Tulsa Celtics Smothering DEFENSE propels them into FINALS!!

Tulsa Celtics
Tied at 21 at halftime, we addressed the tournament situation. With the possibility of a THREE WAY TIE, we needed to win by at LEAST four points to insure a spot in the Championship game.

I told the team that we needed to win by 10.

Our early 11-4 lead dissipated when Coach began substitution. Players weren't thinking; weren't in basketball mentality. Two men were playing man to man, and 3 Celtics were in zone. I think we all needed another cup of coffee before this morning tipoff. Dominique of the Junior Athletes in Action finished 3 uncontested point blank shots. Lackadaisical turnovers aided the Junior Athletes and we fell behind. Two late shots helped us tie the game at halftime, 21-21.

McIlroy, Santos, Reynolds, Morton and Shannon started the 2nd half. Brock knocked down two straight three's before finding Matt Reynolds at the top of the key for another 3 and we opened up a 34-21 as our defensive intensity was peaked. We gave them only one shot and helped out on the very quick Athletes. It was quite a defensive display!

We won by nine points and are in the championship tonight.