We began with eight. Then we were down to four. And now only two remain.
After Monday night's semifinal contests, the Pittsburgh Pro-Am has whittled its season down to one game: The championship on Wednesday night at 7:30.
Monday brought plenty of surprises. Two of the league's standout players were eliminated, and one of the league's most consistent teams also bowed out. Let's get to the action.
SHALE ATTORNEYS 106, SOUTH HILLS AUDI 98
The team that I have taken to nicknaming the Spurs, in honor of their excellent ball movement and distribution, has been bounced. And that's because despite 20 assists, including 12 from Lance Jeter, the South Hills Audi squad just didn't shoot well. At least, not as well as Shale did, which went an impressive 38-of-66 from the floor (57.5%). Three players were over 20 points for Shale, led by Duquesne's Eric James with 27. Dukes teammate Rene Castro wasn't far behind with 24, and West Liberty's CJ Hester had one of his best games of the summer with 20 points.
That helped overcome a rare quiet game from Charles Oliver, as the RMU sharpshooter went just 4-of-12, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range. Oliver arrived a tad late, so maybe he just never got in rhythm.
The loss for South Hills meant Sheldon Jeter's impressive 30 point performance came in defeat, while it also meant that we'll have to wait another summer to see Lance Jeter step on the floor again.
SYSTEM ONE 95, PGT 90
Two of the best players in the league this year have been Josh Newkirk and Lucky Jones. The PGT stars have dominated at times and rank among the league's most prolific scorers. Alas, neither one will play in the championship game thanks to the league's MVP and his band of merry men. Jones had 36 points and eight rebounds to lead the way, while Newkirk had 24 points.
But System One's been one of the top scoring teams all summer thanks to Young, James Robinson, Micah Mason and Marcquise Reed. Young led the way again with 30 points and nine rebounds, while Robinson dished out 10 assists. Mason canned six 3-pointers - all in the first half - en route to 22, while Reed chipped in 13 points. Aaron Tate had three points for System One.
This game is also notable because of the first time, things got a little heated. Late in the second half, Young and Duquesne's Darius Lewis had to be separated after some pushing under the basket. They were assessed double-technicals and there were no further incidents, but I don't think they'll be on each other's Christmas card lists.
The results mean that Oliver and Shale Attorneys will take on Reed, Tate and System One on Wednesday at 7:30.
The All-League team was also unveiled prior to the games on Monday. Pitt's Mike Young was named MVP while Panthers freshman Cameron Johnson was named the Newcomer of the Year.
Others recognized on the all-league team were:
Karvel Anderson, RMU graduate
Lucky Jones, RMU
Rene Castro, Duquesne
Derrick Colter, Duquesne
Lance Jeter, Nebraska graduate
Josh Newkirk, Pitt
Joe Uchebo, Pitt
Our last report will be Wednesday.
After Monday night's semifinal contests, the Pittsburgh Pro-Am has whittled its season down to one game: The championship on Wednesday night at 7:30.
Monday brought plenty of surprises. Two of the league's standout players were eliminated, and one of the league's most consistent teams also bowed out. Let's get to the action.
SHALE ATTORNEYS 106, SOUTH HILLS AUDI 98
The team that I have taken to nicknaming the Spurs, in honor of their excellent ball movement and distribution, has been bounced. And that's because despite 20 assists, including 12 from Lance Jeter, the South Hills Audi squad just didn't shoot well. At least, not as well as Shale did, which went an impressive 38-of-66 from the floor (57.5%). Three players were over 20 points for Shale, led by Duquesne's Eric James with 27. Dukes teammate Rene Castro wasn't far behind with 24, and West Liberty's CJ Hester had one of his best games of the summer with 20 points.
That helped overcome a rare quiet game from Charles Oliver, as the RMU sharpshooter went just 4-of-12, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range. Oliver arrived a tad late, so maybe he just never got in rhythm.
The loss for South Hills meant Sheldon Jeter's impressive 30 point performance came in defeat, while it also meant that we'll have to wait another summer to see Lance Jeter step on the floor again.
SYSTEM ONE 95, PGT 90
Two of the best players in the league this year have been Josh Newkirk and Lucky Jones. The PGT stars have dominated at times and rank among the league's most prolific scorers. Alas, neither one will play in the championship game thanks to the league's MVP and his band of merry men. Jones had 36 points and eight rebounds to lead the way, while Newkirk had 24 points.
But System One's been one of the top scoring teams all summer thanks to Young, James Robinson, Micah Mason and Marcquise Reed. Young led the way again with 30 points and nine rebounds, while Robinson dished out 10 assists. Mason canned six 3-pointers - all in the first half - en route to 22, while Reed chipped in 13 points. Aaron Tate had three points for System One.
This game is also notable because of the first time, things got a little heated. Late in the second half, Young and Duquesne's Darius Lewis had to be separated after some pushing under the basket. They were assessed double-technicals and there were no further incidents, but I don't think they'll be on each other's Christmas card lists.
The results mean that Oliver and Shale Attorneys will take on Reed, Tate and System One on Wednesday at 7:30.
The All-League team was also unveiled prior to the games on Monday. Pitt's Mike Young was named MVP while Panthers freshman Cameron Johnson was named the Newcomer of the Year.
Others recognized on the all-league team were:
Karvel Anderson, RMU graduate
Lucky Jones, RMU
Rene Castro, Duquesne
Derrick Colter, Duquesne
Lance Jeter, Nebraska graduate
Josh Newkirk, Pitt
Joe Uchebo, Pitt
Our last report will be Wednesday.
