During the 2017 season, J&R’s Mob, led by 22 points from Jamahl “J-Dub” Brown, took down defending champion Core to capture the P.I.T.S League Championship 77-66 in an ultra-competitive match-up. Entering the current 2018 campaign, J&R’s Mob knew they would be the hunted and they stepped up to the challenge, securing the #1 seed in the playoffs after a 5-1 regular season record. Now, it’s do or die.
First round of the P.I.T.S League playoffs kickoff today with four games in the Men’s Bracket. 8th seed Virginia Pride takes on the dangerous 9th seeded Sams Ballers, who no doubt will be at full strength at 2pm. In the second game, 7th seed Young Kings faces 10th seed N.O.T.M.E ENT. at 3pm, followed by 4th seed Black Power battling 5th seed Bottom of the 5 and the first round concludes with 3rd seed No Losses x Rich Grillz in a for sure dog fight against 6th seed Bassline. Top seed J&R’s Mob and 2nd seed Core both received first round byes. J&R’s Mob will face the winner of Virginia Pride and Sam’s Ballers while Core will face the winner of Young Kings and N.O.T.M.E ENT. Take a look at the x-factors for each team below.
2pm
#8 Virginia Pride (2-5)
Keep an eye on:
Travis Berry – Averaged a P.I.T.S League Leading 26.9 points per game. Rookie of the year candidate.
Scott Williams – VA Prides top defender and P.I.T.S League defensive player of the year candidate.
#9 Sams Ballers (2-5)
Keep an eye on:
Christian Macauley – 6’8 freak athlete who is arguably the top all around big in the league.
Donte Nicholas – (Pictured Above) Versatile floor general who can score and facilitate with the best guards in the league.
Isaac Thornton – Relentless scorer with parking lot range.
3pm
#7 Young Kings (2-4)
Keep an eye on:
Chris Howard – Crafty, highly skilled point guard who is as dangerous making plays for others as he is looking to score.
Cliff Dixon – Skilled, athletic forward who can shoot it from all three levels and is lethal scoring in transition.
Devin Sweetney – One of the best natural scorers in the league.
#10 N.O.T.M.E ENT. (1-6)
Keep an eye on:
Jerome Jones – Team's top scoring threat.
4pm
#4 Black Power (4-3)
Keep an eye on:
D’Angelo Vaughn – Explosive, scoring guard who can knock it down from anywhere.
Micah Till – Dangerous, skilled forward who can get it done inside and outside.
#5 Bottom of the 5 (4-3)
Keep an eye on:
Derrell Armstrong – Averaged 24.2 points a game, can score from all three levels.
Myron Howe – Athletic guard who is one of the more dangerous slashers in the league.
5pm
#3 No Losses x Rich Grillz (5-2)
Keep an eye on:
Rodney Clark – All around threat who put himself into MVP discussions this season and his team into contender discussions.
Nate Flowers – Former MVP candidate is one of the more efficient scorers in the league.
Ra’eese Hunt – Sixth man of the year candidate. Big time spark off the bench.
#6 Bassline (4-3)
Keep an eye on:
Troy Dockett- Dockett has been on a rampage all season long, averaging 23 points a game becoming a MVP finalist.
Kory Harriott/ Byron Jones – X-Factor/ Sixth man candidates are instant playmaking, scoring and defense off the bench.
