The 2015 FBA Playoffs was the post-season tournament of the Furry Basketball Association's 2014-15 season. The tournament began on May 6th and is slated to finish before July 3rd. It is the first playoffs overseen by Commissioner Stefan Calico.
For the first time in her career, Newark Pride's franchise point guard Valencia Zeraus (Lioness, G) missed the playoffs after a tough month of divisional and conference games had her team slipping out of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference to make way for the rejuvenated Baltimore Spirits, while the Tallahassee Typhoons and the Plymouth Taproots both made the post-season bracket for the sixth year in a row. The eighth seed and final spot of the Western Conference bracket came down to the absolute final game of the season when the hosting Hawaii Kahunas narrowly defeated the lottery-bound Las Vegas Wildcards to secure their spot in the post-season.
While the Dakota Bikers have not missed the playoffs in a decade nor the Winnipeg Voyageurs since joining the league, both the San Jose Thrust and the Santa Fe Whips saw their streak of post-season appearances ended this year. Also noticeably absent from this season's playoffs are the reigning finalists from last year, as the Tennessee Moonshiners imploded after new ownership sold off the majority of their champions while the Edmonton Totems fell short in their final game of the season against the league leading Santa Ana Spectrums.
Format
All rounds are best-of-seven series; the team that has four wins advances to the next round. The first three rounds are in a 2H–2L-1H–1L–1H format, where H represents games hosted by the team with the better seed, and L represents games hosted by the team with the worse seed. The FBA Finals follows a 2H-3L-2H format, to balance out the home court advantage better. Home court advantage in the first three rounds belongs to the better-seeded team, even if the worse-seeded team had a better regular season record. Home court advantage in the FBA Finals is determined by regular season record, followed by playoff winning percentage, then head to head record, followed by record vs. opposite conference.
Seeding
Within each conference, the three division winners and the five non-division winners with the most wins qualify for the playoffs. Each conference's bracket is fixed; there is no reseeding. The seedings are based on each team's record; however, the division winners are guaranteed to be ranked at least fourth, regardless of record. This allows one non-division winner to benefit from a superior record than other division winners by taking a higher seed in the playoffs.
Tiebreakers
The tiebreakers that determine seedings are:
- Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division (if determining 4th seed)
- Conference record
- Division record (for the tied teams that are in the same division)
- Home game record
- Head-to-head record
- Rank from last season
If there are more than two teams tied, the team that wins the tiebreaker gets the best seed, while the other teams are "re-broken" from the first step until all ties are resolved. Since the three division winners are guaranteed a spot in the top four, ties to determine the division winners have to be broken prior to resolving any other ties.
Qualified Teams
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Notes
a. The Texas Lone Stars earned the higher seed over the Dakota Bikers by virtue of winning the Plains Division.
b. The Hawaii Kahunas earned the playoff berth despite having the same overall record as the Edmonton Totems and the Santa Fe Whips by virtue of their better conference record (26-30 to 24-32 to 21-35).
Bracket
Teams in bold have advanced to the next round. The numbers to the left of each team indicate the team's seeding in its conference, and the numbers to the right indicate the number of games the team won in that round. The division champions are marked by an asterisk. Teams with home court advantage are shown in italics.
