PCTI XII Game 7 - Sabin's Analysis

 Recap Game 7

Game 7 is in the books.

Guts. Glory. Disappointment. Exaltation. Injury. Attrition. Relief. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. This game had it all. While it may not go down as the best technical game ever played, it certainly has a chance to be remembered as the most competitive. The Bullies survive a triple OT thriller and win 57-55 on the strength of a championship-level play by Biz with 5 seconds to go. The Biz steal-and-layup will be remembered not just as a series-clinching moment, but as one of the all-time clutch plays in our history. Let me take you through a brief chronology of events that preceded his play:

1) Regulation - Tied at 46, Juice takes a wide open 3 from the corner with 30 seconds to go that just misses, followed by a missed runner from Abe and a missed putback from TP at the buzzer. Any of these shots wins the tourney. 

2) 1st OT - Boxes up 49-47 with 20 seconds to go. Biz gets a huge offensive rebound and assist to TP to tie the score. Abe fouls Sabin with 6 seconds to go. Sabin chunks the front end and misses a chance to win the tourney. BC has a chance to win at the buzzer with a long runner but misses. Juice is injured and cannot continue.

3) 2nd OT - Kyle and Biz exchange FTs and account for the only scoring. Tied 50-50, Donley has a 3 ball to win, but misses followed by a Sabin halfcourt heave that is straight but long. Abe is injured and cannot continue.

4) 3rd OT - Kyle’s and-1 gives the Boxes a 53-50 lead, followed by a huge triple from Aubrey to tie it. Spot gets a layup, followed by another Biz offensive rebound to BC putback. Boxes have the final possession, but Biz steals it at halfcourt and converts the layup with 2 seconds to go. Spot gets a decent look from 3 that is just wide at the buzzer.

What a game. What a series. What a finish to an incredible weekend. BC said it best….”I thought we lost it 2 or 3 times, and somehow we won. You guys probably felt the same way.” Not sure how this happens, but these PCTI events just keep getting better. Im already looking forward to Tahoe.

Analysis:

1) Somehow, the Bullies shoot 30% from the field and 20% from distance and still win this game. Look no further than offensive boards, where the Bullies earn their moniker by bashing the Boxes 17-6. This gives them 5 more shot attempts and 8 more free throws in a game that quite literally goes down to the final possession.

2) While there were several heroic efforts in this game, it really was a clash of two titans. Kyle drops a 29-8 while playing EVERY MINUTE of day 3. Meanwhile Abe goes for 18 points and makes several HUGE shots coming down the stretch to keep his team it. I’ve run out of superlatives to describe these two. Just two elite players leading their teams.

3) Fatigue matters. Boxes shoot 3-18 from deep for 17%, while Bullies shoot 4-20 from distance for 20%. Shooting while tired is damn near impossible. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…These games come down to who makes layups and who makes triples.

4) Props to everybody that gave their all in this tournament. This series brought down Dawson in game 4, then got the best conditioned athlete in game 7, then further claimed the Secretariat in overtime. And still, both teams soldiered on toward the final outcome. One of my favorite moments is watching both teams hug each BEFORE game 7 as if to say, “I’m sorry that one of these teams has to lose.” Both teams had a chance to win this event, and both teams gave all of themselves. Like BC said “I’m just spent.”

️ ️ ️ of the Game:

1) Huck - Goes for 29 and 8 with 2 assists and a block on 11-17 FGAs and 6-8 FTAs. It was feared early on that Kyle shouldn’t be a part of PCTI because he was too good. This game and his overall series just fucking confirmed it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dan tries to kick him out this off-season. What a fucking magnificent performance and player. And one of PCTI’s best dudes. 

2) Abe - On 2 bad feet, he uncorks his best game of the series with 18 points, 2 boards, 2 assists, and 1 block on 7-17 FGAs and 3-4 FTAs. Made several huge shots at the end of regulation to keep his team from defeat. PCTI’s most-decorated player shows you why he is still a premium player in this event.

3) Biz - While not his top statistical performance, the quality of the plays he made in OT earn him a spot here. 5 points, 11 boards, 4 offensive, 4 assists, and 2 steals. 2 ENORMOUS offensive rebounds in OT that lead to points for TP and BC. And a series-clinching bucket that will go down in PCTI folklore as one of the best and most clutch plays ever made. Respect.