Final Recap

In a game with a thrilling finish, Upstate Swagger completed a fourth quarter comeback to beat Team Motivated and earn the crown of King of Kings Summer Pro-Am Champions with a final score of 70-67.

At the start of the game, it looked as if Upstate Swagger would not be able to hang with Team Motivated. Without three-point sharpshooter Scott Knapp, Upstate Swagger came out of the gate playing sloppy basketball, going down 13-2 in the first four minutes.

At the end of the first quarter, the lead was 26-13 in favor of Team Motivated. Led by Syracuse University’s Brandon Triche and Dajuan Coleman, Team Motivated seemed to be dominating every aspect of the game. At halftime, Team Motivated was up on Upstate Swagger 45-34.

Upstate Swagger faced a double-digit deficit heading into the fourth quarter. It was in the fourth that the number one seed turned their game on. Sean Burton tied the game with 2 free throws at 62-62 with under five minutes to go in the game. From there, it was a back and forth battle until the end.

Upstate Swagger first took the lead with 2:12 remaining in the game on a Nick Grimmer Layup. From there they never looked back, despite constant offensive pressure by Team Motivated.

Team Motivated certainly had chances to take the lead late, but their shots just didn’t fall. One might question their shot selection late; Coleman chucked up two off balanced threes within the final 80 seconds of the game. However, one may credit the defense of Upstate Swagger with forcing the ball to their opponents worst shooter.

Upstate Swagger finished the season 9-1, starting the season on a four game win streak and finishing as champions on a five game win streak. This is the team’s second title in the past three years. Upstate Swagger looks forward to next season and their attempt to defend their title champs in the King of Kings 2013, the life development programs eighth season.