| Conference Quarterfinals
| | | Conference Semifinals
| | | Conference Finals
| | | FBA Finals
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Western Conference
Western Quarterfinals
(1) Santa Ana Spectrums vs. (8) Hawaii Kahunas
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Officials: Wesley Wasilowsky #41, Celia Strickland #28, Johnny Carp #6
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Justin Destrier (Stallion, C) - 21 pts, 11 reb, 1 blk
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Justin Destrier
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Officials: Martin Rosario #12, Wyatt Briggs #13, Theresa Millen #42
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Justin Destrier (Stallion, C) - 21 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast
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Justin Destrier
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Officials: George Headstrom #8, Kendrick Manson #32, Johnny Carp #6
Arena: E Komo Mai Arena - Honolulu, HI
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 19 pts, 1 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Diego Romero #3, Kasumi Katsuhito #2, Tim Young #16
Arena: E Komo Mai Arena - Honolulu, HI
Player of the Game: Aurora Goldshine (Yellow Cobra, G) - 16 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Theresa Millen #42, Dimitra Kyriakov #34, Vladimir Chumski #5
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: L.V. McDyess (Black Panther, G) - 30 pts, 2 reb, 6 ast
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Santa Ana wins series 4-1
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An aggressive retooling campaign by the Spectrums and masterful coaching paid off handsomely as the team not only finished with their first conference title in team history but also the best record in the league. The Kahunas, who squeaked into the playoffs with a last-second win against the Wildcards, also had a similar rebuilding campaign that finally paid off with a pair of highly-touted rookies and strong veteran presence. Because of Santa Ana's sheer depth, they are the overwhelming favorite to take the FBA title, but Hawaii is determined to make their playoff stay against their division rivals a lengthy one. -A. Stanton
Regular season series
Spectrums won 6-2 in the regular-season series
- Mon 11/03/14: HWI 99, @SAS 106 (boxscore)
- Fri 11/28/14: SAS 114, @HWI 99 (boxscore)
- Wed 01/14/15: HWI 98, @SAS 111 (boxscore)
- Sun 01/25/15: SAS 109, @HWI 113 (boxscore)
- Thu 03/19/15: SAS 114, @HWI 90 (boxscore)
- Thu 04/09/15: HWI 97, @SAS 100 (boxscore)
- Fri 04/17/15: HWI 111, @SAS 108 (boxscore)
- Sat 04/25/15: SAS 116, @HWI 108 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Spectrums and the Kahunas.
(2) Montana Howlers vs. (7) Winnipeg Voyageurs
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Officials: George Headstrom #8, Kendrick Manson #32, Lucinda Anthony #31
Arena: Treasure State Arena - Billings, MT
Player of the Game: Lemond Conkale (Florida Panther, F/G) - 14 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
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Officials: Kio Splitzer #15, Dimitra Kyriakov #34, Sharon Janzen #24
Arena: Treasure State Arena - Billings, MT
Player of the Game: Vincent Maraundi (Caracal, G/F) - 22 pts, 4 reb, 4 stl
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Officials: Fred Kimteech #11, Vonne de la Fresca #38, Tiberius Crawford #25
Arena: Riverside Stadium - Winnipeg, MB
Player of the Game: Yves Carbonneau (Arctic Fox, G/F) - 15 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Kio Splitzer #15, Wyatt Briggs #13, Tiberius Crawford #25
Arena: Riverside Stadium - Winnipeg, MB
Player of the Game: Lemond Conkale (Florida Panther, F/G) - 19 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk
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Officials: Frank Talum #9, Sharon Janzen #24, James McConnaugh #19
Arena: Treasure State Arena - Billings, MT
Player of the Game: Hiroyuki Matsuura (Shrike, C/F) - 17 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk
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Montana wins series 4-1
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After missing the playoffs last year for the first time in nearly a decade, the Howlers have returned to the post-season with another divisional title under their belts and looking for their tenth franchise championship. The Voyageurs haven't missed the playoffs since their inception in 2011 and are hoping that this is the year they can finally avoid a seven-game series that ends in their elimination. And with both coaches already familiar with each other from their days in the EFBL, this matchup could prove to be a lot more interesting than the regular season record shows. -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Howlers swept 4-0 in the regular-season series
- Thu 12/11/14: WPG 102, @MON 109 (boxscore)
- Tue 01/27/15: MON 120, @WPG 98 (boxscore)
- Mon 02/16/15: WPG 100, @MON 107 (boxscore)
- Sat 04/11/15: MON 115, @WPG 107 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Howlers and the Voyageurs.
