Here we are again... the lull of PCTI offseason. I hope this is a shot in the arm, provides some ammo for shit talking, and boosts the excitement for XII. This year seems like we had more people get a least 1 vote than year's past. It was also very balanced for how many players from each team got a vote, which shows how even the match up was. I'll start with those that didn't make the cut.
Missed The Cut
Sabin - 1 vote (1 AT)
I thought Sabin played great, but didn't think it was better than the people who made all tournament. The masses tend to agree.
Joe - 1 vote (1 AT)
Not enough love for the Doc? Guess we should open the voting up to TikTok!
AHOP - 2 votes (1 D-MVP, 1 AT)
The most deserving person on the list that didn't make it. They got it wrong this year, plain and simple.
DK - 3 votes (3 D-MVP)
Dan deserves a lot of respect for his defensive efforts. Other parts of his game probably suffer due to the fact he puts so much energy on D. Didn't get him an award this year but will most likely always be in the conversation.
Juice - 9 votes (3 D-MVP, 6 AT)
Godon has had some solid performances in the past but this may have been his best year. Juice's stats weren't jumping off the page but his energy did. In a weekend that requires high energy players for success, he was constantly running, chasing loose balls, and giving everything he had on the defensive end. Barely missed an All-Tourney selection. Maybe next year...
Now for the actual awards! Starting with MVP, then Defensive MVP, and finish with the 3 All Tournament players. All played great this weekend and well deserved!
MVP
Kyle - 16 votes (15 MVP, 1 AT)
One of the hesitations to add Kyle to PCTI was that he is too good. Clearly he has proven why. Just some fun facts on Kyle in his first 3 years:
- Averaging 17.9 PPG (3.5 more than 2nd place), 7 RPG (3rd highest among active)
- 2 MVPs (other than Abe, no one else has more than 1), 1 All Tournament
- 12 wins, 8 losses (60% win pct is highest out of all active players)
- 2 consecutive tournament wins as a captain
- Most importantly 3 and 0 in tournaments. 3 wins in a row is hard for anyone, much less the key player for the team. Congrats on another MVP!
Defensive MVP
TP - 11 votes (8 D-MVP, 3 AT)
It is wild to think that the primary guy the D-MVP was guarding just won MVP but TP deserved it. He had 23 STOCKS (16! steals + 7 blocks) and led the tournament in rebounds. He goes out harder than anyone and still has as much energy as my kid when I tell him we can watch Paw Patrol. He had the best highlight of the weekend with his absolute beating of Kyle's fast break layup. This award probably pales in comparison to being officially added to the QuadPod. What a weekend for TP!
All Tournament
Spot -11 votes (11 AT)
Anyone that saw the competition in England Spot was playing knew that the prep was there. He struggled day 1 (assuming due to jet lag) but then he took off! The last 5 games he average 11 PPG on 47% shooting (52% from 3!!). Spotlight adds to his trophy case as he was All-Tournament back in PCTIV. Is he going to be a constant in PCTI Award SZN or will it be one every 5 years? Next year could be the biggest indicator.
BC - 12 votes (12 AT)
Day 1 he was quiet but then was solid the rest of the tournament. Game 4 he put his team on his back and had 21 of Switchbladez 52 points. BC does a little bit of everything and this is his 4th straight year winning a PCTI Award. Can he carry that momentum to being MVP in PCTIXII, which would be his first since PCTI I?!
Abe - 14 votes (1 MVP, 1 D-MVP, 12 AT)
The most decorated player in PCTI history gains another award! Abe has been MVP or AT 9 out of 11 years (4 MVPs, 5 AT) which is just phenomenal. This guy is a workhorse and someone the other team has to game plan for. With Kyle coming in and establishing himself as the best player in PCTI, Abe is now 0-2 when he and Kyle are on separate teams. How will that narrative play out of the next few years?
Congrats to all those who won an award! Hopefully everyone enjoys the holidays and then turns their attention to what's most important... PCTITWELVE!!
