WESTMINSTER, CO: Week 7 Recap | The IMPACT has been made

In the final week of the regular season, one matchup stood out above the rest. Unfortunately, that game was more about hype than it was about quality basketball. Playoff positioning was on the line and two teams separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Here are your week seven results.

White Iversons - 107 The Tropics - 75

The Tropics, desperate to snap their 3 game losing streak, took on one of the top teams in the league, White Iversons. The Tropics, being a free agent team with an inconsistent roster that changes from week to week, were unable to contain the White Iverson’s aggressive style of play. The Tropics played a solid first half that put them only trailing by 11 at half time, but were unable to contain the “hit them downhill” mentality of The White Iversons. The Tropics couldn’t connect on their 40 shot attempts from beyond the arc to close the gap.
It’s no question that The White Iversons are one of the most athletic and aggressive teams in the league that not only can put up numbers from beyond the arc, but they’re also great at using their athleticism to keeps defenders honest and on their toes with constant downhill penetration to the basket. Derek Elliot with a team high 43 points as well as Patrick Dudley and Zach Sanders all finished with a double double in points and rebounds. With almost the entire roster scoring in double digits this game, The White Iversons are assured to be one of the top contenders for the title as we head into Playoffs.


The Bad Boys - 106 Havoc - 76

In their first game of the night, The Bad Boys seemed to make quick work of Havoc as soon as they hit the hardwood floor. The first half ended with The Bad Boys up 58-16. However, credit is due as Havoc scored 60 of their total 76 points in the second half alone. However it was The Bad Boy’s strong transition game that really hurt Havoc’s effort in taking them down. The Bad Boys really capitalized on the defensive efforts and the rebounding of Reggie Jackson who was quick to advance the ball and create transition buckets. Bad Boy Matt Rice was able to score a good chunk of his game high 24 points on transition buckets alone. Both teams ended with almost identical stat sheets in terms of shot attempts, but it was The Bad Boys who were consistent in execution. It just might have been a much closer game has Havoc played better in the first half, you can’t say they didn’t have a shot at taking down The Bad Boys.


Eat, Sleep, Ball, Repeat - 89 The Kardashians - 86

The Kardashians fell to ESBR in their final game of the regular season. This was a very important game for both teams who came in with a record of 4-3. A fairly close game throughout the first half only grew closer as both teams aimed to secure a much needed win to improve their standings for Playoffs. The Kardashians did a good job of penetrating holes in ESBR’s defense and getting to the rim where they were able to get easy buckets from the free throw line. Their usual efforts from behind the arc were unmatched but the lack of discipline when it came to boxing out and snagging rebounds really hurt them. ESBR ultimately hit more shots and won the battle of the boards by almost 20. Tension grew stronger as the countdown began, with both teams defense giving its best efforts, it was a foul committed at the very end by The Kardashians that gave ESBR all it needed to get the edge on them. The foul allowed ESBR a 3 point lead that ultimately led to the defeat The Kardashians with only 5.6 seconds left in the game. Team favorite Chris Morgan of The Kardashians pushed the ball up the court with 4 seconds left on the clock and launched an impressive 3 point attempt that had ESBR and the rest of the gym holding their breath. Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to take the game into OT. ESBR escapes with the win against The Kardashians and secures better positioning in the playoffs.


IMPACT Basketball - 102 The Gladiators - 67

The Leaders of the league, IMPACT, cruised by The Gladiators in their first game of the night. IMPACT is the most fundamentally sound and well-rounded team in the league; this showed in their game against in The Gladiators. All players, including starters as well as their bench, ended the game with scoring in double digit efforts that were led by power house Beau Barney finishing with a team high 21. His teammates weren’t far behind; this shows how well rounded IMPACT really is. The Gladiators just didn’t seem to have the size, stamina, nor the athletic capabilities to grind it out with the undefeated team. Jake Morin from The Gladiators gave an admirable performance in the key as well as beyond the arc where he had a hot hand in the second half; Jake ended with a team high 21 points and 9 rebounds he showed no fear going against whoever IMPACT threw at him.

IMPACT- 98 The Bad Boys - 68

In the final game of the night, and the matchup that everyone has been waiting for, The Bad Boys took on IMPACT for what would be the second game of the night for both teams. IMPACT came out of the gates strong and held a lead as high as 15 points in the first half. The Bad Boys were able to chip away and cut that lead to single digits going into the half. The Bad Boys had size advantage down low but didn’t capitalize on the mismatches that they had against IMPACT. Big man Reggie Jackson at 6’8 plays is playing the role of a power forward position for The Bad Boys; often times advancing the ball up the floor all on his own. With Reggie and Matthew Lloyd The Bad Boys could have gone to work inside but played a less than strategic game instead. The notorious bothersome defense that The Bad Boys are known for didn’t seem to bother IMPACT. Unlike many other teams throughout the league who have fallen vulnerable to frustration caused by The Bad Boys, IMPACT stayed cool, calm, and collected when it came to the aggression and mind games The Bad Boys are known for. Whereas many teams have faced obstacles in handling the rogue aggressors, IMPACT only seemed to grow stronger as a unit. Beau Barney had a team high 32 points followed by Mark Roehr who made his own impression slicing and dicing through The Bad Boys defense ending with a double double, 23 points 12 rebounds.

IMPACT did a great job finding holes within the defense and attacking them head on, they incorporated great ball rotation and waited for The Bad Boys to give them opportunities rather than forcing unnecessary shots or drives. With what was expected to be a 44 minute battle between the best, turned out to be the cherry on top for IMPACT’s perfect season in league play. Although the game was closer than the ending score suggests, IMPACT stays on top and ends undefeated. Perhaps these two teams will meet again in the Playoffs and The Bad Boys can draw up a different game plan that will prove more effective against the 8-0 squad.