Drummond Buzzer-Beater Lifts CBC

Drummond leads CBC to 2-0 Start in Vegas

New England Battle Lives up to Billing

- After splitting two meetings over the course of the Spring, CBC and the NE Playaz met up again yesterday in a heavyweight match-up at Rancho HS in Las Vegas in Pool-Play action at the Adidas Super 64.  From the opening tip, this one was a barn-burner.  Throughout the game, the two New England Clubs went back and forth, with neither team eclipsing a lead of more than 7 at any point in the action.  In the end, Andre Drummond hit a fade-away from the elbow of Kaleb Tarczewski as time expired to give CBC a 60-58 win over the Playaz.  Both ball-clubs are definitely serious contenders for the Super 64 Title and this Spaceship would not complain if there was a CBC/Playaz re-match somewhere along the line.  Check out game-notes below.

Game Notes

- John Calipari, Bobby Huggins, and Jerry Tarkanian sat together in the front row for this one.

- The Playaz were led by combo-guard Joe Bramanti, who was the best player on the floor in this one for John Carroll, proving he belongs in a major way.  He must have drawn three of Drummond's 5 fouls by taking it right to his chest and challenging him, finishing with an emphatic and-one on one of them.

- John Papale was his typical self out on the wing, drilling a number of treys and attacking close-outs to get into his mid-range pull up game.  Doesn't make mental mistakes.

- Kaleb Tarczewski didn't have his best scoring afternoon, but he was outstanding in commanding the paint and changing the game while going up against CBC's Stable of Big Men, Drummond, TPR, Sean Obi, and Ethan O'Day.  He is going to be a monster catch for whatever school gains his services.

- The sagging team defense of the Playaz gave the CBC guards fits all day, but Kahlil Dukes and Kris Dunn were terrific in spurts to keep CBC in it with Drummond in perpetual foul trouble.  Dukes has a lot of shake, a nifty handle, a sweet stroke, and a good feel for the game.  As far as Kris Dunn, in transition, he is the best guard in America not named Rodney Purvis.

- Drummond was fantastic when he was on the floor, scoring the ball, rebounding, contesting shots, and even leading the break.  He had three or four crazy plays which sent a buzz tearing through the gym.  One thing I noticed about Drummond is that every time he comes out of the game, he makes sure to slap five with every single one of his coaches and teammates.  He has a bit of potential as a player...just a bit though.

- Sean Obi - One of the few guys I have seen who does not look small next to Tarczewski.  It was a treat to watch these two mammoths go at it on the block.  They got tangled up a few times like two grizzly bears fighting for a snack.  Kid definitely held his own.  (And btw, in Springfield, I saw him warming up for a game by juggling a soccer ball to the delight of his CBC teammates).

- Timajh Parker-Rivera - Did a little bit of everything..rebounded, scored on put-backs, hit a trey ball, and he wins a very high percentage of 50/50 loose balls in his neighborhood.

- John Carroll is fun to watch coach.  His intensity is unrivaled and his passion for the game is apparent from a mile away.  At one point, Carroll was going nuts on the bench as his guards trapped a hard-charging Kahlil Dukes on the sideline.  Dukes tried to split the trap and collided with the Playaz guards, going down hard, at which point Carroll instinctively sprung from his perch on the sideline to help Dukes up and give him a pat on the head.
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