Dwarf Giraffe Major Division Playoffs
In front of a sold-out DG crowd, Lee’s Jewel Box defeated Whitestone Pet Center, 60-50, to win the Major Division Championship. After winning Game 1 at home Sunday, Lee’s had to play at Whitestone Pet Center to capture the crown.
With the game tied at 6 and Whitestone star Mena Yacoub on the bench, Lee’s Jewel Box went on a 16-4 run late in the first quarter to grab a 22-10 lead. Whitestone Pet Center came within four points late in the first half, but with key baskets by Mike Giaccio, Oscar Martinez and Anthony Scifo, Lee’s Jewel Box proved to be too much.
Mena tried to keep the game close, but Lee’s swarming defense and late free throws were just too much. “He’s a fantastic player,” Lee head coach Gary Schreiber said of Mena, “but I have a tremendous player of my own in Giaccio and all my players were up for the challenge.”
Lee’s Jewel Box was led by Giaccio with 27 points, Martinez added eight, Scifo had 14, Kumwar Singh had 6 and Tommy Schreiber added three. Rock-solid rebounding and defense by Joe Lumley and Robert Checo rounded out a full team effort. Mena Yacoub led Whitestone Pet Center with 19, Glen Barker with 11 and Patrick and Ari Santos with eight.
Dwarf Giraffe Girls’ A Division Playoffs
The first-place Cristom Construction team defeated Graham Restoration, 23-6, in its first playoff game. Cristom Construction was led by the scoring of Jenna Schiffman, Nicole Naposki and Meaghan Callahan, and defense by Christa LiTrenta, Christina DeVito and Melissa Bellomo. Cristom Construction now plays Verdi’s Restaurant for the league championship. Congratulations to Graham Restoration on a nice season.
Verdi’s Restaurant took a quick lead over Cristom Construction in the first game of the finals, scoring nine unanswered points in the first quarter. Verdi’s offense shined as the crowd was dazzled with Jessica Piccolino’s three breakaway layups, Katie McGrory’s uncontested baseline sinker and Angelica Rodriquez’s and Rei Lem’s incredible shots under pressure.
Britany Naposki, Angela Rodriguez and Rei Lem took advantage of Cristom’s fouls by sinking five foul shots between them. Michele Lee was aggressive at the boards as she brought down rebounds.
Cristom fought back in the second and third quarters to narrow the lead from 10 points to a precarious three points. Rei Lem increased Verdi’s lead to five with a driving layup. Verdi’s outstanding defense was key in shutting down Cristom again in the fourth quarter.
Meaghan Callahan played an aggressive game for Cristom with nine points from under the boards and persistent rebounding efforts. Jenna Shiffman got off a shot for two points from the baseline and Nicole Naposki was held to two foul shots. The final score was Verdi’s 18, Cristom 13.
In a very exciting championship series, Cristom Construction defeated Verdis Restaurant 2 games to 1 to win the championship. Cristom Construction won the third game, 21-17. Coaches Ted Schiffman and Ruth Naposki are very proud of all their championship players.
Their names are Nicole Naposki, Meaghan Callahan, Jenna Schiffman, Christa LiTrenta, Christina DeVito, Melissa Bellomo and Melanie Vega. Congratulations to Jessica Piccolino, Brittany Naposki and the rest of Verdi’s Restaurant on a great season.
Dwarf Giraffe Novice A Division
The DG Novice A basketball season ended in thrilling fashion Saturday as Sarcona Management pulled out a 12-10 victory over Pee Wee Folks. Both teams played a tight defensive game, with the score remaining tied at 10 until the final minute of play.
For Sarcona Management, Ashley Schwenk scored six points, Peter Babatsikos scored four points and Kalena Harris scored two points. George Brockmann, Tom Sharkey, Logan Varankoviz, Sabena Rivera and Lefty Tsereidis chipped in on defense and offense.
Pee Wee Folks had scoring from Jeraldy Montenegro, who had four points; Jonathan Ho, with four points; and Brandon Ho, who scored two points.
The teams had a great season and now can’t wait for their hard-earned trophies, which will be presented on April 17 at the DG facility.
