WESTMINSTER, CO: Week 4 Recap | When three becomes two

Week four of Ultimate Hoops was a solid week of basketball in Westminster. Two of the three undefeated teams squared off while two teams were able to pick up their first wins of the season.

LONG SHOTS - 66 VS. PURPLE COBRAS - 50

The Long Shots picked up their 4th straight win of the season against The Purple Cobras. Although the Cobras won the battle of the boards 47-39, they committed 15 personal fouls to Long Shots’ 5. Shooting over 50% from the field The Long Shots proved again to be a top contender in this league. Derek Elliot recorded yet another double-double with a team high 20 points and 11 rebounds. Long Shots took the lead early ending the half 34-18, The Purple Cobras picked up their pace in the second half but had dug themselves too deep of a hole to recover from. The Cobras drop to an even record of 2-2.


CIROC BOYZ - 100 VS. EAT, SLEEP, BALL, REPEAT - 92

ESBR drops to an unfortunate 0-4 Tuesday night in a tight game against Ciroc Boyz. With an impressive offensive effort by Alfredo Garcia, team leader of 36 points, Ciroc Boyz were too aggressive for ESBR to get under control. Ciroc Boyz spread the defense with their great ability to hit shots beyond the arc. Finishing with 40% beyond the arc, Ciroc Boyz made ESBR work on defense. Playing a tight zone, ESBR struggled communicating with shooters and outside screens used to get Garcia’s hot hand covered. Garcia shot 50% from behind the arc making 10-19 attempts as well as finishing almost 60% from the field, he led the team with 36 points and 11 rebounds recording an impressive double-double in their win against ESBR. If the Ciroc Boyz continue to spread the defense and utilize their ability to shoot from the outside as well as drive hard to the basket there is no doubt they will be a top 3 contender this year.


IMPACT BASKETBALL - 72 VS. THE BAD BOYS - 59

In what was predicted to be the most interesting game of the night, UH Fall Champions IMPACT took on The Bad Boys. Both coming together as undefeated squads before Tuesday night’s games. The Bad Boys picked up their first loss of the season as the reigning champions remained undefeated. It was a very close game going into halftime, with Bad Boys only down by one point at halftime IMPACT really needed to step it up. The Bad Boys are a very dangerous team to keep hanging around for too long. With Beau Barney recording a season low of only 11 points, teammate Jimmy Binnie picked up the slack by recording a double-double with a team high 28 points and 12 rebounds. With a clear height advantage, IMPACT stole the show later in the second half. Putting up almost twice as many points at Bad Boys did in the second half IMPACT sealed the deal and will continue to remain undefeated.

LIFE TIME LEGENDS - 76 VS. LT BALLERS - 61

Both free agents faced off in week 4 of the winter season. Both teams playing with limited benches continued with the close games going into half that seemed to be the trend this week. Andrew Martin led the Life Time Legends with 34 points and 10 rebounds, followed closely by Paul Grosshuesch (25 points) and Scott Capser (15 points). Down by only one at half, LT Ballers struggled handling the size of Life Time Legends ultimately losing the battle of the boards 40-24. With almost two times as many rebounds as LT Ballers and almost twice as many second chance opportunities on offense LT Ballers didn’t give themselves the best chance to come out on top. Ultimately sealing the deal later in the first half, LT Ballers fell to 1-2 for the season.

MEDICINAL MAMBAS - 88 VS. THE GLADIATORS - 67

Gladiators fell to an unfortunate 0-4 Tuesday night as Medicinal Mambas gave an impressive collective performance. A new team with great pieces, the Mambas are beginning to find their rhythm and gel as a TEAM, rather than a group of talented individuals. The Gladiators despite their entire collective effort fell short going through a dry spell in the middle of the second half. Although they won the battle of the boards and had more than twice as many second chance opportunities as the mambas did, The Gladiators had a difficult time connecting with the rim. Big man Kyle Norman led The Gladiators with a double- double, 14 points and 15 rebounds. The Gladiators defense couldn’t stop the drive and dish offense that the Medicinal Mambas utilize. Slow feet and poor communication on defense were the ultimate nails in the coffin for The Gladiators. They fall to 0-4 for the season as Medicinal Mambas go 1-2 picking up their first win.