ZG Beast of the East - Event Recap
The second full week of Zero Gravity’s Path to the Belt brought another installment of exhilarating championship games on Sunday.
In the Varsity National Division title game, Team Massachusetts came out on top against a scrappy and hard-working Brockton Reign Elite squad. In what was a low scoring, grind it out type of game, Team Massachusetts pulled off the victory in large part due to their ability to handle Brockton’s defensive pressure down the stretch of the second half. They were composed with their decision making, took good care of the ball, and found themselves with open looks both from behind the arc and inside the paint as a result. To seal the deal, Team Massachusetts was able to collectively knock down free-throws in the final moments.
Three ball after three ball led to a comfortable 10th grade American Division championship win by the New England Blizz over Rise Above. It was an even game midway through the first half until the Blizz went on a run by moving the ball extremely well and making the unselfish play to pass up a good shot for a great one. After this run extended the lead to double digits the Blizz continued to play smart basketball and were never in jeopardy of having the lead slip away.
Playing their style of play for 32 minutes, the Baystate Jaguars earned the 9th grade American Division title over a skilled Rise Above team. Utilizing the pick and roll to create opportunities for the guards to make plays proved to help the Jaguars immensely as their guard play was exceptional in their championship run this weekend. The forwards did a very good job of being ready for the pass and finishing around the rim with both hands, which made the Jaguars a serious threat to score on all levels on offense.
Key Players:
Chibita Ihunwo 5’10 2019- An athletic guard, Ihunwo impressed this weekend with his blazing speed and ability to get by the first defender and elevate quickly when attacking the hoop.
Eldon Terry 2019 6’6- This forward dominated the paint this weekend, especially on the defensive end, as he seemed to either block or alter just about every shot attempted around the rim.
Jaeden Greenleaf 2022 5’9- The young guard played in attack mode while still being efficient with his bounces and simultaneously showed an abilityto make tough shots from the perimeter.
Jaymori Leonard 2022 5’9- Leonard used both his quickness and length to impact the game on both ends. He was a menace on the defensive end and a very talented slasher on offense.
Trevor Mullin 2023 5’8- Mullin showed this weekend that he has the complete offensive package for a point guard displaying his handles, jump shot, and leadership in a championship run for his program.
Thatcher Stone 2020 6’7- One of the most athletic players in the field this weekend, Stone played above the rim in transition but also showed consistent three-point range as well as a complimenting pull-up game.
Cam Schainfeld 2021 5’10- Playing under control in every game this weekend, Schainfeld had very few turnovers and put his teammates in positions to score with his ability to draw multiple defenders and then find the open man.
Michael Bourne 2021 5’8- A tough as nails guard, Bourne showed his ability to shoot well beyond the three-point line, create contact in the lane and finish over taller defenders.
Renard Fontes 2020 5’10- Fontes was in attack mode all weekend long, drawing fouls and finishing tough layups at the rim to help his team reach the title game.
Scott Lampron 2019 6’1- A scorer on all levels, Scott displayed high level three point shooting by knocking down shots with defenders guarding him closely. When defenses would close out hard he would be able to drive and finish with both hands at the rim.
Noah Cummings 2019 6’1- A steady point guard with a smooth jump shot, Cummings was a matchup nightmare for teams this weekend using his length to finish drives and get in passing lanes on defense.
Jaden Hill 2022 5’4- Hill may be undersized but what he lacks in height he makes up for in toughness. He got his team out in transition and created offense from his defense and was also an underrated finisher at the rim.
Hayden Peterson 2019 6’3- Peterson helped lead his team to a championship by asserting himself in the paint. He was a crafty finisher with both hands and also an excellent rebounder who did an excellent job of using his body to rebound on both ends of the floor.
Josh Gilbert 2019 5’10- Gilbert used his speed to get into the paint at will, draw the defense in, and then make the extra pass to find his teammates for open shots.
Karim Belhouchet 2021 5’10- The sophomore guard was a lights-out shooter who stretched the floor and then showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and create space against longer, taller defenders.
Sean Brickley 2020 5’10- This floor general did a superb job of running his team all weekend. He may not have scored a whole lot but certainly proved to be one of the more important pieces to his team’s recent success.
Travis Finfrock 2020 6’1- FInfrock had a monster Sunday with two straight games of 4 threes or more. His range goes well beyond the three-point line as well as knocking down clutch free throws late in games.
Noah Cummings