Seventh-seeded 2200 Club continued to upset higher ranked opponents as they handed third-seeded Pomegranate a 41-28 loss on March 8 in the first game of the San Diego Hoops semifinal games. 2000 Club had previously upset AAA Mortgage 53-36 in the quarterfinals on March 1.

Tied for second place in the league with a 10-4 regular season record, Pomegranate was by far the highly favored team going into the game, while 2200 Club entered the tournament in second to last place with a 4-10 record.

Pomegranate played strong defense out of the gate and kept 2200 Club from scoring in their first three drives. 2200 Club also played a solid defensive game and took an early 8-3 lead.

Pomegranate continued to play strong defense while pushing their offense into position, making good passes and controlled rebounds. They took a 12-11 lead 14 minutes into the first half and were not about to let 2200 Club establish a sizable early lead. Pomegranate stepped up defense and continued to keep themselves within 3 points for the rest of the half. 2200 Club inched ahead to finish with a slim 19-18 lead.

Going into the second half, Pomegranate, not accustomed to being on the defensive, let their adrenaline override their skills. 2200 Club marched up and down the court with ease, seeming to blow past Pomegranate.

Leo Valenzuela made some great shots for Pomegranate, while 2200 Club’s Amy McClure countered and threw in a few of her own.

Pomegranate’s two high scorers, Jason Farr and Valenzuela, both got into foul trouble, which hurt their chances of taking a lead in the game. Valenzuela eventually fouled out and received a technical foul, which seemed to deflate Pomegranate even more as the team began to miss routine free throws and jump shots.

2200 Club’s Martin Cherrier seemed to be everywhere, rebounding, diving on the floor retrieving loose balls and batting them away. His defensive efforts helped secure the upset win.

“Our great defense came from efforts by each one of us, and helped us shut down their shooters. [We kept] our heads in the game rather than screaming at the officials for bad calls,” 2200 Club captain/coach Sergio Villegas said.

Top-seeded Morgan Stanley held their ground in a 54-47 win over fifth-seeded Colorworks Painting in the second game of the semifinals.

It first appeared as if Morgan Stanley’s Danny Player was not going to play as he was in his street clothes and had his hand wrapped, but seconds before the start of the game, he appeared in his uniform ready to play.

Morgan Stanley took early control of the game through strong defense, effectively keeping Colorworks from getting their balls to fall, and remained very aggressive throughout the first half to lead 10-4.

Colorworks got into their groove and made up some ground to come within 4 points, thanks to the sharp shooting of Patrick Jackson, but seconds before the end of the half, Morgan Stanley’s Paul Demke drove toward the basket and scored. Morgan Stanley led at the half, 33-27.

Morgan Stanley kept up the defense and offense, due in part, to last year’s league MVP, Robert Simmons. He played with agility and finesse, and made it look easy. Colorworks managed to keep themselves in the game, staying within 5 or 6 points through most of the half. Colorworks managed to come within 1 point at 46-45, but were unable to hold Morgan Stanley back with three and a half minutes left in the game.

Morgan Stanley again stepped up their game with an 8-2 offensive run as if they could feel Colorworks threatening to take the win away.

Colorworks was led by Jackson, who scored 19 points. Morgan Stanley’s Simmons also scored 19.

“We struggled with turnovers here and there, but we never gave up the battle. Our plan was to fight and we did that,” said Jose Cruz, captain/coach for Colorworks. “… I have no complaints about our effort. At the end, we simply didn’t get baskets that we really needed. It came down to that. I give credit to the Morgan Stanley team.”

Morgan Stanley has never won the San Diego Hoops championship, even though they have been the top-seeded team going into each final they’ve competed in.

The results of the March 15 championship game between Morgan Stanley and 2200 Club will be published in the March 23 issue of the Gay & Lesbian Times.