In the inaugural season of the P.I.T.S League Women’s Division, Team Anonymous and Rene Strong emerged as contenders throughout regular season. Led by Natalie Gramblin, Ebony Edwards and Asyja Smith, Team Anonymous locked up the top seed in the playoffs with Rene Strong, led by Kendall Shepard, Catrise Cannady and Danae Hill, right on their heels with the second seed. Both teams appeared headed for a match-up in the championship with a chance to make history as the first P.I.T.S League Women’s Division champions. Third seed Black Lives Matter had other plans. After taking out second seed Rene Strong in a blow out, Black Lives Matter, led by a game high 17 points from Nickia Gibbs, upset top seed Team Anonymous to claim the 2017 P.I.T.S League Women’s Championship 47-43. That was last summer. This summer, the talent pool is deeper and there are more teams hungry to capture the championship. Team Anonymous and Rene Strong once again locked up the top two seeds while the defending champs Black Lives Matter had a rough regular season, falling dead last in the division. The Vets, Conkrete Kplayground, Maryland Jewels, Bird Gang and the Hawks all secured seeds 3-7. As the saying goes, the playoffs is a different season and in a win or go home format, anything is possible if you don’t come ready to play. With that said, check out the key players for each team as they begin their playoff push.
12pm
#1 Team Anonymous (6-1)
Keep an eye on:
Raven Gerald – Leagues best scorer, averaging 24 points a game. Also an MVP finalist.
Saadia Doyle – Another key scorer for the top seed. Finished third averaging 21.8 points per game.
Lauren Cooper – Big spark off the bench, Cooper is a quick floor general who gets it done on both ends.
#8 Black Lives Matter (2-5)
Keep an eye on:
Nequoiah Anderson – Knock down shooter emerged as one of the top sixth (wo)men in the league.
Nickia Gibbs – Slasher and efficient scorer in the paint
1pm
#4 Conkrete Kplayground (3-4)
Keep an eye on:
Jasmine Bird – One of the best scorers in the league, and an MVP candidate.
Ebony Edwards – One of the more versatile playmakers and defenders in the league
#5 Maryland Jewels (3-4)
Keep an eye on:
Danielle Pray (Pictured Above) – Rookie of the year candidate is a dangerous scorer and playmaker
Danyelle Payne - Natural scorer who can fill it up from from all three levels.
2pm
#2 Rene Strong (6-1)
Keep an eye on:
Danae Hill – MVP contender after averaging a team high 21 points a game.
Keyanna Tate – Guard/ forward who is relentless attacking the basket
#7 Hawks (2-5)
Keep an eye on:
Tejahne Malone – Forward is a walking double double, finishing fourth in the league in scoring at 21.1.
Shelby Keys – Good shooting range who can play both guard spots
Amaya Yancey – Crafty scorer, instinctive scorer
3pm
#3 The Vets (4-3)
Keep an eye on:
Chinita Nesbet – Key reserve is among the top sixth (wo)men in the league.
Ashley Jennings – Physical forward who makes her mark on the boards and scoring inside.
Kalika Francis – High IQ mid range sniper who is also an effective defender.
#6 Bird Gang (2-5)
Keep an eye on:
Destinee Jernigan – Double Double threat, emerged as a reliable inside-outside threat.
Jasmine McDonald – Elite defender and defensive player of the year candidate
AJ Johnson – Aggressive two way threat
