Grebb League playoffs get under way this week
The Budd Grebb Memorial Basketball League playoffs are here, and while there are heavy favorites in both the girls and boys divisions, there is optimism for the teams involved.
The girls semifinal games take place Monday night while the boys play Tuesday.
AMD Industries and defending champion Dax Thomas State Farm finished tied for second place with 7-3 records and split their two games.
The rubber match, which starts at 7 p.m., will decide who advances to play for the championship.
“I am looking forward to some great games this week,” said State Farm coach Tom Rodriguez. “These girls play really hard and every team in this league has improved.
“It is satisfying as a coach to see these kids getting better.”
AMD coach Bill Wagner sized up the match-up.
“We have a tough game as State Farm has been playing really well,” he said. “We will have to play sound defense, and on offense, we have to play a more balanced game with ball movement and spacing being the keys.”
In the nightcap, regular-season champion Dairy Queen (10-0) takes on Duda Farms (4-6) at 8:30.
“I am looking forward to an exciting playoffs week and all of the remaining teams are capable of winning the championship,” said DQ coach Melanie Greco. “I am hopeful that we continue to defend with the same energy we have had all season as it is a big piece of everything we do.”
Duda Farms coach Larry Cash is excited that his team made the playoffs.
“I am proud of the girls for making the playoffs after not winning a game last season,” he said. “Now we will see what we can do in the playoffs.”
The boys semifinals take place Tuesday night.
Farmers Insurance (7-3) and Bee Graphix (7-3), who finished tied for second place and split their two meetings, play at 7 p.m.
The teams just played on Thursday with Bee Graphix securing an 82-76 win.
“We are looking forward to returning to the playoffs after a two-year hiatus,” said Bee Graphix coach Bob Kennedy. “We are healthy and coming off of a three-game winning streak and are hoping to make a little noise.”
Farmers, coached by Dana Zajicek, enters the postseason on a two-game losing streak.
“We know that it will take two wins to take home the championship,” Zajicek said. “We are playing two really good teams and our match-up with Bee is good enough to be a championship game.”
Top-seeded and undefeated Campy’s Pizza (10-0) has won a league-record 22 games in a row and faces fourth-seeded Northwood Realty (3-7).
“Obviously, we are going in as the favorite to win it all and the team has to have the mindset that everyone is out to knock them off,” said Campy’s coach Naz Victoria. “They are going to have to overcome the obstacles and play with the desire and determination to earn another championship.”
According to Northwood Realty coach Aaron Balla, discipline will be a key if his team is to pull off an upset.
“Discipline can be external but the greatest reward in the discipline that you give yourself,” he said. “We will have to play with it.”
The winners of the girls games tonight play Wednesday for their championship while the winners of the boys semifinal games Tuesday play for their championship Thursday.
In the event of inclement weather, games will moved from Mechanics Street Park to the California Area Middle School.
In the event of inclement weather, games will moved from Mechanics Street Park to the California Area Middle School.