VBL '24 Quarter-Finals Recap
Written by Ben Geffner & Natalia Lopez
Excitement filled the air as the quarterfinals brought high-stakes competition and thrilling moments, with each team vying for a spot in the semifinals. We'll be back this weekend with more exhilarating semifinal games. Get ready for some crazy, exciting matchups as the journey to the VBL championship continues!
Underdogs vs. New Jersey Sets
What a game! The Underdogs came out on top with a 59-49 victory, and the action on the court was nothing short of electrifying. Tone earned the Player of the Game (POTG) honors, setting the pace early and keeping the momentum strong for the Underdogs. Joe added to the excitement with buzzer-beating threes at the end of both the second and third quarters, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The Underdogs’ offensive boards were on point, giving them multiple second-chance opportunities that proved crucial. NJS fought valiantly, with Sam being a standout. He nailed a jaw-dropping fallaway triple despite tight defense, giving NJS a significant momentum boost. Sam was unstoppable in the second quarter, going on a solo run that kept NJS in the game and made it a thrilling contest. Both teams battled fiercely on the boards, showing impressive hustle and determination. In the end, the Underdogs' consistent play and key moments from their stars secured the win.
Timeless vs Sole Creators
Game 2 of the quarterfinals was packed with jaw-dropping dunks and highlight-reel moments from start to finish. Bobby delivered a buzzer-beating shot at the end of the first quarter, setting the tone for the game. J-Mo and Big Baby both added to the excitement by delivering monstrous posters, sending their defenders to the floor. Transition dunks from Malik, Mar, Big Baby, and Elvin kept the energy high, with Elvin capping it off with a mind-blowing contested alley-oop from Juice. He stole the show, earning Player of the Game (POTG) honors with his incredible plays and high-flying antics. As the game turned into a blowout, both teams decided to put on a show, going for spectacular highlights that had the crowd on their feet. In an unforgettable showdown, Timeless triumphed with a commanding 83-64 victory, leaving fans in awe.
Hoopbus vs The Mecca
In a dominant display of skill and teamwork, Mecca surged to a commanding 66-44 victory over Hoopbus, making it clear why they are a force to be reckoned with this season. Although the game was a blowout, it was packed with impressive plays and moments that kept fans engaged. While the game lacked the usual high drama, it was a clear blowout with plenty of memorable moments. Hezi earned Player of the Game (POTG) honors, showcasing his signature razzle-dazzle slow euro step layup that left defenders in the dust. From the tip-off, Mecca was on a mission. They got off to a blazing start with a run that Hoopbus simply couldn’t counter. Mecca's offense was relentless, executing plays with precision and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Their defense was equally impressive, shutting down Hoopbus and preventing any significant comeback. Despite the lopsided score, the intensity on the court remained high. Tempers flared at times, adding a fiery edge to the game. Players from both teams showed their passion and competitive spirit, resulting in some heated exchanges. Mecca’s performance was a testament to their skill and cohesion as a team.
Basketball Junkies vs Ca Firm
The final game of the day was an instant classic – with CA Firm in the driver’s seat throughout the majority of the first half until Zach’s arrival midway through the second quarter sparked a late BBJ run. With highlight plays and self-oop dunks throughout the majority of the game, Zach (19 pts) earned POTG honors, keeping it close up until the GameBreaker period. Sydney Dean (19 pts) and Chi-Town (14 pts, 6 reb) led the way for CA Firm, but it was too little, too late – as a Budha game-winning bucket gave BBJ a 65-63 victory, and the final confirmed berth in the VBL semifinals.
VBL Player Leaders by Category:
*All stats are accumulated and averaged between all Weeks including Playoffs
PTS:
Juice Billbrew(Timeless): 130 pts (21.7 ppg)
Elvin Rodriguez(Timeless): 119 pts (19.8 ppg)
Zach Hinton(BBJ): 117 pts (19.5 ppg)
AST:
Juice Billbrew(Timeless): 31 ast (5.1 apg)
AJ “The Chosen One”(Mecca): 23 ast (3.8 apg)
Sydney Dean(CAF): 21 ast (3.5 apg)
REB:
Maurice Jones(Underdogs): 35 reb (5.8 rpg)
Zach Hinton(BBJ): 35 reb (5.8 rpg)
Marcus Bell(Mecca): 32 reb (8 rpg)
BLK:
Amir Smith(Hoopbus): 8 blk (2.6 bpg)
“Jamaican” Jay(Hoopbus): 6 blk (1.2 bpg)
Elvin Rodriguez(Timeless): 5 blk (0.8 bpg)
STL:
Elvin Rodriguez(Timeless): 16 stl (2.7 spg)
Amos Hines(CAF): 14 stl (2.8 spg)
Omari Ferguson(NOSHA): 13 stl (2.6 spg)
3PT:
Juice Billbrew(Timeless): 26 3’s (21.7 ppg)
Hezigod(Mecca): 13 3’s (23 ppg)
Devin Howlin(NJS): 13 3’s (12.3 ppg)
Updated Playoff Bracket:
Semifinals/All-Star Weekend Schedule:
