Around the MVISBL: A lot to be decided in final week of regular season

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

The final week of the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball season is upon us, so let’s take a look at what’s going on around the league.

In the boys division, no one has clinched the regular season title, nor has anyone been eliminated from postseason contention.

BeeGraphix and Elite Physical Therapy sit atop the standings at 5-3. Howard Hanna Wilson Baum and Campy’s Pizza are 4-4, and Union Cleaners and Farmers Insurance are 3-5.

While a number of scenarios could shake out, Tuesday’s games will start it off.

Union Cleaners must beat Farmers Insurance in the 8 p.m. contest or it will be eliminated from playoff contention. If Union Cleaners wins, Farmers Insurance could still get in depending on what happens in the Campy’s Pizza-BeeGraphix game at 9 p.m. Tuesday. If Campy’s Pizza were to upset BeeGraphix, Farmers Insurance will need two wins this week.

Campy’s Pizza comes into the week with a three-game winning streak to get right back into the playoff hunt.

Howard Hanna Wilson Baum, coached by new Ringgold boys head coach Matt Rowland, could find itself in second place by the end of Tuesday.

If Howard Hanna can knock off Elite Physical Therapy and move to 5-4, Rowland’s squad could even end the night tied for first, depending on how the Campy’s-BeeGraphix game ends up.

The key for Howard Hanna, like every other team, will be getting its full complement of players to Marx’s Court Time Sports Center.

The AAU season has many players traveling all over the nation. Howard Hanna has held its own while key players were away, and the return of Chartiers Valley freshman Jayden Davis sparked them in a win over short-handed BeeGraphix last week. Not to mention, Howard Hanna’s Keondre Deshields (Laurel Highlands) has maintained his grip on the top of the scoring race. He’s averaging 31.8 points per game.

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