WESTMINSTER, CO: Playoffs | Eight is great, but four is more

The Westminster summer season was as competitive as it's ever been, and the playoffs were no different. Not a single team had a losing record; only one team was undefeated; and one game went in to not one, not two, not three, but four overtimes. Here's how the first round of the playoffs went down.

The Kardashians - 85 Long Shots - 80

This was a great, four-five matchup on Tuesday night. These two teams squared off in week two and The Kardashians squeaked out a four point victory. Not only were the Long Shots looking for revenge, but they were looking to earn a birth in the eight team state playoffs this weekend. The Long Shots started the game on fire, and quickly built up a double digit lead throughout the first half. The Kardashians were very frustrated in the opening half because of missed shots they normally make and, quite frankly, some very poor officiating. The Kardashians were able to get a few stops and make a few baskets late in the first half to go in to the break trailing by a very manageable six points.

The Kardashians made a Bruce Jenner-like transformation in the second half, as they started moving the ball with a purpose, played much tougher defense and were knocking down the open shot. On the flip side, the Long Shots went in the opposite direction, as turnovers and quick shots led to empty possessions. It also didn't help that they were playing without a bench, so you'd have to question the energy of the Long Shots down the stretch in this game. In the end, The Kardashians made their free throws and were able to walk away with a five point victory on the night. Kenneth Choi played a large part in the victory, scoring 27 points that included a perfect ten for ten from the charity stripe. For the Long Shots, Derek and Brad Elliott combined to score 47 points on the night.

The Kardashians won the game, but unfortunately, won't be able to field a team for the state playoffs. Instead, the Long Shots will take their place on Saturday in Centennial.

Scorgasm - 75 Bro Science Life - 72 (4OT)

If you called this the game of the night, or even the game of the season, you'd be doing this game an injustice. Calling it the game of 2015 would still be underselling it. This was the best game I've seen in my tenure with Ultimate Hoops. It's not often, if ever, you say that about the one-eight matchup. It's fair to say that these are two of the more veteran-laden squads in Westminster Ultimate Hoops. These teams are very familiar with each other and all of the players in this game have combined for 10,547 seasons of Ultimate Hoops (don't check my math.) Both of these teams brought five guys to the game, which played a factor once the overtimes hit. But that didn't stop this from being an instant classic.

Bro Science Life came out fired up, as they weren't happy with being the eight seed. Their anger showed up on the court, in a very productive way, in the first half, as they raced out to a 37-28 lead at the break. At the start of the second half, it looked to be more of the same as Bro Science Life built a 15 point lead early in the second. That's when Beau Barney decided to take over. Mr. Consistent took his team on his back and led them to a monstrous comeback in the second half. Scorgasm brought the game all the way back to take it to overtime.

In the first overtime, each team traded baskets, but couldn't get a lead of more than two, as the game headed in to a second overtime. In the second overtime, you could start to see the lack of bench starting to affect each team, as shots they normally make weren't falling, and play got a little sloppy. Much like the first overtime, neither team could pull away, as a third overtime was on the horizon. The third overtime brought some excitement to the court. With a one point lead, Timothy Griffin of Bro Science Life, hit a huge three that looked to be the dagger and send BSL to the state playoffs. Scorgasm had other ideas, and hit a couple of clutch shots and made some stops on defense to send the game to the fourth overtime. The fourth overtime was the finale in this one. Bro Science Life only scored one point and their last second heave to send it to a fifth overtime was off the mark, sending undefeated Scorgasm to the state playoffs. Beau Barney led all scorers with 35 points and Joe Halter led Bro Science Life with 19.

Splash City - 95 Big Trouble in Lil Westy - 70

The core of the former champs, Hard Work, took on the team from Centennial in this two-seven matchup. The first half was as entertaining as it gets, with both teams matching bucket for bucket and ending on a buzzer beater from Ruben Rivas to send the game in to the second half 36-35.

The second half couldn't have been more different, which was a very good thing for Splash City. Splash City almost seemed possessed in the final half, putting up a whopping 60 points, to send the game to a blowout. For Big Trouble in Lil Westy, it was more of the same; inconsistent play with one half looking different than the other.

It was a typical night for Splash City, having no players score fewer than 13 points with Rivas leading the way with 33. Shane Jensen continued his tear of late, leading Big Trouble with 26 points. Splash City advances to the state playoffs.

FireSquad - 71 The Bad Boys - 56

FireSquad found themselves sitting at 7-0 on the season, controlling their own fate going in to the playoffs. But a week eight loss not only cost them the number one seed, but it dropped them down to a three, where they saw themselves facing The Bad Boys, who have been known to go on runs in the playoffs.

The Bad Boys jumped out to an early 8-0 start, but Richard Peterson hit eight straight points, including two three pointers, to tie the game back up. Neither team was able to put together more than a six point lead in the first half, as the teams were tied at 31 heading in to the break.

As FireSquad has done so many times this season, they poured it on in the second half. This is, by far, the youngest team in Ultimate Hoops Westminster, and they can basically throw their shoes on and go play, unlike a guy like me that needs a minimum of ten days to warm up for a 44 minute game. FireSqaud's energy and tenacious defense in the second half propelled them to a comfortable 71-56 victory, to send them to the state playoffs. Peterson led all scorers with 26 points while Matt Rice had 19 for The Bad Boys.

The state playoffs begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday. We hope to see you there.