The NCAA Tournament has been part of the annual culmination of the men’s college basketball season since 1939, growing from an 8-team competition to a 68-team bonanza. Several incredible moments come to define the tournament each year, as future NBA stars become known before they make any money for the game. Other legendary players and teams are able to cement their names in college basketball lore for the excellence they can show in this tournament. The madness of March Madness isn’t all about how much money people make from their brackets, even though that very phenomenon is becoming vastly popular around the country. Some players and teams are able to fulfill their basketball dreams, and reach the goals they want to reach before going pro, by making it to the Final Four, or even winning it all.
Cinderellas
The most recent Cinderella stories are still widely discussed for the magic they produced. In 2006, George Mason became only the 2nd 11th-seeded team to ever reach the Final four. Led by Jai Lewis and Tony Skinn, the Patriots defeated powers such as Michigan State, North Carolina, and top-seeded Connecticut before finally falling to the eventual champions, Florida. Florida would repeat as champions the next season behind future NBA players like Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Al Horford.
In 2008, future NBA star Stephen Curry led 10th-seeded Davidson to the Elite Eight, where they lost by 2 points to the eventual champions, Kansas. Curry became the 4th player to ever score 30 or more points in each of his first three tournament games.
One of the most epic Cinderella stories was Villanova’s in 1985. The 8th-seeded Wildcats won the championship that year, shooting 78% from the field to shock future Knick legend Patrick Ewing and Georgetown.
Future NBA Superstars
Larry Bird and Magic Johnson will always be remembered for being two of the greatest NBA players of all time. They both won titles, dominated opponents, and had a fierce rivalry with one another. Their rivalry actually began when they were in college, in the 1979 NCAA Tournament Championship Game. Magic was able to lead his Michigan State Spartans over Bird’s undefeated Indiana State Sycamores in what still ranks as the highest rated college basketball game ever. Magic and Larry would meet countless times when Johnson’s Lakers took on Bird’s Celtics in games that usually had a lot at stake.
Beyond the Game
Of the many key moments in the civil rights history of black people, one of the most important sports breakthroughs came in 1966. Texas Western, now called UTEP, brought its all-black starting five against the all-white starting five of Kentucky in the national championship game. This marked the first time a team started five black players in a title game, and they were going up against the top-ranked Wildcats and their legendary coach, Adolph Rupp. Texas Western shocked the world by defeating Kentucky 72-65, opening the door for black college basketball players around the country. The magical story is documented in James Gartner’s movie, Glory Road.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Mount Vernon Does it Again
As competitive as basketball is in Section 1, one powerhouse school seems to claim the section championship every year. The funny thing is; they actually do. Mount Vernon defeated Poughkeepsie 64-58 to win their 6th straight Class AA section championship, which is a Section 1 record. They have won 28 section titles in the school’s history, and have now won four straight title games against Poughkeepsie. Superstar senior guard Jabarie Hinds, who is headed to West Virginia University next year, won his 5th section title, a section record for a player. Hinds was held to 9 points because of foul trouble, but was able to put his stamp on the game with a monster dunk over Poughkeepsie’s Jermar Dancy. Hinds was also fouled on the play.
6’6” senior forward Jamell Walker had 15 points and 10 rebounds, including 10 points and 9 rebounds in the 2nd half, and was named MVP of the tournament. Another senior, Damani Ashton, stepped up big time with 15 points with three–pointers. Head coach Bob Cimmino made sure that some younger talent got some experience on the grand stage at the Westchester County Center, including sophomore Joshua Doughty, who hit a key shot late and played lockdown defense.
Poughkeepsie was led by the superstar senior forward, Nate Gause, who finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Gause hit several key shots down the stretch in the Pioneers’ late rally, and also had 3 rim-rocking slam dunks in the game. Classmate Elijah McLaurin finished with 15 points and 5 assists.
Poughkeepsie was awarded 2 free-throws and the ball to start the game after Mount Vernon received a technical foul for dunking in warm-ups. Nevertheless, the Knights stormed out to an 18-8 lead. When Hinds sat for the entire 2nd quarter with 2 fouls, McLaurin led a comeback by knocking down jumpers and tightening up on defense. Poughkeepsie was eventually able to take a one-point lead in the 4th quarter, but Walker and the Knights dominated the rebounding battle, and Mount Vernon took home yet another gold ball. The Knights dedicated the win to Marquis Abney, a former player who died recently in a car crash.
Mount Vernon advances to the regional semifinals, where they will take on rival Newburgh Free Academy on Tuesday in the County Center. The Knights and the Goldbacks have faced off in 4 straight seasons, with the Knights winning in ’07 and ’08, and Newburgh winning the last two seasons. In ’09, Newburgh won 61-60 on a halfcourt buzzer-beater by Will Bouton, and went on to win a state title. In ’10, the Goldbacks held Hinds to 5 points and 4 fouls in their win over Mount Vernon. Hinds must step up in order to beat NFA this season, and the Knights must improve on their 7 for 21 free-throw shooting against Poughkeepsie. Mount Vernon seems to be on a mission once again, and Hinds is hungry for revenge as this season’s Knight’s try to stake their place in Mount Vernon lore.
6’6” senior forward Jamell Walker had 15 points and 10 rebounds, including 10 points and 9 rebounds in the 2nd half, and was named MVP of the tournament. Another senior, Damani Ashton, stepped up big time with 15 points with three–pointers. Head coach Bob Cimmino made sure that some younger talent got some experience on the grand stage at the Westchester County Center, including sophomore Joshua Doughty, who hit a key shot late and played lockdown defense.
Poughkeepsie was led by the superstar senior forward, Nate Gause, who finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Gause hit several key shots down the stretch in the Pioneers’ late rally, and also had 3 rim-rocking slam dunks in the game. Classmate Elijah McLaurin finished with 15 points and 5 assists.
Poughkeepsie was awarded 2 free-throws and the ball to start the game after Mount Vernon received a technical foul for dunking in warm-ups. Nevertheless, the Knights stormed out to an 18-8 lead. When Hinds sat for the entire 2nd quarter with 2 fouls, McLaurin led a comeback by knocking down jumpers and tightening up on defense. Poughkeepsie was eventually able to take a one-point lead in the 4th quarter, but Walker and the Knights dominated the rebounding battle, and Mount Vernon took home yet another gold ball. The Knights dedicated the win to Marquis Abney, a former player who died recently in a car crash.
Mount Vernon advances to the regional semifinals, where they will take on rival Newburgh Free Academy on Tuesday in the County Center. The Knights and the Goldbacks have faced off in 4 straight seasons, with the Knights winning in ’07 and ’08, and Newburgh winning the last two seasons. In ’09, Newburgh won 61-60 on a halfcourt buzzer-beater by Will Bouton, and went on to win a state title. In ’10, the Goldbacks held Hinds to 5 points and 4 fouls in their win over Mount Vernon. Hinds must step up in order to beat NFA this season, and the Knights must improve on their 7 for 21 free-throw shooting against Poughkeepsie. Mount Vernon seems to be on a mission once again, and Hinds is hungry for revenge as this season’s Knight’s try to stake their place in Mount Vernon lore.
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