JUSTICE 1 WINS GHRA BASKETBALL TITLE

By Jeff Ochavillo

In a close double overtime game thriller, Justice 1 triumphed over their fellow team Justice 2 with a 65-64 victory In the season finale of the GHRA basketball league at the UOG Field House Wednesday night. The lead changes were constant as each team scrapped for even a small advantage of the game.

Justice 2 made two game-tying threes in both regulation to force the first overtime and the in the first overtime to force the second. However, their luck ran out as did time crowning Justice 1 as the GHRA champions.

When asked about the difficulties of facing their fellow team, Roque Charfauros of Team Justice 1 said, “It was a very difficult game knowing that we are all one team and that we know what are each other’s strength and weaknesses, it was mainly defense was our main struggle.”

Justice 1 Roque Charfauros looks for and opening in the lane against Justice 2. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Coming out of the first half tied at 21, Justice 2 got their first lead of the game with a reverse layup from James Collin to go up 23-21. Justice 1 responded making midrange jumpers from Roque Charfauros and Reggie Rechebong to get the lead back up to 25-23.

As Justice 1 kept pushing the lead, Justice 2’s Collins made a turnaround shot to tie the game at 32. Following that was Joey Reyes who got a block on the other end, which led to a transition layup for Collins to go up 34-32. John Chaco of Justice 1 continued his hot start by draining a 3-pointer to go up 35-34.

As the game progressed with a series of lead changes while coming down to the games final minutes, Justice 1’s Rechebong double pumped before sinking a bucket to go up 50-46. Justice 2’s Jose Terlaje got a corner shot from a kick out pass by Collins to cut lead down to two.

As the game hit the one-minute mark, Justice 2’s Jay Casimiro scooped a layup to make them trail 53-52. Noticing the time, fouling was their last resort to stop the clock, as Charfauros knocked down the two free throws to go up 54-52. Casimiro continued to play on as he pulled up for a jumper to cut the lead to one. Justice 1’s James Stake was fouled and knocked down two free throws to go up 57-54. With less than 10 seconds left, Casimiro rushed the ball down the court and pulled up behind the arc and drained the three- pointer to the game at 57 for overtime!

1st Overtime:

Right off of tip off, Justice 1 took first blood in OT with Charfauros getting a steal in the other end and going coast-to-coast for a layup to go up 59-57.

After many unsuccessful scoring possessions by both teams with only a minute left, Casimiro ended the cold streak by drawing a shooting foul and knocking down one of two free throws to trail 57-56.

Justice 2 Jay Casimiro drives down the baseline and tries to make the basket but was fouled on the play. (Photo by Joey Blas)

In the last 30 seconds, Charfauros made a jumper to cut the lead to 61-58. Justice 2 held the ball for the last possession of the game, missing one of their three point attempts before the rebound feel into the hands of Shaun Perez as he pulled up behind the arc and banked in a three pointer to tie the game at 61-61 forcing a 2nd Overtime.

2nd Overtime

With only two minutes to play, both teams scrambled for possession of the ball. However, Chaco ended up open in the perimeter and made a jumper followed by free throws down the stretch to go up 65-61.

With less than 10 seconds remaining, Justice 2’s Brian Aflague missed a three and kicked it out to Casimiro as he drained it, but it was already too late as the buzzer went off ending the game as the final score ended up 65-64.

Justice 1 James Stake goes up and tries to block a shot from Justice 2 Bradley Aflague. (Photo by Joey Blas)

When asked about the whole game experience, Charfauros responded, “Coming into a three game playoff game took a lot of heart from both teams. Sure we were teasing each other from other sides of the court but all in all we are one team.”

In the victory, Roque Charfauros led all scorers with a total of 19 points, followed by teammate Will Stinnet with 17. On the other side was James Collins who led his team with a total of 18 points in losing the effort.

3rd Place Match

Sushi Rock (43), Baldyga Group (56)

Sushi Rock kept up with Baldyga Group in the first half, but started to fall back in the 2nd as Baldyga started to pick up the pace. The closest they got in the 2nd half was 7 points as Baldyga were too difficult to match with their strength in numbers.

Game high scorer was Baldyga’s Ryan Nangauta scoring 17 points helping his team get to 3rd place in the tournament. James White and Taka Diaz tied with 10 points leading Sushi Rock in a valiant effort.

“Coming into a three game playoff game took a lot of heart from both teams. Sure we were teasing each other from other sides of the court but all in all we are one team.”

PHOTO GALLERY:

Justice 1 Reggie Rechebong drives the ball and goes up for the shot and makes the difficult basket. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Justice 1 John Chaco pulls up for the open jumper to put them up by 5 points in the second half. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Justice 2 Bradley Aflague receives the pass from mid court and takes it all the way to the hoop. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Justice 2 Tony Matson dribbles the ball down court. (Photo by Joey Blas)

Justice 2 Bradley Aflague drives the ball to the lane and makes the difficult basket. (Photo by Joey Blas)