In the Greenville Park Commission Men’s Basketball League, the Dream Chasers have a few similarities to the Golden State Warriors. This team of former and current college basketball players made its fourth consecutive appearance in the league championship game Thursday night at Wards Recreation Center. Pulling off a 59-57 victory in overtime against Greenwood, the Dream Chasers captured their second consecutive title.
“This was by far the toughest run that we’ve made at the championship,” said Dream Chasers head coach Charlie Washington. “The teams have gotten better over the years and the competition has gotten tighter.”
There were some unsure moments for the champs late in the contest. As regulation expired, there appeared to be a technical foul called on one of Greenwood’s players. The call got overturned. Had it stood; the Dream Chasers would have gone to the line with 1.1 seconds left in the game with the score tied at 52. When the call was waived off, Dream Chasers forward Curtis Stuckey said, “We didn’t want it like that anyway.”
The game went into overtime tied at 52 and the Dream Chasers defense prevailed.
Stuckey and point guard Glen Ford came up with key steals in the extra frame when Greenwood had a chance to take the lead. And likewise, teammate Eric Brown drew a charge on Greenwood guard DeAndre Williams down the stretch. As the overtime expired, the Dream Chasers remained aggressive, driving to the basket and drawing fouls on
three consecutive possession. However, on each trip to the free throw line, they were only about to convert one out of two on those possession.
The Dream Chasers stuck with the plan of attacking the basket on a fourth straight possession. And when forward Harry Williams drew the foul, he calmly stepped to the line a knocked down two free throws with 2.4 seconds remaining in overtime to seal the victory. On Greenwood’s final possession, Williams heaved s desperation shot from just inside half court that sailed over the backboard.
“The was a great season with former high school and college superstars.” Said Greenville Parks and Rec league coordinator Kyla Winford. “There were nine teams with one form Lake Village and another one from Greenwood. The league is growing, and the competition is strong.”
The champs cosigned Winford’s assessment of the league. “Our guys are going to get right back in the gym and get ready for the next season,” Washington said. “We’ll continue to play and practice until the next season arrives.”
