Fall 2009: C League Champs: The Tribe

Tribe Shocks The CAC With Major Upset Over XJV in East Finals
XJV 55 Tribe 57

The 1998 Vikings. The 2007 Patriots. And now, it's the 2009 Fall XJV roster.

What a heartbreaker for The XJV crew. But still, it took a performance for the ages to beat them and it came from the underrated and big-hearted Tribe team. Scott Nascimento's game winning pull-up jumper from ten feet out with :20 left gave Tribe the winning points in a 57-55 thriller that electrified everyone in the King School on Monday December 14. Still, Tribe led 55-49 with 2:00 only to see XJV tie the game after two clutch free throws from James Kopp and the huge long two from Tom Layman that tied the game with just :35 left (twisted irony here or what? I can't even make that up.) Tribe gave XJV many many opportunities to tie (and to win) this game as missed free throws from SN & JM became an issue. However, two desperate last shots, including a three off transition from Bugbee (with Layman & Kopp both open) hitting an unkind iron with less than :02 to go. Time felt like eternity out there for both teams in this one.

Early on, XJV remembered their slow start last week against Steamboats. They were focused on early as they came out on fire early grabbing a 7-2 lead six and a half minutes into the game. At the start, the XJV took advantage of the slow pace with solid defense. Until, Justin Maldonado hit a crazy fadeaway jumper. Then, Scott nailed a three (which he doesn't have a great percentage). Momentum came right back for Tribe as Justin found Scott on an incredible tricky pass for a lay-up to tie the game at 11-11 with 12:00 left in the first half. Barbuto decided to one-up the tomfoolery with an incredible shake/bake drive to get XJV the lead back. James Kopp brought the scoring hammer on this night. Scott nailed another three to trim the lead, but then super sub Dave Cunha (who played all game with Jimmy DaSilva absent) nails a big three to give Tribe their first lead with 7:00 in the first half.

Scott's deciding to be the man out there even as the youngest pup (just 21) out there as he hits a Shamwow! worthy shot off the drive. Kid's relentless. The Tribe D has stepped up as they take the 20-19 lead off Cunha's 3 into a 28-23 lead at the break. Scott's got 12 and 8 at the break. The shocking stats at the break were XJV's as Ja. Kopp (10), Barbuto (8), and Tommy (5, big three early) were the only ones with any points. Tribe did a good job of getting on the shooters.

XJV showed why they're tough as they made the halftime adjustments. We had an offensive explosion as XJV nabbed 7 points off the break early and suddenly Tribe clung to a 31-30 lead thanks to a Nick Souza three. And then, we had an incredible sequence where Jay Layman finally nails his patented corner three, Scott comes down and banks home an incredible shot on the run, to be followed by another Jay corner three. it was bedlam out there. XJV down 39-37 with 12:00, but playing well. XJV and Tribe kept battling, but Barbuto kept inching XJV to one basket as he kept driving and hitting the shots out there. Tribe somehow did not relinquish the lead until the last minute as they always kept their opponents two points away.

Nascimento did nail two big free throws late to make 51-47. Buto's last drive made it 51-49 with 4:00, but then Justin made an awesome drive. Kid had a monster night as he showcased a penchant for hitting some wild, some lucky, and some clutch shots out there. Tribe had to use their last timeout on a loose ball with 3:00, but it kept the possession arrow in their favor (foreshadowing here). Andrade, the Tribe vet/captain, was a steady hand down the stretch as he called the timeout and then hit two free throws to pad the lead to 55-49 with 2:00. Verge of a major upset here. Still, Tribe shot 7/17 FT from the line as the door stayed open for XJV. Shibley's two free throws made it a four-point game before Kopp and Layman's (the Wes Welker of this contest) plays to tie the game.

What an astounding game. What an incredible crowd. (thanks to ORA, Commitment, Smoked for coming down and watching...we appreciate you guys very much). Tribe pulls off a motherf****** shocker as they roll onto The C League Title Game on 12/21 at King (6:30...come after 6:00 to shoot around). And Tommy Doyle's after the game for everyone's the place to be!!!!

Scores, Box Scores & Write-Ups

Playoff: week 13

Click For Previous Weeks: 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
C 5v5 East Fall 2009 Basketball League