Boys playoff game 1 - Teiwazs School (ranked 2nd) 47-25
First quarter and we are up 12-7 behind the dominating performance by Andrew. Continuing his dominance by scoring 16 of the first 20 team points, including 3 and one's, QSIT took a 20-9 lead mid way through the second quarter, aided by put backs by Spencer and Ruslan, and an incredible 3 steals by Terence. We are up at half-time 24-13 and 40-25 at the end of the third. The fourth quarters opened up with Luka shutting down the opponents best player, Ruslan and Sasha with steals, Guy hitting clutch free throws, and Marko with a buzzer beating 2, QSIT was able to maintain their lead over the second ranked team for a victory of 47-25.
Girls playoff game 1 - KIS (ranked 1st) 37-24
With a very tough first quarter against the home team and tournament favorite, the girls increased their intensity in the second. Miriam led the team with multiple assists and Nana controlled the point. Abby drained a rainbow of a shot at the buzzer to bring the half time score to 24-12. Coming out of the third quarter QSIT went on a massive 10-2 run behind Liza's and one. The fourth quarter was very tight with KIS taking the final lead and the win at 37-24.
Boys playoff game 2, semifinals - KIS
The first quarter ended with a KIS lead and high tensions. In the second quarter Luka took control of the boards and knocked down a few free throws, closing the gap. Terence made an and one and Ruslan a baseline jumper, swinging momentum to QSIT. In the fourth quarter, KIS built a sizable lead, but the game finished with a great steak and assist by Avery to Spencer. Playing two games before lunch proved to be too difficult to overcome, but we're still playing for 3rd/4th.
Skills Challenge
Spencer made 8 3's in one minute, earning first place overall (tied). Competing in a 30 second shoot off, Spencer made 3 3's tying again! A sudden death shoot off for first to make a 3 pointer, wins, with Spencer finishing second overall for the entire tournament. Amazing job Spencer! Liza shot incredibly well, hitting two in a row to start. Liza lost by just one shot to the overall winner.
Girls game 2 - PSI 3rd/4th - 22-21
After jumping out to a huge lead in the first half behind the scoring of Liza and Abby, PSI caught up to within 2 midway through the 4th quarter. Liza had a great assist to Nana to put the lead up to 4. With the defensive stops by Ana and Mia, QSIT pushed through the 4th quarter. PSI made a last second shot, that would have won them the game, however they released the ball as the buzzer sounded... sealing our victory! 3rd place overall!
Boys game 3 - KCA 3rd/4th - 41-38
With a stout defense and multiple 3 pointers from Andrew and Spencer, QSIT took a 16-10 1st quarter lead. We held KCA scoreless for the next six minutes, but afterwards they closed the gap to 23-21, our lead. The boys jumped out to a hot start in the 3rd with 3's by Spencer and Terence. We finished the third quarter down 32-31. The fourth quarter was equally competitive, and after a short break for the score keepers to correct both teams scores, QSIT came back with vengeance. However, KCA was able to maintain their lead until the end. But, our boys finished 4th place! Something to be very proud of!
First quarter and we are up 12-7 behind the dominating performance by Andrew. Continuing his dominance by scoring 16 of the first 20 team points, including 3 and one's, QSIT took a 20-9 lead mid way through the second quarter, aided by put backs by Spencer and Ruslan, and an incredible 3 steals by Terence. We are up at half-time 24-13 and 40-25 at the end of the third. The fourth quarters opened up with Luka shutting down the opponents best player, Ruslan and Sasha with steals, Guy hitting clutch free throws, and Marko with a buzzer beating 2, QSIT was able to maintain their lead over the second ranked team for a victory of 47-25.
Girls playoff game 1 - KIS (ranked 1st) 37-24
With a very tough first quarter against the home team and tournament favorite, the girls increased their intensity in the second. Miriam led the team with multiple assists and Nana controlled the point. Abby drained a rainbow of a shot at the buzzer to bring the half time score to 24-12. Coming out of the third quarter QSIT went on a massive 10-2 run behind Liza's and one. The fourth quarter was very tight with KIS taking the final lead and the win at 37-24.
Boys playoff game 2, semifinals - KIS
The first quarter ended with a KIS lead and high tensions. In the second quarter Luka took control of the boards and knocked down a few free throws, closing the gap. Terence made an and one and Ruslan a baseline jumper, swinging momentum to QSIT. In the fourth quarter, KIS built a sizable lead, but the game finished with a great steak and assist by Avery to Spencer. Playing two games before lunch proved to be too difficult to overcome, but we're still playing for 3rd/4th.
Skills Challenge
Spencer made 8 3's in one minute, earning first place overall (tied). Competing in a 30 second shoot off, Spencer made 3 3's tying again! A sudden death shoot off for first to make a 3 pointer, wins, with Spencer finishing second overall for the entire tournament. Amazing job Spencer! Liza shot incredibly well, hitting two in a row to start. Liza lost by just one shot to the overall winner.
Girls game 2 - PSI 3rd/4th - 22-21
After jumping out to a huge lead in the first half behind the scoring of Liza and Abby, PSI caught up to within 2 midway through the 4th quarter. Liza had a great assist to Nana to put the lead up to 4. With the defensive stops by Ana and Mia, QSIT pushed through the 4th quarter. PSI made a last second shot, that would have won them the game, however they released the ball as the buzzer sounded... sealing our victory! 3rd place overall!
Boys game 3 - KCA 3rd/4th - 41-38
With a stout defense and multiple 3 pointers from Andrew and Spencer, QSIT took a 16-10 1st quarter lead. We held KCA scoreless for the next six minutes, but afterwards they closed the gap to 23-21, our lead. The boys jumped out to a hot start in the 3rd with 3's by Spencer and Terence. We finished the third quarter down 32-31. The fourth quarter was equally competitive, and after a short break for the score keepers to correct both teams scores, QSIT came back with vengeance. However, KCA was able to maintain their lead until the end. But, our boys finished 4th place! Something to be very proud of!
Our girls team finished 3rd overall in the tournament, ending with a 2-2 record and four great games played. The boys finished 4th in the tournament, knocking out the 2nd seeded team in the first round.
Head coaches from each team were asked to select 5 boys and 5 girls for special awards - 1st team all tournament. Not only did we have 1 boy and 1 girl chosen, but they also won tournament MVP with more votes than any other boy or girl. Congratulations to Liza and Andrew!
For the boys, Andrew led the tournament in points, free throws attempted, free throws made, free throw percentage, and rebounds. Terence was in the top 5 for steals and Spencer was for 3 pointers made. The girls had two in the top 10 for rebounds - Abby and Nana. Mia, Taisia, and Liza also added stellar defensive performances.
We have had a great time playing and growing together as teams and friends. Our next big tournament will be held at QSI Tbilisi in February. Open gym and practices will continue during winter break, but this upcoming week will be a break from basketball.
Overall it was a great tournament and I am very proud of our coaches - John, Kaha, and Davide - who coached 9 games in 2 days. Oftentimes, they had to coach for 5+ hours without taking a break, as they are so dedicated to our teams! And our athletes fought and played hard, never once giving up or complaining. QSIT really set an example of how to play and have great sportsmanship. We won a lot, as teams and individuals, but it was the way we carried ourselves that really makes our kids and coaches special.
Thank you to Mr. Hostetter for the pictures and text for the article.
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