Blacks Overcome Slow Start to Defeat Blues in Semifinal Round

Facing a 16-11 deficit, the Black squad was on the verge of suffering a shocking defeat. Instead a furious game-ending surge proved to be the difference in Tuesday night’s Outdoor Basketball League semifinal action.

Dan Lesser and Zach Miles paved the way for a game ending 12-6 run as the Blacks escaped with a 25-23 win over the Blues. With the win, the second-seeded Blacks advance to Thursday night’s first ever championship at the Wayland High School outdoor courts where they’ll face the Corals for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

As a result, the Blacks improved to 9-1 while the Blues finished their season at 4-8 overall.

With the start of the game delayed more than 10 minutes due to lack of players, both teams were scurrying to finalize their starting lineups and rotations.

“It was tough because we had some key guys out of the lineup,’’ said Lesser, who chipped in with six points in the win. “We were able to get some guys to help us out and get a steady rotation of players. We were able to stay focused when the game was on the line, and now we’re hoping we can close out the deal on Thursday.”

In the game’s opening moments, the Blues streaked out to a 4-1 lead on a pair of baskets followed by a two-point shot from the top of the key by Matt Bernstein.

After a two-point shot by the Blacks closed the deficit to 4-3, both teams traded baskets before the Blues engineered a 5-0 run. Following a slash to the basket, the Blues nailed several jumpers from inside the free throw line en route to a shocking 13-8 lead.

“We were clicking on all cylinders,’’ said Bernstein, who led the Blues with a team high 10 points. “We got a little tired, and then the (Blacks) got some second wind. They took it to us in the end, and we just couldn’t finish things off.”

A pair of jumpers by the Blacks closed the gap to 13-10, but the Blues responded with baskets by Bobby McCourt and Adam Lewin en route to the five point edge.

Trailing 17-13, the Blacks broke through on a 3-0 run to cut it to 17-16, but Bernstein nailed another two-point shot as the Blues grabbed a 19-16 edge.

Battling back, the Blacks erupted on a backbreaking 7-0 run, transforming a three-point deficit into a four-point lead.

Ian Bonner nailed a jumper from the top of the key before a Lesser three pointer from the right arc handed the Blacks a 21-19 lead. Jumpers by Miles and Bonner followed to cap the 7-0 run as the Blacks garnered a four-point edge.

Bernstein and McCourt guided the Blues on a 3-0 run, capitalizing on a pair of fast break opportunities and a jump shot, trimming the lead to 23-22. With a 24-23 lead in hand, the Blacks squandered several earlier opportunities to close out the contest, before Lesser’s jumper from just inside the three-point arc secured the win.

“It’s a great win, and we’re hoping to carry the momentum into Thursday,’’ said Lesser. “It should be a lot of fun.”