Rain may have cut last Friday’s [July 8] games short, but last night [Monday, July 11] basketball returned to Monsignor Kett Playground for the Dyckman Summer League.
It was a beautiful night for basketball under the lights, and the first game of the night did not disappoint. Stay Strong Entertainment, sporting their orange jerseys, took on R2K, who had on black jerseys.
Lil Bibby was in the stands for this game, and Maino also made an appearance once the game got started.
Stay Strong’s Barbosa faced-off against R2K’s Malcolm Grant all night, and Grant definitely came out on top in the individual match up. R2K were sluggish in the beginning, but before long they took a strong lead and they weren’t looking back. Malcolm had his defenders on skates, ripping crossovers all over the court and draining 3s.
R2K’s Malik Jenning also chipped in with a few hustle points, which would prove pivotal in the 2nd half. Stay Strong’s Barbosa struggled all night, and was hearing it from the crowd and Cha Ching on the mic, telling him to retire like Tim Duncan did that morning. Rome, Brian and Dashawn Joyner picked up the slack though, and Stay Strong was still in the game at halftime.
In the 2nd half, Stay Strong switched up their strategy and started doubling Malcolm any time he had the ball, and it paid off. R2K’s offense stalled with Malcolm taken out of the game, and they struggled to find points. Stay Strong continued to chip away at the lead, and with 21 seconds left, they had an opportunity to tie up the game, with Barbosa stepping to the line.
He sank the 2 clutch free-throws, absolving him of his lackluster play for the night. R2K threw the ball away, and subsequently the game, trying to get it across half court for the final shot, and Stay Strong held onto the ball until the clock ran out, with the final score, 54-53. Malcolm dropped 35 points, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome the strong team play of Stay Strong, who were carried for the most part by Day Day’s 19 points.
In Game 2, The Label, wearing purple jerseys, took on Rodney Park, in the dark blue jerseys. This game was extremely sloppy, and it seemed like neither team wanted to hang onto the ball. The themes of the night were fouls and turnovers, and Rodney Park took advantage of their chances from the line early, and jumped out with a lead.
Mike Liander went to work in the post early on, and The Label had no answer for him. The Label’s Nunu tried to put the team on his back, but he couldn’t convert enough of his opportunities. The same went for Markquis and Manny, who came of the bench. They provided their team with much needed energy, but they couldn’t get their shots to drop.
Rodney Park’s transition game was on point, led by Super Dave’s defensive intensity and smart offensive play. Happy Feet also got into the action in the 2nd half, putting defenders on their heels with his shimmies and shakes. In the end, Rodney Park dominated the 2nd half, making their shots when it counted, and came out on top 66-52.
Images: Ben Berry (#BenShotIt)