Monday, April 25, 2016

Pumas Regain #1 Spot With PA Win

Mid-Ohio Pumas Black-Pittsburg Jam Fest Champions
Greg Allocco’s 2020 Mid-Ohio Pumas Black squad debuted as our #1 team in our pre-season Power Rankings several weeks ago; however, a loss in the semi-finals of the Nike Grassroots Tournament knocked them out of the top spot.  Fast forward several weeks and the Pumas have now won 3 straight tournament championships, including the Buckeye Prep Invitational, Kentucky Jam Fest and the Pittsburg Jam Fest this past weekend. 

In Pittsburgh, with the return of the injured Jack Pugh, the Pumas ran their season record to 20-1, after wins over some impressive teams including a Zach Loveday-led West Virginia Wildcats (54-41), NJ Playas (56-33) and CIA Bounce in the championship (51-34).  It’s important to note that the Wildcats and the Playas are loaded with division I level talent.

Although Jack Pugh looked strong after his 4 month long layoff, the Puma’s success can best be attributed to the outstanding play of Matt Allocco and Cameron McCreary who both averaged 18 points per game over the course of the tournament. Also of note was the electric play of Chris Mayfield who excelled in transition and played above the rim the entire weekend. Defensively, Harley Day erased each opponent's big man from the scoring column and led the team in rebounding for the weekend.

With their 3rd championship title, not only do the Pumas return to the top spot in our Power Rankings, they may be the favorite to receive “Team of the Year” when we announce our post season awards in the end of the summer.  Next up for the Pumas will be the ultra competitive George Hill tournament in Indianapolis.  Congrats to the Pumas for their success in PA.

It’s important to note that the Puma’s Blue team, our former #1 team, finished 3-1 in Pittsburgh, which included a loss to the NJ Playas, a team the Pumas Black team defeated. Of note is the Puma’s win over Team Loaded, one of the best teams in the country last season.  As a program, the Mid-Ohio Pumas now occupy the top 2 spots in the 2020 Power Rankings!




4 comments:

  1. That's where they should be. Well coached. Great program.

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  2. Hardwork 2022 have defeated Eba hoops & MVP dynasty this year team includes Tavian Tatum & William Rumple from your 2022 watch list

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  3. Any results from this years King James tournament should be taken with a grain of salt. There were so many teams that forfeited games because of the disasteous Saturday. Championship Sunday had teams advancing without playing games or teams playing up in divisions that they had not qualified to play in.

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  4. Love the point guard for Pumas team. They are a good team but that kid make it all work for them. Would love for my son to play with him on that team

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