By Jordan Divens

As pool play comes to an end, only eight teams advance to elimination play in tomorrow’s quarterfinal matchups. PSA Cardinals, California Supreme, The Rens, and Mokan Elite were able to win their pool and move one step closer to a coveted Peach Jam title. Meanstreets, Team Penny, Team CP3, and Expressions Elite also were able to clinch a birth in the quarterfinals as they finished runner-up in their respective Pools. Only the strong were able to survive and now the critical games begin to determine the 2016 Nike EYBL Peach Jam champions.

On day three there were three monster matchups with playoff implications, PSA Cardinals vs Meanstreets (both 3-0), Team Penny vs California Supreme (both 3-0), and the nightcap Mokan Elite (4-0) vs Howard Pulley (3-1). The battle for the top big man in the class of 2017 is tight with Mohamed Bamba and DeAndre Ayton both dominating EYBL play. Neither player disappointed in their battles for the top seed as both of their teams won behind strong performances from their dominant big men. Mohamed Bamba had an impressive 17 points and 14 rebounds and DeAndre Ayton completely controlled the game against Team Penny, forcing PJ Washington into early foul trouble, and finishing with 21 points and 16 rebounds including a number of thunderous finishes.

In the nightcap, Mokan Elite was able to knock off Howard Pulley 80-73 in overtime to finish unbeaten and eliminate Howard Pulley from the Peach Jam. In an intense game with legendary coaches lining the sidelines, the highly anticipated matchup didn’t disappoint with the gym filled to maximum capacity. Despite a lackluster shooting performance from Michael Porter Jr and Gary Trent Jr, the level of play was high and the crowd left the gym satisfied after a thrilling overtime finish. Despite Gary Trent Jr going coast-to-coast to send the game into overtime, Howard Pulley couldn’t overcome a costly technical foul in the overtime session as
Trae Young dominated throughout, finishing with 35 points, going 11-17 from the field and 13-14 from the line.

After three exciting days of action the quarterfinal matchups are set. PSA Cardinals (4-1) will face Expressions Elite (4-1), California Supreme (5-0) go up against Team CP3 (4-1), The Rens (4-1) take on Team Penny (4-1), and Mokan Elite (5-0) play Meanstreets (4-1). The quarterfinal matchups not only have the best teams matched up, but they also have some of the most exciting player matchups of the Peach Jam thus far. Quade Green faces Tremont Waters and Mohamed Bamba is matched up with Nick Richards in the PSA Cardinals/Expressions Elite game, elite big men DeAndre Ayton and Wendell Carter Jr rekindle their rivalry in Cali Supreme vs Team CP3, Michael Porter Jr goes head-to-head with Brian Bowen in the Meanstreets/Mokan Elite tussle, and The Rens and Team Penny showcase two of the best groups of guards on the circuit. The fun is about to begin as elimination play begins tomorrow in North Augusta, South Carolina.

Final Standings:

Pool A
PSA Cardinals 4-1
Expressions Elite 4-1
Playaz Basketball Club 3-2
Spiece Indy Heat 3-2
CIA Bounce 1-4
Nike South Beach 0-5

Pool B
California Supreme 5-0
Team Penny 4-1
Albany City Rocks 3-2
Phoenix Phamily 2-3
St Louis Eagles 1-4
Pro Skills 0-5

Pool C
The Rens 4-1
Team CP3 4-1
Team Final 3-2
BABC 2-3
E1T1 United 1-4
Houston Hoops 1-4

Pool D
Mokan Elite 5-0
Expressions Elite 4-1
Howard Pulley 3-2
Team Takeover 2-3
King James 1-4
Las Vegas Prospects 0-5