LaPensee edges out Gator Squad for championship

The Gator Squad, sponsored by Gator-Man Pool Service, attempted to defend its adult basketball championship at the Center on Tuesday, Nov. 24, against the #1 seeded LaPensee Plumbing and Pools. With friends and family supporting each team, this was a game to watch, and the teams did not disappoint.

The scoring started quickly with Dale Smith putting two points on the scoreboard for the #2 seeded Gator Squad. Captain Jonathan Moss attempted to tie up the game with a layup for LaPensee, but the shot was deflected by Smith. Moss quickly got the ball back and made his third shot attempt of the game taking the score to 2-2.

Team captain Aaron Dudukes took his squad ahead once again with a quick score that was followed by a basket by Brandon Osmond for LaPensee. After a travel call on Smith, Jordan Demers drove down the lane and missed the layup for LaPensee. Despite good passing and ball control, LaPensee could not pull ahead until the next offensive possession with Moss finding the hoop under the basket.

With the score 4-6 and LaPensee in the lead, Cody Sullivan tied up the score with a basket for the Gator Squad. The high pressure stakes game proved to be a scoring enemy for both teams. Strong defensive play also kept the scoring low. The Gator Squad was supported by Chris Shaffer both on the offensive and defensive fronts.

After a missed outside shot, Shawn Hubbard found the rim and scored the fourth basket for LaPensee. Fouled by Hubbard, Dudukes took the line for two shots, making the first and missing the second shot resulting in a score of 7-8.

The Gator Squad scored two more points by Joe Combs and with 11 minutes left in the first half of play, Ryan Burke hit his first shot of the game for LaPensee bringing the game back within one point. With a rebound and shot, Smith scored again pulling the Gator Squad ahead 11-10. LaPensee answered back taking back the lead.

Smith got fouled and hit one of two free throw shots making it a tied ball game with the score 12-12. The Gator Squad’s Scott Elisio took the ball down the lane and put two points on the board. In typical fashion, LaPensee would not let its opponents lead for long. Burke scored quickly tying the game again.

Mike Scapondra, for LaPensee, fouled Dudukes, who made only the first penalty shot. The basketball rolled off of the rim denying Burke the points for LaPensee. Moss took the ball for his team and regained the lead for LaPensee.

Gator Squad’s Tom Heald attempted a three-point shot that was rebounded for a Squad basket. LaPensee quickly put up six points with a basket by Sam Hooker, layup by Hubbard and score by Osmond.

With the score 17-22 and 34 seconds left on the clock for the first half of play, Sullivan hit the first and only three-point shot of the game for the Gator Squad.

The second half of the championship game proved to be just as competitive between the on-the-court rivals. With six quick points put on the board by the Gator Squad, LaPensee scored its first basket of the half with a hoop by Scapondra.

With Heald under the basket, Dudukes passes the ball to the tall man who made the basket to take the Gator Squad ahead again. But, that lead would not be held for long. After being trapped in the corner of the court, Scapondra dribbled past defenders to under the hoop and dumped the ball off in the middle of the court to Osmond. Osmond hit back-to-back baskets widening the LaPensee lead to 25-28.

Baskets by Dudukes and Heald regained the lead for the Gator Squad. Smith was called for a foul on Demers. Demers made both free throw shots reducing the Squad’s lead by one with the score 31-30.

The back and forth scoring action continued until the last seconds of the final game of the season. Hubbard scored for LaPensee, and Elisio grabbed two points of his own after rebounding the fast break shot attempt by Burke.

Ahead by two points, 35-33, and with five minutes left on the clock, the Gator Squad called a time out. LaPensee took advantage of the time out and quickly scored two points with a Demers basket. Hubbard put two more points on the scoreboard for LaPensee and with three minutes left in the game Dudukes tied the game at 37-37.

Dudukes took another shot for the Gator Squad and was fouled by Scapondra. Making one of two shots, the Squad led the game with less than two minutes left on the clock.

The game clock had 44.8 seconds left to tick off. Demers was fouled and went to the free throw line. The LaPensee strong man missed the first penalty shot, but made the second tying the game again at 38-38.

Excitement filled the air. On offense, the Gator Squad chose to kill time off the clock until Hubbard stole the ball. LaPensee called their last time out with 7.3 seconds left in half. Returning on the court, Moss scored giving LaPensee the lead once again. With less than one second on the clock, the Gator Squad called its final timeout hoping to come up with a game plan to tie or win the game.

The Squad took possession with 0.9 seconds to tick off the game clock hoping to make a miracle shot. Despite a grand effort, the Gator Squad came up just short from a repeat championship.