W13: Posse folds late, Hi-Tops advance to Finals

The only playoff games of the night proved to better match than expected.

The #1 seed in the “A” division, Hi Tops (& Bottoms) had defeated the #4 seeded Passion Posse two of the three times they met during the regular season.

However, HT&B would be missing one of their top players, Mike O’Connor, so the potential of an upset was more than a small likelihood as the Posse got out to a quick 5-0 lead.

However, HT&B would score the next twelve points, taking a 12-5 lead midway through the game, sparked by the play of Brian Cordero and capped by threes from Justin Volk and Jesse Woodward.

When the Posse went to a zone, turnovers plagued HT&B over the last ten minutes of the first half as Joshua Jones and Bam Bam leaked out for uncontested layup after uncontested layup.

After halftime, an unexpected push for Passion Posse came from 6-4 center Lish Ndhlovu, who fearlessly attacked the basket on offense and defended his basket.

Throughout the second half, Lish couldn’t miss; hitting his first five attempts at the basket. On the other side, Ndhlovu was swatting shots out of midair.

The teams would tussle back and forth with no team able to gain a solid foothold.

With around 45 seconds remaining and HT&B leading by two. Tom Nagashima would hit a crucial three to give the Passion Posse the lead, 37-36 with under a minute to go.

Justin Volk brought up the ball to set up the offense.

With under 15 seconds on the clock, the ball found its way to Jordan in the corner.

Jordan drove the baseline strong, but fumbled the ball as he made his move to the basket.

At the last second, he dumped the ball off to his male lover Jesse who was cutting down the middle.

Jesse was fouled as attempted to go up for the shot.

Jesse calmly sank his first free-throw, a high-archer that settled through the net and tied the game at 37.

His second free-throw would miss, but Francis fought his way around Lish for a strong two-handed rebound. Under the basket, Francis would gather himself under the hoop for the putback… and one. 39-37 Hi-Tops (& Bottoms).

Francis’ free-throw would give HT&B a 3-point cushion with 8 seconds remaining.

Passion Posse would pass the ball around on the last play before eventually getting the ball to Paul Walsh for a good look at a three. Unfortunately for the Posse, as with their entire season, they would come up short in the end.

Hi-Tops (& Bottoms) used a balanced attack. Neil Sullivan scored 11 points. Brian Cordero and Jesse Woodward each added 7 points. While Jordan Lampenfeld had 10 rebounds.

Lish would finish the game with a season-high 14 points and 4 blocks, while adding 6 rebounds. Bam Bam had 11 points, and Joshua jones added 5 points, 6 steals and 4 rebounds.

The Hi-Tops & Bottoms will be in the “A” Division Finals next week, Thursday, July 15th, 2010.

Their opponents in that game, as well as the teams competing in the “B” Finals will be determined this coming MONDAY, Thursday July 12th at the Castro Gym.

Hi-Tops (& Bottoms) 40

Passion Posse 37