(3) Seattle Summit vs. (6) Alaska Arctics
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Officials: Martin Rosario #12, Ralph Gayle #35, Kasumi Katsuhito #2
Arena: Safe Arena - Seattle, WA
Player of the Game: Jake Turner (Red Fox, C/F) - 23 pts, 12 reb, 2 ast, 4 blk
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Officials: Alex Trenor #7, Natasha Giovanna #14, Ralph Gayle #35
Arena: Safe Arena - Seattle, WA
Player of the Game: Cliff Matthiews (Canadian Lynx, G) - 14 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl
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Officials: Sharon Janzen #24, Alex Trenor #7, Natasha Giovanna #14
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Cliff Matthiews (Canadian Lynx, G) - 22 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Chris O'Meara Ford #20, Samantha Homestead #17, Ralph Gayle #35
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Jeri Naranjo (Cacomistle, G) - 13 pts, 2 reb, 7 ast, 6 stl
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Officials: Hoang Chen #37, Tiberius Crawford #25, Kio Splitzer #15
Arena: Safe Arena - Seattle, WA
Player of the Game: Daniel Quvianuq (Polar Bear, C) - 19 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 4 blk
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Officials: Kasumi Katsuhito #2, Lucinda Anthony #31, Wesley Wasilowsky #41
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Ambrose Slade (Eurasian Lynx, G) - 21 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Sharon Janzen #24, Rocco Williams #18, Harry Botsa #27
Arena: Safe Arena - Seattle, WA
Player of the Game: Zack Tate (Zorilla, C) - 13 pts, 15 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk
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Alaska wins series 4-3
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Fresh off their relocation from eastern Washington to the Pacific coast, the Summit have rallied behind their GM and her star rookie son in the hopes of going deep into the post-season. After winning the Pacific Rim Division only to be upset in the first round of the previous playoffs, the Arctics struggled to make it to the post-season this year and endeavor to make up for their performance last season. If the regular season record is any indication, this matchup could be the sixth-seed upset that has been a part of the past six playoffs. -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Arctics won 3-1 in the regular-season series
- Wed 12/17/14: SEA 107, @ALK 113 (boxscore)
- Thu 12/25/14: ALK 111, @SEA 118 (boxscore)
- Sat 01/31/15: ALK 108, @SEA 99 (boxscore)
- Tue 03/17/15: SEA 102, @ALK 109 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Summit and the Arctics.
(4) Texas Lone Stars vs. (5) Dakota Bikers
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Officials: Jeremiah Waller #10, Esther Haines #36, Richard Rohlwing #40
Arena: Austin Arena - Austin, TX
Player of the Game: Marcus Knight (River Otter, G) - 28 pts, 3 reb
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Officials: Aurora Mambaro #30, Frank Talum #9, Vonne de la Fresca #38
Arena: Austin Arena - Austin, TX
Player of the Game: Ryan Malone (Kangaroo, G) - 28 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
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Officials: Dimitra Kyriakov #34, Vladimir Chumski #5, James McConnaugh #19
Arena: Sofawolf Stadium - Sioux Falls, SD
Player of the Game: Dylan Redfield (Red Deer, F) - 21 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Stevie Maxwell #33, Jeremiah Waller #10, Hoang Chen #37
Arena: Sofawolf Stadium - Sioux Falls, SD
Player of the Game: Dylan Redfield (Red Deer, F) - 21 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl
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Officials: Alex Trenor #7, Sal Muller #4, Lucinda Anthony #31
Arena: Austin Arena - Austin, TX
Player of the Game: Mitchell Redding (Rabbit, G) - 19 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 4 stl
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Officials: Theresa Millen #42, Dimitra Kyriakov #34, Vladimir Chumski #5
Arena: Sofawolf Stadium - Sioux Falls, SD
Player of the Game: Dylan Redfield (Red Deer, F) - 26 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk
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Based on the budding divisional rivalry between these two teams, the Lone Stars hold the slight advantage as the only ones to have won on the road between these clubs. And with home court advantage belonging to the divisional champions, it could be a tough road ahead for the Bikers without it. Grudges do tend to take a long time to resolve, and this series is likely to be one of the longest and most hard-fought. -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Lone Stars won 5-3 in the regular-season series
- Mon 11/03/14: DAK 108, @TXS 116 OT (boxscore)
- Thu 12/11/14: TXS 95, @DAK 98 (boxscore)
- Sun 01/04/15: TXS 107, @DAK 115 (boxscore)
- Thu 01/29/15: DAK 99, @TXS 100 (boxscore)
- Sat 03/21/15: DAK 105, @TXS 111 (boxscore)
- Fri 04/03/15: TXS 110, @DAK 100 (boxscore)
- Wed 04/15/15: TXS 97, @DAK 108 (boxscore)
- Tue 04/21/15: DAK 116, @TXS 118 OT (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Bikers and the Lone Stars.
