The Santa Barbara Breakers defended their 2012 WCBL Title, winning two games this past weekend, and bringing home the 2013 WCBL crown.
The Breakers defeated the North Hollywood Thunderkats 90-72 in the semi-final contest and in the Championship Game, came from behind to beat the Venice Beach Warriors 94-91.
Versus the Thunderkats, the Breakers fell behind early 6-0 and trailed at the quarter break 20-18. Defense reigned supreme for the Breakers in the second quarter as they held the quick, fast breaking Kats to 12 points while SB scored 23. Halftime was Breakers up 41-32.
In the third frame, the Kats kept it within 6-7 points until guard Gerard Anderson went on a scoring spree. Anderson, who played collegiately at Cal State Fullerton and with the NBDL’s Maine franchise, lit up for 12 points in the quarter. He finished with a game high 23 points and 6 rebounds. In the fourth and final quarter, the Breakers unleashed an inside scoring attack with penetration and post move tallies by 6’9 Isaac Jones (12 pts) and 6’10 center Malcolm Campbell (10 pts). Also hitting double figure scoring was guard Larry Dew (11 pts), Will Funn (10 pts) and sharpshooter veteran Allan Purnell with 14 points on 6-8 from the perimeter.
In the Championship Game, once again, the Breakers got down 6-0, to start the game. But from behind the great leadership of point guard Will Funn, the ship uprighted for the Breakers and they led 32-26 at the quarter break. In the second frame, Venice Beach began attacking the rim with dunks off the fastbreak and offensive putbacks off missed jumpers. They outscored the Breakers 27-20 to take a 53-52 lead at halftime. Once again, Gerard Anderson provided strong drives to the basket for scores while Malcolm Campbell anchored the inside with rebounds (12) and scores (17).
The Warriors were determined to defeat the Breakers and held an 86-83 lead with just under 3 minutes to play in the game. Anderson provided the clutch drive to the basket from the left side and was fouled. He converted the free throw to tie the game and the Breakers finished out the game on a 8-5 run to claim the Crown. During that final run, Larry Dew came up with two steals, one off an inbounds pass by the Warriors and a second one at the top of the key which produced his own dunk at the other end.
Dew, a 6’1 graduate of California Baptist University, was named Defensive Player of the Game. He garnered 4 steals, 3 assists and 12 points off the bench for the red, white, blue and gold.
Game statistic leaders were Anderson with 24 points, followed by: Funn 17, Campbell 17, Tim Taylor 14, Dew’s 12 and Allan Purnell’s 9.
Funn led all players with 7 assists while Dew and Taylor snatched 4 steals apiece. Campbell and Dew both had 2 blocks in the contest.
Two Breaker veteran players had this to say about the Winter Season: “We did it again. Our minds were set on winning another WCBL Championship. It becomes an m.o. where anything less is unacceptable. I really liked the new players we added to the team this year,” commented
guard Tim Taylor.
Allan Purnell added, “It was great to get back to playing Breakers basketball. I had to sit out last season due to a knee injury. This was alot of fun and it doesn’t get old winning games with the Breakers, let alone, Championships.”
From point guard Will Funn, “I’m just trying to stay in shape after returning home from Europe. This was a great way to stay prepared for that next job.”
Gerard Anderson stated, “I returned home from the NBDL after suffering an injury in late December. I need to stay on the radar so this has been good for me. I’m ready for that next gig.”
Finally, from Malcolm Campbell, “This is my first year out of college. I just need playing experience. I want to make this my career for the next 10 years. This is a good start and I’m willing to pay my dues to get my dream job.”
Coach Curt Pickering summed it up with this statement, “This is the best Breaker team of unselfish natural play that we have ever placed on the floor. There were games in which we “put on a clinic” with fastbreak passing and halfcourt movement of the ball off the pass, not the dribble. That’s becoming a dinosaur in basketball these days.”
The Breakers, 8-0 for 2013, will now prepare for Spring play as well as a Tour to China.
WCBL Awards will be announced later this week.
Report provided by the Santa Barbara Breakers.
