PCTI 2, Game 1 Review

Synopsis:

Team BC outlasted Team Eskildsen by the narrowest of margins, 70-67. Even so, the game was much closer than the score indicated as Team Eskildsen had a chance to win the game in the last 30 seconds on a BMW jackknife layup attempt, and several attempts at the buzzer to tie the score with a 3 ball. Neither team had a lead of more than 7 points during the entire game. However, the adrenaline must have gotten to many of us, as each team shot less than 35% from the field, and less than 28% from 3. An aesthetically brutal game to watch, the defense for each side was better than the offense, and it took some time for many players to get rid of the excess energy they had to open the tournament.

Analysis:

Team Eskildsen jumped out to an early 6 point lead in the first several minutes as Bruiser established himself in the paint and Ben attacked the rim with success. On the other side of the ball, Team BC took some time to work out the kinks in its offensive game and couldn’t make a shot for several minutes to open the game. Both teams then locked up in an offensive struggle. By halftime, Team BC had gained a 31-29 advantage, but the only players who had asserted themselves were Ben, who was having success getting to the rim and to the line, and Scott Donley, who came in gunning, thinking it couldn’t be a worse idea than anyone else on his team. Team Eskildsen tired quicker than did Team BC, and could have been the reason for victory in the last few minutes. Ultimately, this game should be remembered for how difficult it was to score the ball, how neither team could establish a good rhythm, and how intense the first several minutes of the game were.

Noteworthy Moments:

• Esklidsen gave a completely underwhelming pre-game speech as he basically told us our team was small and less talented than the other team, so let’s try hard.
• Sabin had the worst jump center ever, basically jumping into the other man in a terrible attempt to get up.
• Wes threw Joe’s shit on the first possession as the Doctor completely underestimated Wes’ athletic ability.
• Bruise beasted BC for our team's first points. In a related story, BC wanted no part of that trip down the floor.
• Donley hit his first 2 long shots, then tried to be Dan Majerle for the rest of the tournament.
• I counted 6 airballs in Game 1. That seems like a lot for self-professed, fundamental white players.
• Abe, why do you hurt so many people in PCTI?
• Why do Pitto and DK bring the worst looking shoes to PCTI? Where’s the pride in personal appearance?
• Ben is the only player in PCTI who can play left-handed.
• Joe yelling “Wet!” for making a 3 point shot, while shooting 27% for the weekend, is annoying at best and non-sensical at worst.
• Wes and Pitto gave analysis at halftime that can only be described as incoherent and awkward. No broadcasting future for these two.
• Sabin should have dialed down the pace. In a related story, Pitto visibly cries when I take shots. Our chemistry is strong.

Best Player in Game 1:
Ben Wilson: 27 points, 13 boards, 1 steal, 9-22FGAs with 2 3-pointers, 7-11 FTs, and one spectacular assist.

Honorable Mention:
Josh Stephens: 15 points, 15 boards, 3 triples, 2-2 FTs
Scott Donley: 10 points, 5 boards, 4-8 FGAs, 2-3 3FGAs
Danny Krow: 6 assists, 4 steals, 4 points, 3 boards, no turnovers

Best play:

Ben Wilson drawing 3 defenders and dropping a nifty dime to a cutting AHop along the baseline. Very nice play.

Worst Play:

Pitto dribbling between his legs with no defensive pressure and having the ball kick out of bounds for an unforced turnover.

Worst Shot:

Josh Stephens shot a ball from 27 feet out that grazed harmlessly off the front rim. I know this because I was 7 feet away from him when he shot it, and I had 2 feet above the 3 point line.

Worst stat line:

Wes Murray: 20 minutes, 0 FGAs, 0 FTAs, 0 boards, 0 points, 1 foul, 1 assist, and 1 spectacular block of JT.

In the end, this game will be remembered for being evenly matched, and each team having a chance to win it in the end. It will also be remembered for the lack of shot-making on both sides, some terrible timeout strategies on both sides, and the fact that Josh Stephens continues to needlessly injure PCTI participants.