W10: High Tops, City Swishers clinch top playoff seeds

by Chuck Martin

Thursday, June 17, 2010 – San Francisco CA – Two teams clinched top playoff seeds in Castro Basketball League (CBL) action tonight. High Tops (& Bottoms) (6-2) took advantage of a shorthanded (yet very energetic) Team Jacob (5-3) to win a close game, 50-40, and earn the A Division top spot. City Swishers (6-1) crushed Moonlanding (3-5) 40-26 to earn the B Division top spot. And in the night’s final game, Mack Attack (4-4) edged edged Defenders (2-5) 32-26 in a defensive struggle.

It’s the last thing you want: you’re playing for something (in this case, top seed in the playoffs), and you’re shorthanded. That’s the position Team Jacob found itself in tonight as they faced off against High Tops (& Bottoms), putting just 4 players on the floor to begin the game, this game that pitted two 5-2 teams. Even shorthanded, they managed to get on the board first, a three, and 3 minutes in, a fifth player finally arrived. It meant they didn’t have to play short and could leave fewer holes in their defense, but 5 players playing 40 minutes was going to be a long row to hoe. With a three 7 minutes in, High Tops (& Bottoms) took a 9-6 lead, yet early on, Team Jacob kept in the fight, first falling behind 14-9, and then running off 5 points to tie it 10 minutes in. Team Jacob continued to win the hustle battles, not only keeping them in the game, but giving them a 21-19 lead with 5 minutes left in the half. But helped by 2 threes in the last 5 minutes of the half, High Tops (& Bottoms) took a 29-23 lead into the break.

It was mostly High Tops (& Bottoms) to open the second half, although scoring wasn’t exactly falling through, but they did go on a 5-2 run during that span to extend the lead to 34-25, and with 10 minutes to go, the gap was the same, 39-30. The defenses then really kicked in, as the two team combined scored only 6 points over the next 5 minutes, All of them, however, were on Team Jacob threes, which cut the lead to 39-36. High Tops (& Bottoms responded by hitting free throws and a basket or two to take it bake to 45-40 with 1:30 left. At the 1:25 mark, Team Jacob was fouled, but they hit neither shot and High Tops (& Bottoms) got the rebound, whereupon Team Jacob went into fouling mode. High Tops (& Bottoms) hit enough of their fouls shots to take the win, 50-40.

The City Swishers needed just on win to wrap up the top seed in the B Division playoffs, and they took advantage of a Moonlanding team that simply could not get anything to drop early, running out to a 15-0 lead before Moonlanding finally was able to make its first basket. Moonlanding made up the gap somewhat late in the half, cutting the lead to 23-13 at the break. But unlike its previous two games, City Swishers didn’t wilt in the second half to make an exciting game. No, they took care of business and walk away with a convincing 40-26 win.

Mack Attack and Defenders began their game slowly and deliberately, each one seeking out an edge over the other, but with scoring hard to come by. The two teams traded two baskets early, but as late as 7:30 in, the score was just 4-4. Defenders finally found some offense later in the half, going up 13-8, but Mack Attack responded with 2 threes to take a 14-13 edge with a bit less than 5 minutes to play in the half. In those last 5 minutes, scoring once again disappeared; Mack Attack hit only one field goal and Defenders managed just one of two foul shots, to leave Mack Attack with a 16-14 edge at the break.

The dearth of scoring continued into the second half, as neither team could put the biscuit in the basket. At 5 minutes, in, the score was tied at 18-18. The next 5 minutes not only wasn’t an improvement, it got worse. Mack Attack scored one field goal and Defenders hit 3 free throws, making it 21-20. After a couple of threes, one by each team, the tension grew as the clock ticked past the 6:00 mark with Defenders holding the barest of margins, 26-25, yet Mack Attack still attacked with its specialty, and a minute later got a three to drop, taking the lead back at 28-26. With less the 3 minutes to go, Mack Attack attacked inside to take their biggest lead by any team, 30-26. Defenders missed on their next two possessions, and Mack Attack was fouled on a drive with 1:37 to go, but made neither. Defenders pushed the ball inside themselves, but was unable to convert, although they got fouled on a putback with 1:18 left. But they made neither of their free throws as well. Defenders had to begin fouling, sending Mack Attack finally to the free throw line with 1:02 remaining. They made 1 of 2 this time to stretch the lead to 31-26, and Defenders push the ball down court quickly. they were unable to convert, and fouled again with 45 seconds to go. Again, 1 of 2, for a 32-26 score, which was the final.

Next week sees the 4 A Division teams in action trying to prep for playoff runs, and a B Division game featuring Defenders trying to make a move in the standings. All games are on the Mark Bingham court at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood (behind Delano’s IGA), and are free for the public to view. And view the league schedule and game results here.

Note to all players, as well as spectators, especially those who drive to the Castro: The June 24 games occur during Frameline (the very popular LGBT film festival) at the Castro theater and Gay Pride week, so parking in the Castro will be very, very difficult. Plan ahead and arrive early.