By Jordan Divens

Saturday’s elimination games were filled with excitement, culminating with one of the best comebacks on the AAU circuit. The atmosphere was incredible as the stands were filled, media row was completely full, and the D1 coaches were out in full force. In the first semifinal game, Mokan Elite was dominant over California Supreme, led by their star tandem of Michael Porter Jr and Trae Young. The second matchup appeared to be heading for the same result as Team Penny was leading 40-22 at the half. What happened next can only be described as “a tale of two halves”.

Quade Green came out of the break firing, scoring 15 second half points and willing his team to victory with one big shot after another. After starting the game poorly which resulted in turning the ball over four times, Green rebounded incredibly and created the spark that the PSA Cardinals needed to climb back into the game. Although Mohamed Bamba finished with just 7 points and 7 rebounds, the PSA Cardinals were able to pull off the massive comeback and fight all the way back from a 20-point deficit to earn their spot in the championship game. It was the role players who stepped up, Walter Whyte and Hasahn French provided the energy necessary to mount the huge comeback to shock a very talented Team Penny team that finished EYBL play 19-4 overall.

The 66-64 win for the PSA Cardinals left many speechless, as the entire crowd rose to their feet for the final seconds of a thrilling semifinal nightcap. The gym was buzzing after PSA Cardinals were able to outscore Team Penny 44-24 in the second half of play. After a dominant first half, Team Penny couldn’t handle the full court press of the PSA Cardinals and folded under the pressure, despite a stellar performance from 2018 PG Alex Lomax who finished 6-7 from the field and collected 5 steals, shutting down elite point guard Quade Green. In the end, the PSA Cardinals played with more intensity and used their momentum, pulling off one of the greatest comeback wins in Peach Jam history.

The stage is set for an epic championship battle, taking place tomorrow at 2 pm on ESPNU. The battle will showcase two of the best point guards in the class of 2017, as Trae Young will face off against Quade Green in a highly anticipated clash of the best two point guards in the EYBL. The other matchup to watch will be Michael Porter Jr, who has been dominant in the Peach Jam, facing off against PSA Cardinal’s prolific scorer, Brandon Randolph. In the end it may come down to who wants it more as these two very talented teams have combined for an overall record of 40-6 in EYBL play this year.

Quarterfinal Results:

PSA Cardinals over Expressions Elite 53-45
California Supreme over Team CP3 74-57
 Team Penny over The Rens 74-63
Mokan Elite over Meanstreets 99-66

Top Quarterfinals Performers:

Michael Porter Jr (Mokan Elite): 31 points, 14 rebounds, 12-19 FG
 Trae Young (Mokan Elite): 28 points, 9 assists, 6 steals, 9-10 FT
DeAndre Ayton (California Supreme): 25 points, 12 rebounds
Brian Bowen (Meanstreets): 21 points, 10 rebounds
Jordan Tucker (The Rens): 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals
Quade Green (PSA Cardinals): 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals
PJ Washington (Team Penny): 16 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists
Lavar Batts Jr (Team CP3): 20 points, 3 assists

Semifinal Matchups:

Mokan Elite over California Supreme 83-61
PSA Cardinals over Team Penny 66-64

Top Semifinal Performers:

Michael Porter Jr (Mokan Elite): 25 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists
Trae Young (Mokan Elite): 22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds
Quade Green (PSA Cardinals): 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
DeAndre Ayton (California Supreme): 18 points, 12 rebounds
Alex Lomax (Team Penny): 14 points, 4 assists, 5 steals