Last year we featured the B division to give to give more teams an opportunity to participate in the National tournament at a level they were comfortable with. The B tournament was just as exciting this year as the A tournament with some very compelling games and players.
Dallas Prodigies- This year's champions had the tournament dates written down last year after their heart breaking last second shot loss. Yasser made the key acquisition of getting a playmaker in Omar who was the difference throughout. Ahmid Sabir (MVP) led a patient offense that slowly put teams away.
Delta Epsilon Psi- Led by some former Bandits Young guns, Delta is a post player away from winning it all in at least the B division and challenging for a playoff spot in A. They have very nice playmakers in Samir Khoja and a steady leader in Maulik Shah.
Maryland Kuthas- Former 5 Pillars Kush Malothra, Gurave Batta, and Shiraz Huesain brought together a very well organized and fun team to compete in the B tournament. Kuthas dominated bracket play and were challenged only in the playoffs. The Kuthas ran into a very hot and determined Prodigies team that kept them from the finals. It's refreshing to see a team travel for a B division tournament.
Texas 2 Step- Does a combination of Dallas and Houston young talent win Championships? The answer is you can get close but probably not win. Two step were up and down throughout the tournament. They lost to teams that they should have beat and beat teams that they should have lost to.
California A team- When you come into Sunday from partying all night and working on few hours sleep and trying to adjust to central daylight time, the best you can hope for is to survive the opening round and regroup. That didn't happen as California ran into a Prodigies team that were ready to play. It's always great to see a traveling team that plays for the fun of the game.
Tiger Bombs- This team has passion and are led by Shawn Varkey. One of the best matchups was in the Elite 8 between the old Deltas (Tiger Bomb) and the present day Delta Epsilon Psi fraternity. Past their Prime may be just that but they play for the love of the game and that is great to witness.
UTA Kings- Another team that is up and down throughout the tournament. They had great games against some teams and some forgettable ones against others. Kings need to polish up their game and learn to play with each other more in other tournaments.
Encore- A very surprising young team that needs to play together in more tournaments. Dressed in their Long Horns Orange, the elite 8 OT battle with Two step was classic with both teams going back and forth with big shots after big shots. In the End, 2 step prevailed but this was one of the best games in the tournament.
Houston Young Guns- Lack of scoring punch and bad defense don't make a good combination in Indopak tournaments. This group just needs to continue to stay together, play more together as a team and come up the B division ranks.
Southern Smoke- When you show up to Sunday's game late, you already told everyone that you winning was not important. Unfortunately, on Sundays tournament coordinators can have no leniency and must adhere to the scheduling rules which in Dallas is game time is forfeit time. There are too many teams that have to catch flights or have other engagements for us to be strict with our scheduling. This is a learning lesson for not only Southern Smoke, but all teams to show up not just on time, but early to games.
GP soldiers- Wow! Last year's runner ups couldn't win a game as they were dominated in every game. Injuries and lack of practice showed themselves as the Soldiers were just not there throughout the tournament.
St. Gregorios- Started off the tournament with a shocking upset of GP soldiers on Friday night; however as we saw later that the Soldiers were not the same team. They played Tiger Bombs tough in the playoffs but an up and down tournament at best. A good start for a team that will only get better.