Western Semifinals
(1) Santa Ana Spectrums vs. (5) Dakota Bikers
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Officials: Vonne de la Fresca #38, Esther Haines #36, Pierre Laroche #21
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 21 pts, 1 reb, 5 ast, 4 stl, 1 blk
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Kio Splitzer #15, Lucinda Anthony #31, Stevie Maxwell #33
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 23 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Richard Rohlwing #40, Diego Romero #3, Sharon Janzen #24
Arena: Sofawolf Stadium - Sioux Falls, SD
Player of the Game: Dylan Redfield (Red Deer, F) - 28 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Vernon Hill #22, Zack Lightfang #43, George Headstrom #8
Arena: Sofawolf Stadium - Sioux Falls, SD
Player of the Game: Ain Iannizzi (Cougar, F) - 24 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk
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Officials: Kio Splitzer #15, Hoang Chen #37, James McConnaugh #19
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 25 pts, 6 ast, 4 stl
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Stephan Soro
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Santa Ana wins series 4-1
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The apparent true champion of the Plains Division now has to do battle against the dominant team of the entire conference. Last time the Bikers were in this position they rallied in the final three games of the conference semifinal series to defeat the favored Winnipeg Voyageurs in seven games, thanks to the added skills of a certain rabbit they just eliminated from this year's playoffs. The Spectrums they face in this matchup are a far cry from the team they blew out four years ago, however; and the younger Californian franchise would like nothing more than to exact the same kind of merciless onslaught upon the team that spoiled their first ever post-season appearance. -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Santa Ana won 3-1 in the regular-season series
- Sun 11/30/14: @DAK 114, SAS 104 (boxscore)
- Sun 12/21/14: @SAS 111, DAK 105 (boxscore)
- Mon 03/09/15: @SAS 114, DAK 108 (boxscore)
- Mon 04/27/15: DAK 105, @SAS 107 (boxscore)
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This is the 2nd meeting in the playoffs between the Spectrums and the Bikers.
Last Playoffs meeting: 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals (Bikers won 4-1)
(2) Montana Howlers vs. (6) Alaska Arctics
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Officials: Natasha Giovanna #14, Tiberius Crawford #25, Wesley Wasilowsky #41
Arena: Treasure State Arena - Billings, MT
Player of the Game: Bobby Baylor (Polar Bear, F/C) - 24 pts, 11 reb, 1 ast, 1 blk
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Officials: Harry Botsa #27, Fred Kimteech #11, Ralph Gayle #35
Arena: Treasure State Arena - Billings, MT
Player of the Game: Lemond Conkale (Florida Panther, F/G) - 30 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
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Officials: Sal Muller #4, Dimitra Kyriakov #34, Alex Trenor #7
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Alessandro Serra (Weasel, G) - 11 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Pierre Laroche #21, Kendrick Manson #32, Vonne de la Fresca #38
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Cliff Matthiews (Canadian Lynx, G) - 15 pts, 2 reb, 10 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk
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Officials: Chris O'Meara Ford #20, Diego Romero #3, Wyatt Briggs #13
Arena: Treasure State Arena - Billings, MT
Player of the Game: Bobby-Rae Brine (Stingray, G) - 29 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Frank Talum #9, Vladimir Chumski #5, Sharon Janzen #24
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Alessandro Serra (Weasel, G) - 25 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl
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As dominant as the Howlers were in the regular season against their post-season opponents thus far, the playoffs have shown that even the best teams can slip up. Montana does have the advantage of a few days extra rest, while Alaska is just coming off a grueling seven-game set. The Arctics may have a tougher road ahead of them in this series, but one cannot count them out just yet, especially if The Atwood Reunion Club underestimates their opponents' tenacity and persistence. -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Montana swept 4-0 in the regular-season series
- Sun 11/23/14: ALK 94, @MON 99 (boxscore)
- Sun 12/21/14: MON 119, @ALK 104 (boxscore)
- Mon 02/02/15: MON 105, @ALK 97 (boxscore)
- Fri 03/13/15: ALK 104, @MON 115 (boxscore)
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This is the second meeting in the last six playoffs between the Howlers and the Arctics.
