Keon Lawrence at Nike Pro City. Photo: Kyle Henry
After getting past all the lines and metal detectors it was game time. The playoffs at Nike Pro City got underway with Queensbridge facing off against Dyckman in the 6:30 p.m. game. The contest was tight the entire first half, with Queensbridge leading the way throughout and taking a 56-50 lead at the half.
The second-half was also nip-tuck. Dyckman took a 65-64 lead, their first lead since 2-0 on a Kenny “Nigerian Nightmare” Adeleke lay in, with just over six minutes left in the third quarter. QB answered going on a 21-11 run to close out the third quarter leading 85-76.
In desperate need of some buckets, Dyckman veteran guard Jerry McCullough had a flashback. McCullough scored nine of Dyckman’s final 12 points, including a four-point play with just over three minutes remaining.
Ira Miller after Queensbridge advanced to championship at Nike Pro City. Photo: Kyle Henry
Christ the King HS alum, Ira Miller was the hero for QB down the stretch. With Dyckman trialing by just a point at 100-99 with two minutes left in the final stanza, Miller sank a trey to give QB some breathing room. Miller struck again, burying another three-pointer with 50 seconds left to put the final nail in Dyckman’s coffin as QB advanced to the championship with a narrow 111-107 victory.
QB had seven players score in double-digits led by, new Houston Rocket forward, Ron Artest’s 21 points. Artest also added 11 rebounds and five assists. Ryan “Special FX” Williams scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Daryll “Showtime” Hill added 18 points and nine rebounds. Jarrid Frye, Miller, Bryant Dunston and Alexis “Flex” Foyle added 15, 14, 13 and 11 points respectively.
Andre “Dre 3000” Barrett was the high man for Dyckman with 24 points, while McCullough added 20. The Nigerian Nightmare contributed 19 points and 15 rebounds for Dyckman in a losing effort.
Showtime Hill making his move to the basket. Photo: Alton Ritter
Showtime made another argument for being mentioned when talking about the top guards on the summer ball scene. His handle and quickness allow him to get in the lane at will and he is burying his jumper consistently.
In the second semi-final, Prime Time held off a late rally by Gold’s Gym to win 99-94 and advance to the championship to face Queensbridge.
Prime Time held a 15 point lead mid-way through the second quarter, but Gordie Malone checked into the game and gave Gold’s Gym a lift. They closed the quarter on a 13-0 run to cut the deficit to two (50-48) at the half.
After the intermission Gold’s Gym took a short lived lead, but Prime Time answered. Keon “Neon” Lawrence of Prime Time gave defenders fits, getting to the basket almost at will and knocking down the jumper when it presented itself. Gold’s Gym made another late push to tie the game at 90-90 with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter, but Prime Time outscored them 9-4 the rest of the way and escaped with a 99-94 win.
Sundiata Gaines led Prime Time with a game-high 23 points and Lawrence added 17. Smush Parker was the high scorer for Gold’s Gym with 22 points, on 4-for-7 shooting from behind the arc. Derrick Caracter added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the losing side.
The championship game between Queensbridge and Prime Time is Thursday August 7th, tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Get there early if you want to get in and get a seat.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
bobbito garcia says:
i never heard of keon lawrence before, and on the sideline we were all asking “who is he, where’d he come from?” supposedly he’s from newark, nj. last year melvin creddle took over pro city and led the league in scoring. new jerusalum representin’ well again.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Brooklyn says:
Gold gym coach need too resign he sucks!!! Can someone tell me why Gordie aka I averege all most 30pt’s in procity almost the whole 1st half?????
August 6th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
eyes says:
him and the queensbridge coach need a new profession.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Ball4Life says:
I do not know who this coach from Golds Gym is but I watched him two years ago do the same foolishness in the playoffs when Golds Gym had high flying Joe Forte. Dude is terrible with subs and the bball game in general.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Shot says:
Did yall have anyone cover Dyckman? I was watching the last game but had to breeze at the half
August 6th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
GABRIELO says:
keon lawrence played at missouri for two years, led them in minutes i believe last year put up about 11 points four assists, he’s now transferred to Seton Hall and he’ll be balling for the Pirates after he sits out a year
August 6th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
GABRIELO says:
oh and ira miller was straight mario elie with the two late threes, i almost expected him to do the cut throat sign after that last one
August 7th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
fan says:
THAT DUDE ALEXIS “FLEX” FOYLE IS TOUGH. WHERE IS HE FROM. HE CHANGES THE GAME EVERYTIME HE SUBS IN. HE PLAYS HARD LIKE RON. HE HAD LIKE 8PTS IN 3 MIN AGAINST DYCKMAN.
August 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Alex says:
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!