Pulley League Championship All Set

The summer began with 8 teams, and now we’re down to just 2. The Errol Carlstrom Playaz will take on A&A Millwork Thursday night at 7:15 pm in the championship game of the 2004 Howard Pulley’s Nike ProCity League. With A&A being the lone undefeated team in the playoffs, the Playaz would have to beat A&A twice in a row (the 2nd game would be Friday night) in order capture the title.

The Playaz made it to the championship game by knocking off a tough Compass team Wednesday night in a very closely contested game. The teams opened the game in a dead heat before the Playaz built a 23-18 lead after the 1st quarter. Compass opened the 2nd on a 9-2 run to take a lead, but then the Playaz went on a 10-2 run to get back on top and take a 42-39 edge into halftime.

The 3rd quarter was the game’s best. The teams traded punches, and Compass was ultimately able to claim a 62-61 lead heading into the final period. That’s when the Playaz – led by Bee Bop Walker, Rock Winston, and Rich Melzer – started to turn it on. They scored the quarter’s first 5 points, and while Compass was able to tie the game up a few minutes later, they would never again regain the lead.

Whenever Compass drew near, the Playaz would have an answer. When they built an 80-71 lead with 2:45 to play, the game seemed to be well in hand. But Compass mounted one more charge and actually drew within 2 points in the final minute. A tough bank shot by Bee Bop iced the game though, and the Playaz came out on top 85-80.

The Playaz’ other key players were Tommy Chatman and Mike Walker.

Compass was led by Dwayne Toatley, Andy Gilbert, Ben Van Thorre, Paul Vitelli, and Ken Wilson (who had a number of nice assists to go with double-digit points).

Now things really get tough for the Playaz though, because A&A Millwork is loaded with talent and experience (mainly of the ex-Gopher variety). Beating them will be very difficult, and beating them twice in two nights might be almost impossible.

But that’s why the play the game(s).