Last Playoffs meeting: 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals (Arctics won 4-2)
Western Finals: (1) Santa Ana Spectrums vs. (6) Alaska Arctics
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Officials: Kio Splitzer #15, Vladimir Chumski #5, Pierre Laroche #21
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 35 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Diego Romero #3, James McConnaugh #19, Vonne de la Fresca #38
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 34 pts, 1 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Aurora Mambaro #30, Esther Haines #36, Dimitra Kyriakov #34
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Alessandro Serra (Weasel, G) - 15 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl
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Officials: Alex Trenor #7, Jeremiah Waller #10, Carmen Santoligo #39
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Alessandro Serra (Weasel, G) - 19 pts, 2 reb, 7 ast, 4 stl
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Officials: Frank Talum #9, Richard Rohlwing #40, Syed Nahle #29
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: L.V. McDyess (Black Panther, G) - 29 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Ralph Gayle #35, Theresa Millen #42, Celia Strickland #28
Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 25 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
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Stephan Soro
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Santa Ana wins series 4-2
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It's a Pacific Rim Divisional clash! The top seed from SoCal against the surprise underdogs of the conference. Having eliminated the Mountain Division contenders by climbing to the Summit and Howling in triumph, the energized Arctics look poised to remind everyone why they were the divisional champs last season. However, they only were the second best in the conference and were hampered by injuries, while the Spectrums this season not only have the best record in the entire league but also have a deep roster that may be able to weather the injury bug. As both teams have plenty of playoff experience to draw upon, it could come down to which team sets the tone of the series early and which club can make a lasting statement on the road with a definitive victory. -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Santa Ana won 6-2 in the regular-season series
- Tue 11/11/14: SAS 91, @ALK 89 (boxscore)
- Sat 12/13/14: ALK 111, @SAS 119 (boxscore)
- Tue 01/06/15: SAS 107, @ALK 98 (boxscore)
- Tue 01/27/15: ALK 105, @SAS 113 (boxscore)
- Sat 03/21/15: ALK 108, @SAS 107 (boxscore)
- Fri 04/03/15: SAS 109, @ALK 105 (boxscore)
- Wed 04/15/15: SAS 104, @ALK 106 (boxscore)
- Tue 04/21/15: ALK 97, @SAS 101 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Spectrums and the Arctics.
Eastern Conference
Eastern Quarterfinals
(1) Huntsville Mayors vs. (8) Baltimore Spirits
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Officials: Tiberius Crawford #25, Theresa Millen #42, Stevie Maxwell #33
Arena: Explorer Stadium - Huntsville, AL
Player of the Game: D’Angelo MacQuilkin (Lion, G) - 16 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
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Officials: Hoang Chen #37, Sal Muller #4, Lawrence Law #1
Arena: Explorer Stadium - Huntsville, AL
Player of the Game: Steven Standard (Stoat, G) - 17 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Steven Standard
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Officials: Diego Romero #3, Tim Young #16, Wesley Wasilowsky #41
Arena: Charm City Center - Baltimore, MD
Player of the Game: Theodore Rockwell (Wolf/Cheetah Hybrid, F) - 16 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk
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Officials: James McConnaugh #19, Esther Haines #36, Pierre Laroche #21
Arena: Charm City Center - Baltimore, MD
Player of the Game: Brax Trenor (Grey Hare, F) - 19 pts, 10 reb, 1 ast, 2 blk
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Officials: Pierre Laroche #21, Johnny Carp #6, Wyatt Briggs #13
Arena: Explorer Stadium - Huntsville, AL
Player of the Game: D’Angelo MacQuilkin (Lion, G) - 22 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Zack Lightfang #43, Johnny Carp #6, Celia Strickland #28
Arena: Charm City Center - Baltimore, MD
Player of the Game: Steven Standard (Stoat, G) - 22 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Steven Standard
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Huntsville wins series 4-2
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It was a charmed season for the Mayors, who had a fabulous 16-1 start en route to the Eastern Conference's best record, only earning it on the last day against the equally-hot Pittsburgh Keystones. On the flip side, the Spirits battled the Newark Pride almost the entire season for the last spot and only claimed it in the last couple of days. No one would give Baltimore much of a chance in this series against Huntsville, but as they were the ones to upset the Firestorm last year these new Spirits could be liable to surprise, as most analysts had not expected them to get to this point after all. -A. Stanton
Regular season series
Mayors won 3-1 in the regular-season series
- Tue 11/25/14: BAL 88, @HNT 110 (boxscore)
- Tue 12/23/14: HNT 125, @BAL 116 (boxscore)
- Tue 02/10/15: HNT 100, @BAL 110 (boxscore)
- Sat 04/11/15: BAL 113, @HNT 114 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the last six playoffs between the Mayors and the Spirits.
