Kingdom Summer Playoffs, Analysis and Review.

August 7, 2023

Written By: Victor Dandridge
Edited By: Sara Jane Gamelli

Committed to my Craft 90, McGlade Max Pro 81

Off to slow start, Committed to my Craft was able to get an early lead. Max Pro, who had a slow start, fell behind 21-18 by the end of the first quarter. Joe Thomasson scored 33 points in his season debut, and Max Pro ran into trouble in the second quarter. By halftime, McGlade Max Pro found themselves down 43-33.  Although Max Pro played more efficient in the third quarter, Scott Thomas and Ron Lewis began to take charge.

D’Mitrik Trice kept Max Pro alive, scoring 8 points in the quarter. In an exhilarating final quarter, Max Pro took a brief lead, thanks to Scott Thomas, Aaron Craft and Ron Lewis. In the final minutes of regulation, Joe Pro was nearly unstoppable. Joe, D’Mitrik and Vitto Brown's big baskets were too much, and which they sealed the victory. The defending champions, Committed to my Craft, are headed back to the championship game.

Player of the Game:  Joe Thomasson 

4DEEP 85, Hype 614 77

The matchup between these two teams was an absolute dogfight, in which Hype 614 came out swinging. 4 DEEP looked frightened and immobilized. After the first quarter, Hype commanded a 28-27 lead, showing no fear.

Although Matthew Jordan Bingaya scored ten points in the first, he was held scoreless in the second. 4DEEP was a more efficient team, with great ball movement, and effective scoring. By halftime, 4DEEP commanded a 47-42 lead. Dibaji Walker had 11 points by the half, which was not up to normal standards. Morgan Safford and scored CJ Penha 10 points each. Junni Mobley contributed 8 points. 

The third quarter was extremely unpredictable.  Led by Wesley Shuttlesworth Russell, Hype 614 cut the deficit to 2 points, due to their stellar defense. By the third, 4DEEP went cold shooting, and it remained a close game, at 64-62.

Matt Bingaya and Gary Hoover attempted to keep Hype 614's championship hopes alive in the final quarter. CJ Penha, and Junni Mobley, of 4 DEEP, hit back-to-back buckets, to secure their ticket to the championship.

In next week's championship game, Committed to my Craft, the defending champions will face off against 4DEEP. Overall, Junni Mobley was excellent in his Kingdom League debut, and it was a collaborative, team win.

Players of the Game:

CJ Penha

Dibaji Walker 

Morgan Safford 

Junni Mobley

Championship Game

4DEEP (7-0) vs. Committed to my Craft (5-2)

Will Committed to my Craft win their second straight championship?