WS Chronicle

Even with a torrential downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning, the crowd came out in full force to watch the 14th Street Community Center’s Late Night basketball league championship game played at Hanes Hosiery Community Center last Monday night.

The game featuring the two best teams in the league, Nothing Easy and Winston Truth, was a high-scoring affair that was closely contested all throughout the first half.  The second half was a different story as the sharp-shooting of game MVP Kenard Moore propelled Nothing Easy to a 124-101 victory.

League director Louis Lowery Jr. thought the championship game brought out the best in both teams.  He says the crowd really encouraged all the players to give it their all.  He thinks this year’s league lived up to expectations.

“I think we had a great year, the competition was great and a lot of relationships were built,” he said.  “The fellowship was great and I think all the guys had fun this year.  This was an outstanding game with a lot of good shooting and heart.  This game was very impressive.  These were the best two teams and they played like it.”

To start the game, both teams got out of the gates well offensively.  Fluid movement and great outside shooting was consistent throughout the first half.  Toward the end of the half, fatigue seemed to set in a little for Winston Truth as they only dressed six players. 

Nothing Easy took full advantage and went on a 10-0 run to stretch the lead to 47-38 with a little over two minutes left in the half.  Winston Truth hit a few buckets right before the buzzer to trim the lead to 56-51 going into intermission.

“I think we came out and played well in the first half,” said Winston Truth player Joe Thompson.  “With only six guys fatigue started to set in but we played well together and shared the ball.”

Moore started the second half just as he had finished the first, on fire.  He hit his first three bombs from downtown going on a personal 9-0 run.  Winston Truth would not go away as they would scrap together mini-runs to keep the game within striking distance early on in the second half.

Nothing Easy would not relent and they continued to apply pressure to the already tired legs of Winston Truth.  The up and down pace really took its toll on Winston Truth in the latter portion of the second half. 

Once Nothing Easy opened up a double figure lead at 94-83 with 7:21 left in the game, there was no looking back.  Four minutes later, Moore and company stretched the lead to 20 at the three-minute mark which essentially put the game out of reach. 

The high scorers for Winston Truth were M. Nash with 25 points, R. Davis with 20 points and Thompson with 18.  Nothing Easy was led by Moore with 35 points, C. Woods 27 points and S. Carter with 24.

“The second half we slacked off on defense some and we got a little tired,” Thompson added.  “Our legs definitely got tired but hats off to the other team for their win.  All in all I think we had a great season and I am looking forward to next season.”

Moore, game MVP, said he thought he played fairly well during the championship game but felt it was more of a team effort that gave them the win. 

“My teammate knew where to find me and I just kept seeking out those open spots to shoot,” he said.  “I used to not like to take those shots but my dad forced it in me to never be scared to take the shot.  It feels great to be named MVP but this is more of a team MVP because we all contributed to the win.”

Lowery said he gets speechless when he sees the positive reception from the crowd and the players following the conclusion of the league.

“The fans looked like they enjoyed this more than the players and that’s what’s so great about this league,” he went on to say.  “They followed us here to the Hosiery and they have been very supportive by cheering the guys on.  I think it inspires the guys to play harder and it makes the game more fun for everyone.”