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Laborers Together Stun Defending Champs for First Win of Season

Laborers Together, the New Breed Basketball Association Summer League’s last winless team, pulled off a huge upset on Monday, shocking the defending champion Hoyas, 93-86, for their first victory of the season.

Laborers Together coach Elston “X” Brooks had his young, 0-6 team fired up from the first whistle and stayed on top of them to the final one. They attacked the Hoyas defense, slicing and dicing their way to the basket like no other team this season, and when the Hoyas packed it in down low, they were lit up from the perimeter by a plethora of sharp shooters.

Laborers Together came out on fire and, led with eight points by Shakio Harley, outscored the Hoyas 26-9 to the surprise and delight of the upset-minded crowd.

The Hoyas fought back in the second period, winning the period 20-17 to go into the locker room at intermission down by 14 at 43-29.

The Hoyas began the second half with a sense of urgency but it was not until the midway point of the third period that things began to turn around. They went on a run that allowed them to dominate the period, 28-14, and to tie the game at 57 after three quarters.

Warren Christian had the hot hand for the champs with eight points during the run.

The youthful Laborers Together were not done yet, however, and with Coach Brooks barking commands throughout they were able to right the ship. The lead would change hands many times down the stretch in the fourth quarter, and many in the stands expected the upstarts to fold under the pressure of a close game.

But it was the more seasoned Hoyas who would succumb in the heat of battle.

Omarie Brooks took matters into his own hands, scoring 13 points in the quarter, including hitting three clutch free throws in a crucial time late in the game for the Laborers Together and they were able to pull away for the 93-86 victory.

Brooks led Laborers Together with a team-high 23 points, Najee Williams finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds and Jahreem Williams dropped in 17 points and dished out 10 assists.

For the Hoyas it was Castillo leading the way with a game high 24 points while dishing out six assists. Karl John finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Kurt John had 10 points and 14 boards.

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