation throws the ball in with about 7.3 seconds left. Branch gets the inbounds pass and takes it straight to the rack for the bucket and two-point lead.

With 2.5 seconds left, Shox tries to advance the ball but it is knocked out. With one play to tie or win the game, they pass into Burke on the baseline and he converts. But wait, there’s a foul? When Burke went for the attempt, Branch hammered Katz off the ball simultaneously. Unable to convert on one final play, we were going to overtime.

In OT, Generation jumped out to the 46-44 lead, but Burke entered his wheelhouse and knocked down a jumper from the elbow extended to tie the game 46-46 with 1:30 left to play. The next two possessions were a Reyes miss on the front end of a one-and-one and a turnover from DaSilva, so it was still anybody’s game. But a steal from Josh Gotthelf and a ridiculous behind-the-back pass looked to give Shox the late win, but they were unable to convert.

In the second OT, Reyes made a lay-up off a steal to give Shox the two-point advantage. Trying to go Kobe and put his team on his back, DaSilva proceeded to do some work. After making only one of two at the line, DaSilva stepped up the next possession and made both, bringing the Generation lead to 49-48. Follow the with a bucket from Cherry and a lay-up by DaSilva and the lead was 53-48 for Generation.

Continuing his stellar play in the extra periods, Reyes came down and made the tough bucket, making it 53-50 with under 30 seconds to play. Quickly fouling Jomo Davis, he proceeds to miss both free throws, and the game was still within reach for Shox. But after trying to find a good shot, Shox was just unable to get a good look, resulting in Burke launching from three and missing with about 1.3 seconds left. Despite DaSilva’s two missed free throws keeping the game alive, Shox was unable to eek out the victory.

Final score: Generation wins, 53-50.

	1	2		T
Generation	24	29	-	53
Shox	18	32	-	50

Box Scores

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