IMPORTANT NOTE: Games take place at 5:30, p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. this week due to tournament play.
Thursday, the Metro Summer League Tournament begins. Opening Round games will be played at 5:30 and 6:30; Quarterfinal games will be played at 7:30. The top seeds, McGinn Law and Barley’s, get a first round bye and advance to the quarterfinals to await an opponent that will be determined earlier in the evening.
A flurry of 10 games will be taking place at the Omaha Sports Academy. If you are having problems following the bracket, we have broken down the games in a handy viewing guide for the evening.
Bluejay Game of the Night:
6:30 p.m. (Court 4), #6 Narmi Group vs. #11 Shanks Law
Bluejays to watch: Kenny Lawson, Jahenns Manigat, Doug McDermott, Ross Ferarrini, Kody Ingle, Casey Harriman, Will Artino, Matt Dorwart
If you are looking for your Bluejay filled game, this one is the one for you. These two teams met earlier this summer in front of a packed crowd that saw Will Artino dominate the game from many angles, whether it was shooting the three, dunking or even handling the ball. With the anticipated crowd for this one, this game is being played on Court 4 where there will be extra seating available.
5:30 p.m. (Court 2), #3 Bellevue vs. #14 Go Gettaz
Rodney Buford’s Go Gettaz team was not able to notch a win during their five previous games, but still get a chance to do something in the the end of the season tournament. Bellevue, on the other hand, was just short of an undefeated summer. Both teams probably feel like they have something to prove. The winner of this game will take on the winner of Narmi Group/Shanks Law at 7:30.
Game 3, 5:30 p.m. (Court 4), #7 EQ School of Hair vs. #10 State Farm
Bluejays to watch:Wayne Runnels, Kaleb Korver, Antoine Young, Dane Watts
This game is a rematch from the first week of competition where Wayne Runnels and Antoine Young were both scoring points in bunches, a game that eventually wound up in overtime and saw Young hit key free throws and Runnels come just short in the final seconds. Runnels has since gone on to emerge as the story of summer league, putting up one impressive performance after another. With many Creighton players in action, this game is over on Court 4 where additional seating will be added.
7:30 p.m. (Court 1), Barley’s vs. EQ School of Hair/State Farm
Barley’s will be waiting for the winners of the 5:30 game. Barley’s beat State Farm 87-81 a couple weeks ago but have not played EQ School of Hair. Barley’s is packed full of veteran players that could probably defeat either team they play, especially after EQ School and State Farm will have already played a game.
6:30 p.m. (Court 1), #4 Icehouse vs. #13 Heartland Properties
Bluejays to watch: Ethan Wragge, Josh Jones
These two teams didn’t play each other in pool play so this will be their first meeting of the summer. Icehouse is full of pros and graduates including Andrew Drevo, Jason Dourisseau and BJ Valentine. On the other side, Heartland Properties is a mix of high school, college and graduate players. Both teams will be fighting to move on to the Quarterfinal round.
6:30 p.m. (Court 2), #5 UNO vs. #12 ABIDE Ministries
Bluejays to watch: Nick Bahe, Pierce Hibma, Taylor Stormberg, Darryl Ashford
Both of these teams played each other last week with a makeshift ABIDE team taking on UNO in a game that went to double overtime. This week, it may be a whole different ABIDE Ministires team playing UNO as ABIDE looks for different results. The winner of this game will take on the winner of the Icehouse/Heartland Properties game at 7:30.
5:30 p.m. (Court 1), #8 Bellevue Alumni vs. #9 UNO Alumni
This game is a rematch from the first week of play where Bellevue Alumni came out on top in overtime 83-78 in a hard fought physical battle with Joe Webb and Bryce Johnson leading the way. However, the winner won’t be able to enjoy the win too much. The #1 seeded McGinn Law awaits the winner of this one at 7:30.
7:30 p.m. (Court 2), #1 McGinn Law vs. UNO Alums/Bellevue Alums
McGinn has played great team ball all summer and won many close games. They already have advanced to the quarterfinals. Additionally, McGinn Law has already beaten both potential opponents in summer league play — besting the Bellevue Alums by 20 and UNO by 5. Expect McGinn Law to advance, regardless of which team they play.