By: Chuck Miller
Albany Patroons, , , , , , ,

The Albany Patroons defeat Halifax 122-106 to advance to a three-game playoff with the NY Phoenix

Typing that headline makes me smile.

The TBL’s playoff format – first-round knockout battles, then best-of-three contests to survive and advance to the TBL championship – began last night. The Albany Patroons, as the seed in the North Atlantic Division, needed to win a one-game playoff against the seed, the Halifax Hoopers, to advance to take on the division’s seed, the New York Phoenix, in a best-of-three matchup.

That’s right. The Patroons needed a one-game victory 14 1/2 hours away to advance to a matchup where the teams are 14 1/2 miles away. Welcome to the TBL.

And last night, the Patroons did it. The Gold and Kelly Green took on the Halifax Hoopers, and despite spotting the Nova Scotia crew an 11-0 start, the Patroons inched forward, took the lead at one point, and then kept on going. And going. And going.

And I mean GOING. Tyshon Pickett hit a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds; Ja’Quaye James drilled 28 points of his own – including draining SIX 3-pointers – and also dished out nine assists. Zion Styles ran up 20 points, including some key baskets off of turnovers; while Mike Parks (13) and Philip Flory (12) also scored in double figures for Albany. Josh Morris hit 7 points – including a massive 3-pointer – for a nice little birthday run.

Final score – Albany 122, Halifax 106. Box score is here. Albany gave Halifax its first loss of the season, then gave Halifax its LAST loss of the season. Boom and boom.

I actually watched the game as part of a Patroons “watch party” with at least 30 other Gold and Kelly Green faithful. And we had a blast together. Even though the Halifax video stream kept buffering out at key moments … and the on-screen scorekeeping bug seemed to delay giving the Patroons their earned points, then would give them in slow, one-tick increments (hmm…)

But that’s all over.

Now we come to the payoff. Or should I say … the playoff.

The “Route 5 Rivalry.” The 518 Best of Three.

The Phoenix will travel to Albany for Game 1 this Thursday, February 29, with a tip-off at 7:00 p.m. Make sure you get there early. Tickets will go fast for this one.

Then the Patroons will make their way to Armory Studios NY in Schenectady for Game 2 on Saturday, May 31, with a tip-off at 7:00 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, will be hosted by the Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.

This is the rivalry 518 basketball fans want. Forget that New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers game.

The Route 5 Rivalry is where you need to be.

DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME ON THIS.

I repeat.

DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME ON THIS.

The Patroons and the Phoenix have already played four games; both teams sport a 2-2 record against each other. Both teams have one at least one game on their opponent’s home floor.

But a rivalry like that should not end in a tie.

It’s now time to settle this the old-fashioned way.

Get on the court. Toss the ball in the air. Get down and dirty for 48 minutes.

I’m ready.

And I hope you are as well.