Danny’s Boys 99 vs. Wolfpack 85
I think many of us would agree in saying that last night was the best night the PGBL has ever had. From the All-Star game that was so much fun, to the first annual 3 point shootout and finally a hell of a Championship game. The house was packed with friends, family and fans all there to support their favorite athletes in a showcase of the Delaware Valley’s best Greek basketball talents.
Let’s get to the game, and boy was it a great one with high quality basketball for 40 minutes. The Wolfpack came out strong and took a commanding double digit lead early in the first half, showing a balanced attack and great interior defense. I was impressed with the unity and cohesiveness of the Pack’s offense. From the ball movement to the set play calls, the Wolfpack showed they’ve grown together and become a great team. This was something I was concerned with early this season. George Vlahos led his team with 37 points, 13 in the first half, and a strong 24 points in the second. Let me just say, Vlahos is an animal. He’s one of the best players in the history of the PGBL and he’s still young! His ability to get to the free throw line, where he was 17-21, is clearly unmatched nobody can do what he does, as well as him. George and Lou Karapanagiotides carried their team on their backs at times. Louie hit some huge short range jumpers in the second half to stay in the lead but the Pack lost Lou to an injury with 8 minutes left in the game. Aris Haritonidis (16pts) stepped up when his number was called, hitting some late game 3 pointers, helping his team stay in it, but it wasn’t enough. Once Danny’s Boys went on that big second half run, they wouldn’t look back.
That big second half run was ignited by none other that Pete Kathopoulis. Your 2013-14 PGBL MVP, Finals MVP and Scoring Champion! The only other player to accomplish the “Ultimate Season” is Chris Vasiliou, back in the PGBL’s opening season 2007-08. Give credit to the Wolfpack defense for holding Pete to 9 points in the first half, but when crunch time came, Kathopoulis turned it up. Pete scored 26 points in the 2nd half! A strong performance, an MVP performance. Let’s not forget about a couple other guys, first of which is Kosta Nikolos. Kosta has been on the verge of winning a championship for many years now, but just couldn’t get over the hump. Appearing in the last 3 PGBL Finals only to take home 2nd place, he is now a champion thanks to his 24 points, 4-4 from free throw and solid rebounding and defense all night long. The other guy who’s been with Nikolos the whole time is Zeke Economides. Zeke is also familiar with 2nd place, he seems to be runner up for Defensive Player of the Year every season including this one! But now he has something he’s worked hard for, a ring. Zeke scored 11 big time points but it was his hustle, rebounding and defense that powered his team toward the win. Congratulations to Danny’s Boys and lets see if they can do what only 1 team has done in PGBL History… REPEAT!
Thank you for supporting Mr. PGBL and reading my columns every week and I hope to be back doing this next season!