Last Playoffs meeting: 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (Mayors won 4-1)
(2) Pittsburgh Keystones vs. (7) Williamsburg Minutemen
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Officials: Rocco Williams #18, Fred Kimteech #11, Alex Trenor #7
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C) - 26 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk
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Officials: George Headstrom #8, Kasumi Katsuhito #2, Vernon Hill #22
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Terrence Tolliver (Pronghorn, G) - 16 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Carmen Santoligo #39, Sal Muller #4, Aurora Mambaro #30
Arena: Patriot Stadium - Williamsburg, VA
Player of the Game: Crystal Summers (Cheetah, G) - 25 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Lawrence Law #1, Martin Rosario #12, Celia Strickland #28
Arena: Patriot Stadium - Williamsburg, VA
Player of the Game: Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C) - 26 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk
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Officials: Frank Talum #9, Sharon Janzen #24, James McConnaugh #19
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Shirley Takamoto (Jaguar, F/G) - 20 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
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Pittsburgh wins series 4-1
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The Keystones' rebuilding project finally paid off as they had their best season in franchise history, including their time in Springfield as the Fusion, having run away with the Central Division title by 19 games -- they clinched the earliest in the Eastern Conference and spent most of the month of April battling the Huntsville Mayors and the Santa Ana Spectrums for the best record in the conference and the league only to fall short of both on the last day. Despite retooling around more females on the club, the Minutemen fell below .500 for the second time in the past three seasons but have reached the playoffs for their fifth year in a row. Expectations are running high for both clubs, as Pittsburgh's mostly-young team with sky-high talent and very solid veteran experience have provided more blowout wins against their divisional foes while Williamsburg relishes the underdog role -- they knocked off defending Eastern Conference champions twice in the first round -- and will rely on their veteran experience to guide them through the series which may come down to who steals the most games on the road. -A. Stanton
Regular season series
Tied 4-4 in the regular-season series
- Mon 11/03/14: WIL 104, @PIT 103 (boxscore)
- Thu 12/11/14: WIL 89, @PIT 100 (boxscore)
- Thu 01/08/15: PIT 113, @WIL 102 (boxscore)
- Sun 01/25/15: PIT 109, @WIL 112 (boxscore)
- Mon 03/23/15: PIT 103, @WIL 105 (boxscore)
- Tue 04/07/15: WIL 98, @PIT 106 (boxscore)
- Mon 04/13/15: PIT 105, @WIL 109 (boxscore)
- Thu 04/23/15: WIL 97, @PIT 111 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Keystones and the Minutemen.
