WESTMINSTER, CO: Week 7 Recap | Things become a little more clear

The top of the playoff picture has become a lot more clear after week seven in Westminster. The top two seeds have been locked up and we know who the top four teams will be. After that, it gets a little more complicated.

Long Shots - 66 VS. The Bad Boys - 64

The closest game of the night was also the lowest scoring. Top teams Long Shots and The Bad Boys went head to head to start off week 7 of Ultimate Hoops. It was a close match for the majority of the game. The Long Shots fell behind by 12 points at the most at one point in time but more than made up for it with quick spurts of offense. Good defense by The Bad Boys held team leader and leader of point production, Derek Elliot, who finished with only 9 points and 9 rebounds. Blake Mahler of The Bad Boys swarmed Elliot with defense and heavy denial resulting in keeping the Long Shots beast at bay. Instead Peter Howell (14 points)and Zach Sanders (18 points) took point in putting up good numbers for the team to lead them to victory. Mahler of the Bad Boys led with 27 points and 11 rebounds, the only double-double of the night for them, closely followed by Carlos Matos who kept the Bad Boys on pace and controlled the tempo. This leaves The Long Shots in good position giving them a lead record of 6-1 trailing the undefeated IMPACT while Bad Boys fall to a respectable 5-2.

Purple Cobras - 82 VS. The Gladiators - 72

A much needed win by the Purple Cobras over The Gladiators advanced them to a record of 3-4 Tuesday night. A fairly close game throughout both halves, but it seemed as though with only 5 players The Gladiators lacked the depth that it needed to cover Purple Cobras. Dominating the glass and shooting 41% from beyond the arc, the Gladiators put up a good fight but ultimately fell short of picking up their second win of the season. Gladiators fall to 1-6 and are struck down by the Purple Cobras. Josh Graffam and Josh Medina both finish with 24 points each for the Cobras while Marcus Jimenez led The Gladiators with 25 points.

Medicinal Mambas - 116 VS. Eat, Sleep, Ball, Repeat - 70

An absolutely dominating performance by the Medicinal Mambas gave Eat, Sleep, Ball, Repeat a rough awakening as to the type of teams that will be battling for the top spot come playoffs. Unable to compete with the Mamba’s quick offensive transitions and passing game not to mention lack of height, ESBR fell more than 40 points to the Medicinal Mambas. Absolutely dominating the glass 54-31 and shooting an impressive 61% from the field and 53% from beyond the arc the Mambas were far too much for ESBR to handle. Ruben Rivas led the Mambas with 28 points closely followed by sharp shooter Dylan Vandenend (27 points) and newer addition Marvin Augustin (23 points) a well-rounded performance by all players from the Mamba’s eft ESBR simply unable to compete. When the Medicinal Mamba’s play together with a sense of cohesiveness and urgency and have their entire squad present, they are tough contenders for a top spot in this league.

Ciroc Boyz - 101 VS. Life Time Legends - 96

Ciroc Boyz came out on top verse the Life Time Legends tonight in one of the final games of week 7. Chris Morgan had an incredible performance leading his team to victory with 40 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Richard Peterson threw in 27 points along with Omar Juarez who finished with 20 himself. An aggressive offensive trio was too much for the Legends to handle, Andrew Martin was able to put up 32 points followed by Josh Gabbord’s 29, but it wasn’t enough to stop Morgan and his squad. Ciroc Boyz advance to 5-2 and continue to show that they will be among the top teams to finish this season. The Life Time Legends look to get their second win of the season as the final week approaches.

IMPACT Basketball - 117 VS. LT Ballers - 69

An expected outcome to finish the night came as IMPACT stole yet another W, this time from free agent team LT Ballers. Unable to answer to such a solid and skilled team, LT Ballers respectively never gave up and battled until the very end. Team leader Beau Barney finished with a league high of 47 points for the night and 13 rebounds giving him a double-double for the night. Mark Roehr dominated with 32 points going 71% from the field followed by solid performances by Rob Dobson and Jake Stewart as well. The Ballers never once rolled over for IMPACT but unfortunately fall to 1-5 on the season.