By Jack Clark
It all came down to this.
Rumph Center versus TBB.
Two heavyweights facing off in a thriller on Monday night. It was nearly over for TBB in the semi-finals, with Tyrese Martin hitting the game-winner to send his squad to the championship. Despite Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter not playing, Rumph Center took care of business early, playing fast-paced basketball thanks to speedster Josh Sharkey, who finished with 8 assists in Sunday’s semifinal.
It was set for a tight contest until the Villanova Wildcat, National Champion and Phoenix Sun guard Collin Gillespie arrived. The former Big East Player of the Year erupted at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, getting “oos” and “aas” from the crowd early in the first half. Darren “Smooth Operator” Hilliard had the hot hand to start, shooting four for six from three, totalling 18 points to lead his team before the break.
The DAC was shaking and there was so much star power that Meek Mill and Gilly had to watch It was an offensive barrage in the first half, with Gillespie and Sharkey trading big-time shot for big-time shot. Sharkey was a man on a mission, killing TBB from the perimeter and putting up 14 first-half points, with the Jaws theme song playing whenever he had the rock.
When the dust settled, TBB held a 60–59 lead over Rumph Center at the half.
TBB began to create separation in the second half, as Gillespie started dishing it to his teammates, Tyrese “The Professional” Martin, specifically. The former 76er was a man on a mission, knocking down shots on the outside, impossible to stop inside.
Rumph Center refused to back down. The veteran Samme Givens put his body on the line, hustling for every rebound, loose ball, and screen. Rumph Center’s Rasool Diggins was determined to score, but TBB’s big man Clifton Moore came up big down the stretch with quick, easy buckets in the paint.
Sharkey and Lakeem McAliley got the clutch gene, with less than a minute left in the game. The pair drained back-to-back threes and made a clutch-time steal with 10 seconds left. Down only one point, Sharkey drove down the line, only to have the ball stripped by the pro Gillespie.
Rumph Center had one more chance to tie the game, but fell short by a matter of two points.
TBB went on to win 103–101, hoisting the championship trophy in one of the Rumph’s greatest championship games of all time. Martin received the MVP honors after recording an incredible 33 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists in the victory. One year after falling short in the championship, it was TBB on the opposite end hoisting the Rumph Championship trophy.