Winter 2013: B2 4v4 League Champs: Wildcat

Wildcat Takes The B2 South Crown Behind Stifling Second Half Defense
Warrior Country 40 Team Wildcat 54

The one and only KAP here happy to be filling in for Capitol P. I agreed to cover for him because I legitimately wanted to see this showdown. The B2 South came to a close tonight with Team Wildcat taking on the top seeded, and slightly favored, Warrior Country. The winner would go on to face the B2 North winner next week in the B2 4v4 unification game.

Before the game started I thought to myself that this would be a very good game. Wildcat and WC were unquestionably two best teams in the South this season, so it was fitting that they should meet in the finals. I also thought JMul would have a huge game as easily the biggest guy on the floor. Hell, I even thought Terry might actually ref a decent game for once. A long shot, I know. 

Right out of the gate the league scoring champ, Marc LeBlanc, went to work, knocking down two triples and setting the tone right away. JMul and BMul each contributed a trey of their own as the long ball was hot early for WC. WC led 12-5 out of the gate and I felt like this could slip away from Wildcat if they didn’t step up on defense and contain the shooters on WC.

Wildcat really is a gritty bunch and they answered the bell in impressive fashion. A 9-3 run gave Wildcat their first lead with 11 minutes to go in the first half as the WC lead was erased just like that. It was a true team effort by Wildcat to get back in the game. Southworth buried a sweet step back 3. Jerome made some TOUGH buckets in the paint over the longer, but softer JMul. McDonough did a nice job getting to the rim and forcing WC to play more defense than they wanted to.

From here on out in the first half, the offense on both sides went dry. The defense on both sides was very stingy and the game was never more than a 2 point contest either way. At the break Wildcat held a slim 22-21 advantage and it was clear we were in for grinder.

Out of the halftime break, Wildcat drew first blood. I am actually drawing a blank on what happened and who did what, but I do know Wildcat led by 6 at the 16 minute mark of the 2^nd half. It appeared to be slipping away from WC just a bit at this point, but LeBlanc wouldn’t allow it. LeBlanc knocked down 2 treys, one that hit every single part of the rim and found a way to drop. At this point in the game (14 minute mark) LeBlanc was 4/5 from deep and was really having a nice game for himself on a night when the rest of his team was off to say the least (THREES: LeBlanc 4/7, Rest of Team 3/15). 

The game was tied at 31, with 14 minutes to play and this had the feel of an instant classic. Kevin wasn’t sensing that feeling though (no way I am taking the time to write that last name!). First of all, Kevin was pretty quiet all game long, not looking for his shot, and sort of just coasting along. I think he is the best player on Wildcat…when he wants to be. At the 14 minute mark though, Kevin wanted to be. He went into hero mode, driving to the rim and converting tough layups, knocking down mid-range jumpers and even a DEEP 3. Kevin singlehandedly took this game over from the 14 minute mark to the 8 minute mark. That was the key stretch of the game right there. 

On another note, Kevin’s defense on LeBlanc was stellar. For the last 14 minutes of the 2^nd half, LeBlanc could not get a single good look. Kevin really amped up the defense and really made life tough for LeBlanc. I knew someone else on WC would have to step up on offense, but it never happened.

Wildcat led by 9 with 8 minutes to play and this felt like a huge lead in this type of game. The offense went cold for WC, due to the defense of Wildcat and the simple fact that WC couldn’t hit shots when they were needed. Where did the Mul’s go!?

Down the stretch, WC played the foul game, but McDonough was perfect at the FT line in the clutch. WC couldn’t overcome the Kevin onslaught in the end and I have to say I am somewhat shocked at how this one turned out. Tied at 31 with 14 minutes to go and Wildcat wins by 14!? Crazy. What I do know is that Wildcat played great defense in the second half, limiting WC to only 18 points. That isn’t going to get it done.

Congrats to Wildcat on winning the South. I will admit it took me this long to actually respect these guys but I will give credit when it’s due. Well done. The journey is not done though! Wildcat will have a tough game next week against the B2 North winner for a chance to take home the lucrative B2 4v4 title!

Some other thoughts…

1. Sundell left at halftime for WC. This was a huge development. WC really needed his defense on the perimeter against a guard-heavy Wildcat squad.

2. Ethan Robert quietly had an excellent game. He had a really nice offensive rebound put back and hit two outside shots. In a game like this all those little things add up. Very impressed with his performance in limited minutes.

3. Not enough JMul. Easily the best big man in the league simply got pushed around by Jerome, the 2^nd best big man in the league. JMul needed to be more physical in the post and not give up so easily on the move he was making.

4. Terry reffed a great game! Really solid effort by him actually had me praising the ref. Who would have thought? I think he maybe missed 1 or 2 calls all game. That’s pretty damn good.

5. B2 South Finals MVP: Kevin – Easy choice here. Put Wildcat on his back in the second half with some great offense and defense.

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B2 South W13 Basketball League