Previewing 7/11 Prime Time League games

By Brendan Stiles

HawkeyeDrive.com

Here’s a rundown of what Iowa basketball fans can expect to see Sunday afternoon at the North Liberty Community Center, as the Prime Time League season is drawing closer to a conclusion. It should be noted that all three games are rematches of PTL openers from June 15:

Jill Armstrong of Lepic-Kroeger Realtors (2-3) vs. Bob’s Your Uncle & Monica’s/Iowa City Ready Mix (1-4)

3 p.m., New Gym

As far as the standings go, this is the only game not featuring any first-place teams. In fact, both teams enter this game with two-game losing streaks. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an entertainment value.

Jill Armstrong of Lepic-Kroger Realtors is led by junior Matt Gatens, who has to be considered one of the top players this summer with his play. In a 74-72 heartbreaking loss on July 6 to L.L. Pelling Company/Goodfellow Printing, the Iowa City native compiled 35 points on 11-of-20 shooting to lead the way for Jill Armstrong. The squad also features fellow junior Andrew Brommer, who had six points the last time around.

Meanwhile, Bob’s Your Uncle & Monica’s/Iowa City Ready Mix features incoming freshman Devyn Marble, who is coming off a solid 19-point performance off the bench in a 105-87 loss to McCurry’s/Mike Gatens Real Estate on July 6.

Jill Armstrong won the first meeting against Bob’s/Ready Mix on June 15, 107-94.

Fans not able to make it out to the North Liberty Community Center on Sunday can tune into KRUI 89.7-FM for this contest, which will be called by my former Daily Iowan colleagues Rob Miller and Robbie Lehman.

L.L. Pelling Company/Goodfellow Printing (3-2) vs. George Etre, Inc./Culver’s of Coralville (3-2)

4:30 p.m., Old Gym

The night Melsahn Basabe introduced himself to the Iowa basketball world, he did so in George Etre, Inc./Culver’s of Coralville’s PTL opener on June 15 against Pelling/Goodfellow, a game it lost, 100-84. That night, Basabe came away with 36 points.

Since then, he has remained consistent, and now after having won two straight games, the incoming Iowa freshman has Etre/Culver’s among four teams tied for first place and in position to remain tied for first after Sunday’s rematch with Pelling/Goodfellow.

As for Pelling/Goodfellow, it also rides a two-game winning streak entering this contest (in addition to bragging rights with the victory in the first game between these two teams) after sophomore Eric May hit a game-winning shot with 8.9 seconds left to beat Jill Armstrong on July 6, 74-72. May came away with 12 points, but it was his Pelling/Goodfellow teammate, incoming freshman Zach McCabe, who put on a show.

In the win last week, the Sioux City native with 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.

The winner of this contest will be tied for first place on Sunday with the winner of the other 4:30 p.m. game between McCurry’s/Gatens and Vinton Merchants/Hawkeye Title & Settlement.

McCurry’s/Mike Gatens Real Estate (3-2) vs. Vinton Merchants/Hawkeye Title & Settlement (3-2)

4:30 p.m., New Gym

Like the 4:30 p.m. game taking place in the adjacent gym, this contest between McCurry’s/Gatens and Vinton/Hawkeye is a match-up of two 3-2 squads currently in a four-way tie for first place, with the winner being assured one of two spots atop the standings come Sunday evening.

McCurry’s/Gatens comes into this game off a much-needed win on July 6 over Bob’s/Ready Mix, 105-87. In that contest, sophomore Cully Payne reeled off another double-double, going for 15 points and 14 assists.

As for Vinton/Hawkeye, it saw a three-game winning streak get snapped last time out, falling 102-100 to Etre/Culver’s in a contest where junior Devon Archie’s services were not there. However, Vinton/Hawkeye did receive strong performances from former UNI guard Ali Farokhmanesh, who had 28 points in the loss, and former Hawkeye Darryl Moore, who had 17 points.

McCurry’s/Gatens won the first meeting between the two teams back on June 15, 104-91.

*Be sure to visit HawkeyeDrive.com Sunday evening for extensive coverage of all the action at the North Liberty Community Center.*