(3) Plymouth Taproots vs. (6) Bangor Tides
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Officials: Chris O'Meara Ford #20, Tim Young #16, Pierre Laroche #21
Arena: Roots Garden - Plymouth, MA
Player of the Game: Raoul Kidane (Ethiopian Wolf, C) - 15 pts, 11 reb, 4 blk
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Officials: Samantha Homestead #17, James McConnaugh #19, Vladimir Chumski #5
Arena: Roots Garden - Plymouth, MA
Player of the Game: Shou Masaru (Shiba Inu, G) - 12 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast, 3 stl
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Officials: Pierre Laroche #21, Frank Talum #9, Samantha Homestead #17
Arena: Shawshank Stadium - Bangor, ME
Player of the Game: Raoul Kidane (Ethiopian Wolf, C) - 28 pts, 15 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 2 blk
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Officials: Harry Botsa #27, Theresa Millen #42, Frank Talum #9
Arena: Shawshank Stadium - Bangor, ME
Player of the Game: Clifford Carlin (Mutt, G) - 17 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Hoang Chen #37, Tiberius Crawford #25, Kio Splitzer #15
Arena: Roots Garden - Plymouth, MA
Player of the Game: Raoul Kidane (Ethiopian Wolf, C) - 21 pts, 9 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk
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Plymouth wins series 4-1
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Although they didn't cinch the top spot this year, the 'Roots still had a terrific run, and are more than prepared and determined to go all the way this season. On the other corner we have their division rivals, the Bangor Tides, who have seen more shakeups in their roster over the course of the season, including a massive four-way buyout to draft new talent as well as the trade of Lucas Dupre (Red Fox, G). Even so, they managed to slightly improve from last year's 8th place to a more comfortable 6th, as well as keeping massive talent with them; however, the Taproots still have the advantage as they have won their regular-season series by a larger margin more times while both of Bangor's victories were only by a bucket or two. Don't be ready to hand out any passes yet, as most of these games were hotly contested, so we'll see how it goes. -Z. Donovan
Regular season series
Taproots won 6-2 in the regular-season series
- Sun 11/23/14: PLY 121, @BGR 107 (boxscore)
- Thu 12/04/14: BGR 108, @PLY 120 (boxscore)
- Sat 01/10/15: BGR 126, @PLY 128 OT (boxscore)
- Thu 01/29/15: PLY 100, @BGR 101 (boxscore)
- Sat 03/21/15: BGR 96, @PLY 116 (boxscore)
- Fri 04/03/15: PLY 108, @BGR 111 (boxscore)
- Wed 04/15/15: @PLY 105, BGR 101 (boxscore)
- Tue 04/21/15: BGR 101, @PLY 114 (boxscore)
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This is the second meeting in the playoffs between the Taproots and the Tides.
Last Playoffs meeting: 2014 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (Taproots won 4-2)
(4) Albany Alphas vs. (5) Tallahassee Typhoons
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Officials: Zack Lightfang #43, Ciyde Liddell #26, Harry Botsa #27
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 25 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Rocco Williams #18, Kendrick Manson #32, Stevie Maxwell #33
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 30 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Martin Rosario #12, Vernon Hill #22, Kasumi Katsuhito #2
Arena: Merrill Palace - Tallahassee, FL
Player of the Game: Oliver Vance (Swift Fox, G) - 25 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Dimitra Kyriakov #34, Syed Nahle #29, Aurora Mambaro #30
Arena: Merrill Palace - Tallahassee, FL
Player of the Game: Franz Volker (Doberman, G) - 25 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk
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Franz Volker
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Officials: Alex Trenor #7, Sal Muller #4, Lucinda Anthony #31
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Apiatan Redmane (Water Buffalo, G) - 15 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 3 stl
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Officials: Vonne de la Fresca #38, Tiberius Crawford #25, Wyatt Briggs #13
Arena: Merrill Palace - Tallahassee, FL
Player of the Game: Jackson Nuez (Squirrel, G/F) - 21 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl
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Jackson Nuez
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This has been two very interesting teams to follow. After missing the playoffs last year, the New York-based team underwent a notable makeover, with some shuffling to accommodate Spokane star Jackson Nuez (Squirrel, G/F), making the duo with Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) a most talked one this season. On the other corner, the Tallahassee Typhoons were chock full of activity both on and off court, but easily had the smoothest run through the season while still keeping a decent record. Many analysts talked about them playing safe so far, so we are expecting a lot of tricks under their sleeves at this point in the competition. This would be expected to be the TXS-DAK of this conference: hot, contested and a claw-biter to the end. -Z. Donovan
Regular season series
Tied 2-2 in the regular-season series
- Mon 12/15/14: TAL 97, @ALB 104 (boxscore)
- Wed 01/21/15: ALB 102, @TAL 123 (boxscore)
- Thu 02/12/15: TAL 98, @ALB 104 (boxscore)
- Sun 04/19/15: ALB 92, @TAL 93 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Alphas and the Typhoons.
