Lori Piestewa Tournament final: FMD vs. Assist Outbreak
FMD basketball club defeated Assist Outbreak, 69-60, in a back-and-forth final of the Lori Piestewa Native American Tournament varsity bracket.
The game hung in the balance throughout the 40 minutes, but some tough misses on late threes from Outbreak and solid free throws and lay ups from FMD iced the game, and helped the local Mesa team claim the championship.
Here are a few players that stood out:
FMD:
Tanner Poeschl played big all tournament, and his baskets late in the final closed the door on an overall excellent effort. He towered over just about anybody Assist Outbreak threw at him size-wise. He rebounded well, especially on defense, and got the right outlet pass to the team’s top guards to get into transition for easy baskets. A thunderous alley-oop with under a minute left moved the lead to 67-60 and effectively ended Assist Outbreak’s chances.
Nicholas Valencia did not seem to need to put in full-effort, especially on defense, throughout the pool play rounds, and even a large victory in the semifinals, but he locked in much more on both ends in this final. He used his big frame early and often to barrel his way to the basket for post scores and to draw fouls. When he hustled on defense, he used that same size to block and affect several shot attempts and make many of Assist Outbreak’s players think twice before heading to the basket.
Kaleb Doka had the offense humming with good passes throughout the game, playing a fast and effective style. He also made the play of the game late in the second half, with a behind-the-back dish to Poeschl under the hoop for an easy lay up.
Assist Outbreak:
Yoann Djassa was really the only player for Assist Outbreak early-on who did not play a little timidly, getting to the hole nearly every time he touched the ball. He made life difficult, as he did all tournament, for opposing guards when he locked in on defense, and came up with a few tips and steals that kept Assist Outbreak in the game.
Ricardo Villanueva probably played harder than anybody on the floor late in the game, and though his team came up short, he really never gave up on making the right plays for himself and teammates, and hustling to the correct spots. His lay ups and assists set the tempo for the team to make a run late to close the gap, but some late shooting woes from deep sunk Assist Outbreak.