This is why I love TBT. This is why I love the ELAM. This is why I love basketball. What’s not to love In this action packed tournament this year. Plus this Wichita region was probably one of the best I’ve seen in TBT in their 8 years. Two heart stopping, heart breaking, amazing games just went down in TBT history tonight.
Drive vs TNT
In the first of the Wichita Double Header we had the hottest team Eberlein Drive going to battle with arguable the second hottest team in the tournament TNT. In the first half the Drive continued their momentum from the Stillwater demolishing by opening up the contest hot as ever. Their ball movement was excellent. Marquis Teague with drive after drive. Florida started off really cold trying to light their own fuse while the Drive’s Archie Goodwin made a case as the tourney’s MVP. TNT was held to just 31% shooting in the first half. The Drive’s reserves even contributed with 12 bench points as Florida’s bench contributed zero. The result was TNT having to climb out of a 15 point hole at the end of the half.
In the second half the momentum started to shift as the air was slowing being let out of the Drive’s tires. Their shooting was flat. It seemed like the Drive were falling asleep at the wheel with the E break on. The shots that they were knocking down in the first seemed to rim out in the 2nd. TNT’s Kenny Boynton was going off. But the key player for Florida that helped light their own fire was Brandon Robinson. The Drive’s Trevelin Queen was trying to stop their drought as their wheels were slowing coming off. Both teams were even matching 3 pointers at one point. But in the end it whas Warren with the ELAM winner to get them across the finish line first. Heartbreaking loss for Eberlein who seemed have been doing everything right this year deserving of that number 1 seed. But the world knows now that TNT is for real and is taking that 5th slap to the face to heart. They are on a mission…
AfterShocks vs Team Challenge ALS
Now just as your heart rate starts to go back down to normal after watching the TNT/Drive game, you get ready for the night cap between the AfterShocks and ALS. The feel good game of two TBT Power houses. One fighting for a great cause and the other fighting for a great community. The atmosphere in Charles Koch Arena tonight rivaled that of any final 4 game in the NCAAs. They were matching blow for blow with neither of them giving ground in the first 2 quarters. The Aftershocks David Dileo who was non existent in games 1 and 2 finally found his stroke hitting 3 of 4 three pointers for the game. Youtube star D’Vontay Friga for ALS got into the mix hitting his very first TBT 3 pointer.
Both teams started to get fatigued in the second half. Most of these guys who have been playing overseas is used to only playing 1 game a week, unlike in the NBA and a grueling TBT tourney. So cramping and achy joints start to take it’s toll in playing 3 games in 5 days. ALS couldn’t find anyone to step up after floor general Marvelle Harris went down with an apparent injury. The Shock were struggling to find a hero who could make a shot as well. As the ELAM was set both teams squandered opportunities. ALS was running out of gas as nobody could get a solid look at a game winning 3 pointer. Every languid possession resulting in turnovers or bad shots. The Shocks not doing any better missing opportunities of their own. But in the end of the ELAM is when legends are made. So this games fitting winning ELAM shot was by Wichita’s very own living Legend Connor Frankamp doing his best Jimmy Chitwood impersonation “I’ll Make it”…
Best game of the day?
Can’t just pick one. Both were epic battles
Biggest surprise of the day?
Eberlein running out of gas
Moment worth remembering?
Frankamp’s Crowd thundering ELAM winning three pointer
What player earned his trip the the E&J Brandy lounge?
Frankamp and Warren
One big thing looking ahead?
Now that both TNT and Aftershock will have time to rest the Elite 8 matchup is a must see.
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Allan Cunanan is the GM of West Coast Ronin, a veteran team in The Basketball Tournament. While we look forward to the Ronin playing in TBT 2022, we at thematchupzone.com are pleased to have him on board for TBT 2021 as a guest analyst.