Paddy Wagon, Moss Builders, Miz & Hiz Biz win big

Championship game energy filled the air at The Center last week as the adult basketball and youth soccer leagues came to an end with the final games of the season. Three games, three champions.

Last Monday night. the action started with hardcourt play as top-ranked Moss Builders faced the number two team, Paddy Wagon. Both teams came into the game with a 5-1 record, but it was clear from the start that the Moss Builders’ squad would have to play their best basketball to win.

With less than two minutes left in the first half play, Paddy Wagon had a 13-point lead with the score 28-15. Missed free throws and missed opportunities kept the Moss team from closing the gap before the first buzzer sounded.

Starting the last half of play down by 11, Moss Builders started on defense only to have Jeremi King tip in a basket for the team’s 30^th point. King took the basketball away from Jordan DeMers for a layup, increasing his teams lead to 15 points.

DeMers found his groove at the free-throw line for Moss Builders making both baskets, taking the score to 32-19.

Missed free throws by Ryan Moss and another basket by King gave Paddy Wagon 34 points, but the Moss Builders team would not quit. A layup by DeMers and three-pointer by King advanced the score to 37-22.

Jay Terry added two points to the Paddy Wagon score, followed by another basket by King to give the team a 19-point lead. The increasing deficit forced Moss Builders to call a timeout to regroup with 15 minutes left in the game.

Taking the court after the huddle, Zack Long scored a much-needed Moss Builder’s basket under the net after a Jon Moss pass.

Paddy Wagon, Moss Builders, Miz & Hiz Biz win big — Shutting out their opponent, Miz & Hiz Biz won the championship game to close out the season for the 11- to 14-year-old league at The Center. Pictured from left are William Pakbaz, Jackson Pakbaz, Stephen Wilson, Ava Harlan, Liam Nunez, Chad Nunez, Konnor Oelfke, Cecelia Kroth and Coach Emily Nunez. – Monica Simpson | Sun

Down by 17 and with new-found energy, Moss Builders played to win. After being fouled by Long, King went to the line, but missed all three shots.

Moments later, J.B. Shuck found himself on the free-throw line for Moss Builders, making the first two baskets and missing the last; the score was 41-26.

Paddy Wagon’s Thomas Gish answered back with a 3-pointer. Teammate Trey Yarn made a goal, giving his team a 20-point lead.

With the score 46-26, Long finally put the basketball in the hoop after several attempts. Moss Builders’ Karri Stephens made a nice layup, giving his team their 30^th point in the game.

After two Paddy Wagon baskets, Luca Vecchio was called for reaching against the Moss ball handler, putting DeMers on the line with 7:05 on the scoreboard clock. DeMers’ miss left the score at 50-30.

Long hit a three and DeMers made two much-needed free-throws, narrowing Paddy Wagon’s lead to 50-35, with a little more than five minutes left in the championship game.

Yarn’s successful three-point shot and missed three-pointer by DeMers left the score at 53-35.

Despite a foul by J. Moss, Terry could not capitalize at the free-throw line, missing both shots. Terry’s second shot was rebounded by James Roadman who inadvertently put the ball in the Paddy Wagon basket, giving the opponent two points.

Terry’s follow-up layup and missed free throw by Stephens lead to the three-pointer by Long, ending the scoring at 57-38. Paddy Wagon handily won the big game by 19 points, giving them the title of champions in the adult basketball league.

Tuesday night’s play started with youth soccer action in the 8- to 10-year-old league. After one half of action, the score was 0-0. Freekicks after penalties put points on the scoreboard for each team.

Moss Builders and Solid Rock Construction took it to the last second of regulation play with the score 1-1. Goals by Solid Rock’s Nixon Conner and Moss Builders Mason Moss, put the game into overtime.

Solid Rock’s Isaac Roadman is credited with four saves in the big game, while goalkeeper Asher Patel helped his team in the win with two critical stops for Moss Builders.

After three additional minutes of scoreless play, both teams put their best players on the line for a shootout. Moss’ final goal in post-regulation play was the winning goal, giving his team the championship title.

Closing out the playoff action for the week, Miz & Hiz Biz blew out the Blalock Walters team in the 11- to 14-year-old league, earning the team win and the championship. All four goals for the Miz & Biz squad came off the foot of Jackson Pakbaz.

Keeping the game scoreless for Blalock Walters was the defense of Miz & Hiz and the goalie talents of Konnor Oelfke. In the other goal, Mason Moss and Cale Rudacille had two and three saves, respectively.

Another exciting season of adult basketball and youth soccer came to an end last week, making adult co-ed soccer the main attraction going into the holiday season. Can the undefeated Sato Real Estate crew take it all again? Will the Sandbar team find its first win?

Halfway through the season, and playoffs in sight, the Paul “Ace” Hayward cup and championship is anyone’s to claim.