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Kobra Kai wins LCAA tourney
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Chivas Whipple scored a game-high 26 points while Jerhame Williams added 24 markers to lead Kobra Kai to a 96-66 win over OBA to capture the Local Competitive Athletic Association basketball championship Sunday at the Calvin Center.
The win was the most lopsided title game in the 12-year history of the league.
“We wanted to go after them right from the start, hoping to control the tempo of the game,” Whipple said. “We’re a very unselfish team with no egos. This is my third title and probably the most special because I got to play all season long with my nephew, Jerhame [Williams],”
Williams, the former Campbell Memorial star, added 18 of his 24 points in the first half as he helped Kobra Kai (22-2)forge a 55-34 halftime advantage.
“We’ve played team ball all season long and when you do that, good things usually happen,” Williams noted.
“I played AAU ball with quite a few of the OBA players and knew that they were a tough team coming into the game. This was my first full year in the league so to win the championship is really a very special feeling,” he added.
Nine points by Whipple keyed a 22-6 run by Kobra Kai to start the second half.
“This is a fun league and we stress sportsmanship by every team, every game,” Dave Stambul, commissioner said. “We’re most proud of the fact we’re the largest recreational league in the nation .
“College coaches are constantly evaluating our talent and scouting the games so hopefully placing more players will be forthcoming.”
Six former participants have gone on to play college basketball.
Niko Fatimus, the former Poland Bulldogs sharpshooter, had a team-high 22 points for OBA (19-9).
“This is an excellent league and much better than any pick-up game,” Fatimus said.
In the NIT title game played Saturday afternoon, Charles Thomas had 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals to lead the Cage Boys (14-17) over Old School (16-14), 58-53.