The Heat outlasted the Bulls 117-108 in overtime to complete a two-game sweep of the RCBL (Robin and Corley Basketball League) championship series Monday night at the Boys and Girls Club in Edgartown. Steve Handy poured in 32 points, and the Heat scorched the net with 18 three-pointers to earn their third title in five seasons.
The Bulls led much of the way, but Cody Brewer sank a clutch trey in the final two minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 105-105.
The Heat had all the answers in the extra period. Sharpshooter Tim Scott, playing in his final RCBL game, drained a three just after the opening tip. Heat captain Sandy Fisher then stole the ball, dashed over center court, and fed Steve Handy with a deft behind-the-back pass to set up the clinching basket. Lucas Brewer followed with his sixth three-pointer of the game to provide crucial insurance, and the Heat closed out the championship with four points from the charity stripe.
The second game of the best-of-three series was a classic from start to finish. Each team opened the game with a pair of treys. The Heat hit five of them in the first quarter, but the Bulls dominated the offensive glass and closed out the period on top 27-21.
The Bulls increased their lead to 56-48 by halftime, thanks to a monster performance by Luke Bettencourt. The Bulls forward scored 14 of his team-high 27 points in the second quarter. When he wasn’t scoring, Bettencourt piled up the rebounds, and consistently drew fouls on his way to the basket.
The Heat clawed their way back in the third period, closing out the quarter on a 12-3 run to lead 85-83. Matt Gebo put the Heat back on top after burrowing through three Bulls defenders in the paint and throwing up an underhanded scoop shot.
John Neto started off the final period with a three to key a 7-0 Bulls run and a 90-85 lead. The teams traded baskets for the next seven minutes, until Luke Bettencourt put the Bulls up 105-98, running the length of the court through the entire Heat defense and scoring on a lay-up. Steve Handy answered with two buckets off the glass to make it 105-102, setting the table for Cody Brewer’s game-tying three.
Tim Scott and Nick Viera both finished with 25 points for the Heat. Lucas Brewer scored 22, and Matt Gebo added 10 more. For the Bulls, John Neto equalled Luke Bettencourt with 27 points. Keyland Gomes had 17, Jared Silvia 16, and John Swan 14.
The thrilling finale was a welcome tonic after a topsy-turvy 2014-15 season. The two-time defending champion Suns disbanded at midseason after an 0-4 start, leaving the top three teams to carry on. The regular season ended at the end of January with the Heat on top at 6-1, followed by the Lakers (5-2) and the Bulls (3-4). Through a storm-filled February, which wreaked havoc with the playoff schedule, the Bulls upset the Lakers two games to one in the first round, setting up a final with the Heat.
Heat take Game 1
The Heat took the opening game of the finals 101-88 on March 2. Steve Handy scored 32 to pace the Heat. Nick Viera had 25, followed by Tim Scott (20) and Lucas Brewer (11). Keyland Gomes totaled 29 for the Bulls. Jared Silvia had 16, Anthony Johnson and Luke Bettencourt scored 14 apiece, and Josh Cotterell had 13.