Pro City Playoffs - Quarterfinals, Pt. 2

August 6, 2011 - D.C. Nike Pro City quarterfinal playoff competition concluded last night at Georgetown's McDonough Arena, with the numerous fans in attendance treated to two good games. Coverage follows:

Puppies bite - During the evening's last game, G'Town's freshman class acquitted themselves well, as The Tombs downed a veteran laden Team Turner squad 81-80. Adding to the victory's sweetness was the way it was achieved.

Prior to last night, the Hoya frosh or 'Puppies' had demonstrated skill consistently in Pro City play, and at various times toughness, with freshman guard Jabril Trawick leading them in that department. But last night he was joined by the entire litter (Mikael Hopkins, Greg Whittington and Otto Porter, with Tyler Adams not playing due to injury).

In essence they scrapped, talked and muscled themselves to a well earned victory. Case in point was National Basketball Association player Nolan Smith: A first round draft pick of the Portland Trailblazers and All-American at Duke, Smith was visibly agitated the physical jostling and verbal sparring he received from Trawick, Whittington, et al.

Whittington led Tombs with 20 points, while Trawick, Hopkins and Traywick scored 15, 14, and 12 points, respectively. It was Hopkins who won the game with 4.3 seconds left, via a tip in of his own missed shot.

"They all had a great game" said Team Turner head guy Rodney Turner, a longtime summer basketball figure in the Nation's Capital, one known for this passion and outbursts, of the Puppies. Regarding Hopkins, Turner noted "I loved his post game". He also indicated Trawick played well, but didn't necessarily agree with his chatter.

Nolan Smith finished with 22 points for Turner, [diane]Mo Diane[/db] had 15. Maryland's senior swingman Sean Mosley tallied 13 points.

Upsets continue - Having the league's best record, owning top status in Pro City's Hyper Dunk division and being the league's runner up last year, Beyond Belief was the favorite in not only quarterfinal play, but to win a 'Chip this season.

Clyde's didn't get that memo; after being up just 64-63 with 13:46 to play, Clyde's staved off James Gist and Isaiah Swann's Beyond Belief charge, in the end prevailing 90-82. Gist dropped 26 points, and Swann 25.

Clyde's got 17 points from a trio of players: Hoya redshirt freshman Aaron Bowen, recent transfer to Mt. St. Mary's Rashad Whack, and former Hoya and present NBA player, Jeff Green. George Washington junior swingman Dwayne Smith led Clyde's with 21 points, most scored in the process of driving to the cup, scoring and/or being fouled.

Beyond Belief's Gist on his own play down the stretch, which included a number of dunks and post moves: "We were trying to get a bucket…attack, attack, attack".

Did he think having guard Carl Buck and forward Jeff Allen, two stalwart Beyond Belief performers not present for various reasons, would have made a difference?

"They would have helped out" Gist responded, "but you have to go with who you have".

Be sure to visit Premium Court for more on the 'Puppies' and G'Town injury concerns.