M.A.D.E. Pro-Am Week 5 Recaps
On Pont Basketball (Made Pro Am) Game 1 Recap
Team Black (Made Men) vs. Team White (The Health Institute)
(The Health Institute defeats Made Men 93-90 in OT)
Made Men took an early lead thanks to two early three pointers. Olu Ashaolu got it going for The Health Institute with a big dunk followed by a trey of his own. Despite both teams getting after it on defence, it was a high scoring first quarter with The Health Institute leading 25-23 at its conclusion. Ashaolu was starting to feel it as he converted an acrobatic layup after a steal. Juevol Myles then started to get it going for The Health Institute with a tough improvised lay-in. The two teams were trading buckets with neither squad able to go on a prolonged run. Made Men did outscore The Health Institute 23-17 in the second quarter to take a 46-42 halftime lead. Christian Kabongo paced Made Men with 11 points while Mark Perrin also scored 11, which led The Health Institute.
Made Men inceased their lead to 63-50 six minutes into the third quarter. The flow of the game really picked up in the third, which found Made Men up 71-59 heading in to the fourth quarter. Ashton Smith did his best to lead The Health Institute to the comeback with an impressive alleyoop dunk. Smith then hit a big three to pull The Health Institute to with seven, 77-70. A few minutes later Smith was fouled on a three point attempt and hit all three from the stripe to pull his team to within four, 81-77. Juevol Myles contributed to the comeback with a deep three and a driving layup to help The Health Institute cut the lead to one, 83-82. Robert Dewar’s layup follwing an offensive rebound completed the comeback and gave The Health Institute an 84-83 lead. Made Men were unable to convert on two close attempts on the other end and were forced to foul. Smith connected on both free throws and The Health Institute led 86-83 with 12.5 seconds on the clock. During Made Men’s ensuing possession, Javohn Shepherd was fouled on a long two point jumper. With just 0.8 seconds remaining in the game, he would have to make the first and miss the second intentionally and hope for a favourable bounce. That’s exactly what happened as Christian Kabongo scooped up the rebound and put in a desperation layup.
It was a controversial ending to regulation with some question as to whether or not Kabongo got the shot off in time or if the clock started immediately. The teams exchanged free throws to start the extra frame. Ryan Grant hit one of two from the stripe to give The Health Institute an 89-88 lead. After Shepherd missed badly on a floater, Mark Perrin converted two free throws. A Mike Fraser tip in pulled Made Men within one, 91-90. Ashton Smith was sent to the line with 5.1 on the clock and made both attempts. Surrounded by defenders, Javohn Shepherd was unable to get a shot off in the dying seconds.
Ashton Smith led The Health Institute with 24 points and added 4 assists while Ryan Wright had a double double with 23 points and 12 rebounds, Mark Perrin had 21 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Olu Ashaolu had a game high 13 rebounds to go along with his 16 points. Richard Amardi scored a team high 21 points and 8 rebounds for Made Men and Christian Kabongo chipped in with 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. The Health Institute end their season on a positive note after dropping their first three games. The Made Men finish their season with a record of 1-3.
Game 2 First Commonwealth vs. Flash Forward
On Point Basketball (Made Pro Am) Game 2 Recap
Team Black (First Commonwealth) vs. Team White (Flash Forward)
First Commonwealth got off to a quick start thanks to Junior Cadougan, who went to the hoop for two driving layups. Terance Licorish answered back for Flash Forward with a powerful dunk. First Commonwealth led 17-16 after the first quarter. The second quarter featured intense action and the competition waas fierce. Matthew Wright hit a deep three pointer as Flash Forward began to pull away. Wright then sliced through the lane for a nice driving layup. Alex Hill got in on the run for Flash Forward with a trey of his own. Together Hill and Wright propelled a 18-5 run for Flash Forward. They took a 41-29 halftime after outscoring First Commonwealth 25-12 in the second quarter. Hill and Wright each had 7 points to lead Flash Forward. Jasonn Hannibal paced First Commonwealth with 7 points as well.
Flash Forward looked to be pulling away as they increased their lead to 50-35 a few minutes into the second half. Junior Cadougan and Brent Jennings sparked a 13-3 run and First Commonwealth gets within three points, 57-54. Flash Forward score the last five points of the quarter to take a 62-54 lead into the final quarter. Oliver Prince and Brent Jennings each had big putback dunks that got First Commonwealth close, 66-63.
Cadougan hit a pair of free throws to make it a 75-72 game. He missed his next shot attempt and Tut Ruach hit a big stepback jumper to give Flash Forward a five point advantage. Ashton Smith’s layup on their next possesion proved to be the dagger.
Flash Forward’s leading scoring scorer was big man Terance Licorish who had 16 and added 7 rebounds, Tyrell Vernon contributed 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. First Commonwealth was led by Brent Jennings with 22, he also had 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Junior Cadougan chipped in with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Flash Forward advance to the Made Pro-Am Championship game where they will take on Team On Point. Last chance to see some great live basketball action. University of Toronto Athletic Centre, 55 Harbord Street. Doors open at 6:15pm, game gets underway at 6:45.
Graeme Wallace
