16U Classic City Ballers survived a tough showing from Warriors Life Elite, but took home the Orange Bracket Championship with a 71-69 win.

Both teams started HOT, each scoring 20 points within the first 10 minutes of the game. CCB’s Nick Huff started strong with a quick 10 points in the paint, bullying his way through tough WLE defense. 

Warriors hoopers JD Daniels and MJ Williams made an impact on both ends of the floor, scoring eight first-half points of their own & altering plays on the defensive end. Tyler Whitehurst, WLE’s primary point guard, was an absolute pest on defense as he came up with timely steals & easy fastbreak layups. He finished with a team-high 18 points. Warriors Elite led 41-35 at the half.

After CCB guard Jay Carruth hit a three to start the second half, WLE’s Teshon Brock took that personally. 

Next possession, Brock bottled-up Carruth down low & blocked his floater, earned a tough rebound just seconds later. Midway through the half, CCB’s Trip Thompson sank a tough and-one layup, followed by DaShaun Keith getting a steal and finish to tie it at 51.

Williams quieted the crowd with a wing trey to put WLE back in-front. They didn’t trail for the rest of the game. CCB came within two with 2:42 to go after Trip hit a corner triple, but Williams drilled another three from the wing, drawing a DEEP sigh from the Classic City crowd.

That sigh wouldn’t last long. With seven seconds left and a game tied at 69, Huff sank two clutch free throws to give them a 71-69 lead. Williams missed a half-court heave, and the Classic City Ballers took home the crown.

Huff ended the game with 24 points. Carruth finished with 15. Trip earned 11. Grant Smith had 10 with two treys.