In this matchup where Beyond Ball clearly had the height advantage, the JBA Crusaders overcame that with ease en-route to a 62-42 title win.

The two squads traded buckets early, neither looked like they were going to break away from each other. Beyond’s Omaha Biliew, a 6’7” eighth-grader, bullied his way into the paint for an easy bucket in first half. Immediately after, JBA’s Beza Miller converted two tough and-ones at the rim to maintain striking distance. Beyond’s Trajin Sain had a mean block in the first half to give his squad some defensive juice.

But, it didn’t last.

After Biliew left the game to tend to a small injury, the Crusaders went on a 10-3 run over a three-minute span and never looked back. Mark Flakus snapped for 18 second-half points, stayed aggressive in going to the hole, drawing contact, and finishing. Did his best to set up teammates, as well. 

Beza Miller finished with 19 points and hit three treys in the process.

JBA coach Matt Flakus praised his team for the effort they showed, going against a team that was clearly bigger in size—but not heart.

“Can’t say enough about our guys,” “They’re quiet kids, but they’re tough kids. Sometimes in this day & age, people think the tough guy is the guy that yells a lot. These are tough dudes, and they really play well, together. It’s a big team effort.”