JCC prepares for GPIBL playoffs

The JCC Boys’ Varsity Team defeated Urban Impact by a score of 49-47, Tuesday, Feb. 14, to finish their regular season on a high note.

The win moved the JCC to 11-3 on the season and tied for the second place in the Greater Pittsburgh Independent Basketball League (GPIBL) with Pittsburgh Project.

“We knew that the Urban Impact game was going to be a very difficult one,” JCC Head Coach Andy Pakler said. “We know that they have a pretty good team and we also have a past history with them, so they like to come to our gym and really challenge us.”

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The defending GPIBL champions, the JCC opened post-season and defense of their title, Monday, Feb. 20, at the Jewish Community Center against Northside Urban Pathways (NUP).

“I am looking for all of our seniors to play with a sense of desperation, knowing that it may potentially be their last game” Pakler said. “I’ve asked the seniors to really lay it all out there and play every single possession.”

A win would set up a likely rematch with Pittsburgh Project, against whom the JCC split its season series. That match would take place at the JCC, as Pittsburgh Project does not have a home gym.

“We would be extremely excited to play in that game.” Pakler said. “We felt that Pittsburgh Project caught us on an off night, when they beat us. They beat us at the buzzer, which means that we were in the game. We feel confident that if we put it all together, we should be able to take care of business.”

(Zachary Weiss can be reached at yngzc@yahoo.com.)