SHREVEPORT, La—The defending TBL National Champion Shreveport Mavericks were pushed by the upstart, first year TBL franchise team in Wichita in every game they played this year, but the Mavericks were able to win three of those four matchups about the same way. Take advantage of turnovers and just grind it out. Shreveport got another four point victory 120-116 over the Sky Kings. Friday nights game in Wichita ended with a Maverick victory 110-106 as Shreveport took the best of three series 2 games to 0.
In game two of the 2nd round of playoffs, the Mavericks built a commanding lead of 15 points in the fourth period before the Sky Kings made a big run to cut it to 2 points late, but Shreveport made free throws when they needed to and got a big game out of Branden Parks 31 points, 11 rebounds for a double-double to lead the way.
The Sky Kings put six players in double figures with Terrell Brown leading the way with 24 points and 8 boards followed by Jachia Simmons double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Wichita was only 8 of 25 from long range, pretty off their usual pace from outside the arc. Missed free throws figured into the final score as Shreveport outscored the Sky Kings from the line by hitting 38 of 49 while the Sky Kings were 24 of 35 in the game. Several of Shreveport's charity tosses came late down the stretch.
Wichita finishes the season 19-9, but the future looks bright for one of the TBL's newest franchises.
Shreveport will now take on the Potawatomi Fire next weekend in the 3rd round of the playoffs in a best of three series beginning in Shreveport before moving to Shawnee, Oklahoma. Potawatomi won the central division of the TBL with Shreveport finishing one game behind.
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