The Albany Patroons and New York Phoenix finish the “Route 5 Rivalry” at two wins apiece

Last night, it seemed as if the Albany Patroons would start their coveted matchup with the division-leading New York Phoenix at a major disadvantage. One of their top scorers, Derrick Rowland Jr., has a busted hand. One of their bench players, Justice Brantley, has an injured foot. Their All-Star, Trahson Burrell, was scheduled to leave the team after the game for an overseas contract. And their big man, Mike Parks, was unavailable for the game.

But when that happens, you say “next man up.” And the Patroons found a bunch of “next men up,” and they all “next manned up” to a 135-115 victory over the Phoenix, handing the Schenectady visitors only their second loss of the season – both losses, by the way, at the hands of the Patroons. Here’s the box score.

While Burrell led the Pats with 32 points and 15 rebounds in his final match with the team, new signee Tyshon Pickett stepped up with 27 points, including 17 in the first quarter alone. He also had two blocked shots in the game.

Also providing power for the Patroons was Philip Flory (23 pts, including 4-8 from 3-point range) and Ja’Quaye James (12 pts, 10 assists). Elijah “Boogie” Ford came off the bench to add 15 points of his own.

For the Phoenix, the leading scorer was Shadell Millinghaus with 26 points, followed by 16 from Paul Parks, 15 from AJ Mosby and 12 from Arsenio Arrington. The Phoenix now drop to 15-2, while the Patroons improve to 16-4 on the schedule.

But now we’re getting close to the postseason, and while both the Patroons and the Phoenix are all but assured of the playoffs, there’s a third team in the mix – the Halifax Hoopers, who quietly have assembled an 11-2 record. If they hold steady, the Hoopers could end up as the #2 seed, which means that the #3 seed would have to face them IN HALIFAX for a one-game playoff. Ugh. Then the winner of that playoff game would travel back to the 518 for a best-of-three for the playoffs.

Which would be an exciting run, to say the least.

Let’s make it happen, shall we?

Because I don’t know about you …

But I’m seriously digging this Route 5 Rivalry. 😀