By Matt Fulkerson/sports editor
The 5-on-5 basketball tournament continued on SE Campus as the teams faced off in games before spring break and March 22.
Before the break, Triple D Allstarz trounced Just Don’t, 48-26. The Free Agents defeated the Free Ballers, 33-24. The Flappy Birds forfeited their game to We Trash. We Trash beat Just Don’t, 47-38. Murderfield Mafia held up against TCC Squad, 59-40, and Los Mavericks fell to the Starshooters, 38-22.
In the March 22 games, Just Don’t defeated Murderfield Mafia, 46-29. We Trash annihilated the Starshooters, 62-27. Los Mavericks narrowly beat the Freeballers, 42-41. TCC Squad fell to the Triple D Allstarz, 68-39, and the Free Agents flew over the Flappy Birds, 46-32.
As the teams prepare for the elimination rounds March 29, the two top ranked teams are We Trash and the Triple D Allstarz.
The last time the two squads faced off during the tournament, We Trash came out on top, but Triple D team member Stoney Washington sees a different outcome if they face off during the elimination rounds.
“We Trash beat us in our first game, but we’re playing a lot better now,” he said. “I think we can take them next time.”
While the consensus seems to be that the championship will come down to We Trash and Triple D, the No. 3 ranked Free Agents may give Triple D a run for their money when they go head-to-head March 29. Led by Emelio Velazquez, the Free Agents may be the most underestimated team in the tournament.
Velazquez believes the secret to their success lies in teamwork and experience playing together.
“Most of us played together at Arlington High School,” he said. “We really gel as a team.”
Although the Triple D Allstarz never played together before the tournament, team member George Ankle Jr. thinks teamwork and communication will still carry them to the final round of the tournament.
“[The Free Agents] are good, but our team functions like a heartbeat,” he said. “We have a rhythm and keep in time with each other.”
The 5-on-5 tournament continues into elimination rounds March 29 and the final championship games April 5. The winning teams from each campus’ 5-on-5 tournament will face off for the title of district champions April 19 on SE Campus.
