The Guru’s UPSHOT League Report: Jacksonville and Charlotte Move Closer to Title Game Clinchers

 By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

As the countdown of magic number time continues to decide which two of the new four-team UPSHOT League will be in the title game on Aug. 29 in Jacksonville, serving as the host city, the team Jacksonville has shown some vulnerability after being mostly invincible over the season.

Since our last report, the Wave (21-7) is still in first but the Charlotte Crown (19-10), which overcame a tough season start is now 2.5 games behind the league leader.

The Greensboro Groove is next at 10-19 11.5 behind Jacksonville and nine behind Charlotte, while the Savannah Steel is 7-21 14 games back of first and 11.5 behind Charlotte.

On the 40-game schedule, Savannah is at the edge of the cliff in terms of catching Charlotte, while Greensboro can only tie Jacksonville by winning out and the Wave going into ebb form.

The Groove is nine behind Charlotte with each having 12 left so the magic number deciding which two teams is three.

In terms who is regular season champs, Jacksonville’s magic number is any combination of wins and losses between the two teams at 11.

On Sunday a week ago, Charlotte served notice that nothing is sure on a looming title match in handing Jacksonville is worst season loss, a 105-73 home thumping in North Carolina as six players scored in double figures led by Schaquilla Nunn with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Deja Kelly had 16 points and six boards, Reigan Richardson scored 15, Kirsten “KK” Deans scored 13 as did A.D. formerly known as Asia Durr, and Lele Grissett scored 12.

The Wave, coached by Philly native Jess Bogia, had 16 points and 10 boards from Ariel Hearn, Rennia Davis scored 14, and Shyanne Sellers scored 13.

On Wednesday, Charlotte at home pushed Savannah closer to elimination with an 83-75 victory in a closely fought contest as Richardson had 16 points built on 11 of 12 on the line, while Kelly scored 16 with nine boards, Deans had 14 and Quinzia Fulmore scored 10.

Savannah got 21 from Lasha Petree, NaJai Pollard scored 16, and Ja’Naiya “JJ” Quinnerly scored 13.

Friday saw Jacksonville get its first two-game drought, losing narrowly 97-93 to Greensboro as the Groove, trying to stay in the playoff hunt, get 20 points from Sahara Jones, while Jessica Timmons and Kayla Jones each scored 19 points, Ny’Ceara Pryor score 18, and Chrystn Williams tally 17.

Jacksonville got 27 and six boards from Hearn, Shyanne Sellers exploded for 24 with 10 assists, and Lindsey Pulliam and Rennia Davis each scored 12, and Taylor Soule had 11 points with five boards.

On Saturday, the Wave plugged the slide with a lopsided 87-62 home victory on Greensboro as they outscored the Groove 22-10 in the second period and and 28-15 in the third.

Jacksonville’s Adut Bulgak led the way with 14 points and eight boards, Khayla Pointer and Jasmine Walker each scored 12 points, as did Davis, while Soule scored 11.

Greensboro’s Pryor and Tayanna Jones Bell each scored 14, while the Groove got 10 points each from Williams, Sahara Jones and Timmons.

On Saturday and Sunday, Charlotte put Savannah closer to elimination with home sweeping 81-72 and 88-83 victories.

In the first game, the winning Crown rode a 33-24 final quarter to victory and got 26 points from Richardson, Kelly scored 19, and Deans tallied 12, while Savannah’s Quinerly scored 22, while Lasha Petree scored 14.

On Sunday, Charlotte got 23 from Kelly, shooting 6-for-12 from the field, while Durr scored 18, and Deans scored 15, and Nunn scored 13.

Savannah got 30 from Quinerly, Alisia Jenkins scored 13, and Petree and Lauryn Taylor each scored 11 points.

Looking Ahead

On this week’s slate, on Thursday Jacksonville visits Charlotte at 7 p.m. in what is another potential championship game preview and comes back again at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Charlotte.

Greensboro hosts Savannah at 7 p.m. on Friday, and repeats the matchup at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The games are all free on the league’s YouTube channel.

Next season, the league will be adding Baltimore in the first franchise in the north and Nashville to the fold with more to come.