Eastern Semifinals
(1) Huntsville Mayors vs. (4) Albany Alphas
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Officials: Celia Strickland #28, Vladimir Chumski #5, Kendrick Manson #32
Arena: Explorer Stadium - Huntsville, AL
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 23 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Rocco Williams #18, Chris O'Meara Ford #20, Martin Rosario #12
Arena: Explorer Stadium - Huntsville, AL
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 29 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 1 blk
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Officials: Theresa Millen #42, Kasumi Katsuhito #2, Lawrence Law #1
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 23 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Syed Nahle #29, Carmen Santoligo #39, Esther Haines #36
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Steven Standard (Stoat, G) - 38 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast
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Steven Standard
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Officials: Martin Rosario #12, Natasha Giovanna #14, Wesley Wasilowsky #41
Arena: Explorer Stadium - Huntsville, AL
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 38 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 1 blk
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Albany wins series 4-1
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The second Conference semifinal features two teams that couldn't make the playoffs last season, which seems to be the trend this year (Hello Pittsburgh and Montana!). Everyone feels this particular matchup would be one for the ages, with two teams HUNGRY for the title. It was clear the Eastern Conference was divided in 'cliques' this season result-wise, with these two forming part of the "stronger" clique (Huntsville the strongest, Albany the weakest), but nevertheless, if past records are something to count with, means that they're both heading for the maximum award. Gonna be a hard one to call. -Z. Donovan
Regular season series
Tied 2-2 in the regular-season series
- Thu 12/25/14: ALB 119, @HNT 126 (boxscore)
- Wed 12/31/14: HNT 113, @ALB 116 (boxscore)
- Sat 02/14/15: ALB 120, @HNT 118 OT (boxscore)
- Sun 04/05/15: HNT 97, @ALB 90 (boxscore)
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This is the second meeting in the last six playoffs between the Mayors and the Alphas.
Last Playoffs meeting: 2010 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals (Mayors won 4-1)
(2) Pittsburgh Keystones vs. (3) Plymouth Taproots
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Officials: Syed Nahle #29, Aurora Mambaro #30, Carmen Santoligo #39
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Shirley Takamoto (Jaguar, F/G) - 24 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast
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Officials: Hoang Chen #37, Wyatt Briggs #13, Ciyde Liddell #26
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Shirley Takamoto (Jaguar, F/G) - 24 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: James McConnaugh #19, Tim Young #16, Frank Talum #9
Arena: Roots Garden - Plymouth, MA
Player of the Game: Nina Lime (Wolf, G/F) - 27 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Johnny Carp #6, Samantha Homestead #17, Jeremiah Waller #10
Arena: Roots Garden - Plymouth, MA
Player of the Game: Nina Lime (Wolf, G/F) - 30 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
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Officials: Aurora Mambaro #30, Ciyde Liddell #26, Stevie Maxwell #33
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C) - 33 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast, 4 blk
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Officials: Tiberius Crawford #25, Celia Strickland #28, Rocco Williams #18
Arena: Roots Garden - Plymouth, MA
Player of the Game: Nina Lime (Wolf, G/F) - 27 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
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Officials: Tiberius Crawford #25, Stevie Maxwell #33, Lucinda Anthony #31
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Wayne Kirkpatrick (Tasmanian Devil, F) - 32 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast, 1 blk
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Pittsburgh wins series 4-3
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Powerhouse vs. Surprise of the season, exactly what we will get in the first Conference Semifinal established. The Taproots have usually been a staple in the far stages of the playoffs, this year being no exception as Division winners. but what we didn't count was the meteoric rise from last season's ashes from the Pennsylvanian team to secure not only their Division title, but a top 3 spot in the league's rankings! This, alongside the Home Court Advanage they have over the usually on point greens, have furs debating and arguing over this particular matchup. Stay tuned, this can get good. -Z. Donovan
Regular season series
Tied 2-2 in the regular-season series
- Fri 11/07/14: PIT 105, @PLY 106 (boxscore)
- Sun 12/21/14: PLY 117, @PIT 124 (boxscore)
- Thu 02/12/15: PIT 103, @PLY 113 (boxscore)
- Sun 04/19/15: PLY 106, @PIT 115 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Keystones and the Taproots.
Eastern Finals: (2) Pittsburgh Keystones vs. (4) Albany Alphas
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Officials: Chris O'Meara Ford #20, Martin Rosario #12, George Headstrom #8
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C) - 31 pts, 11 reb, 1 stl
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Officials: Vernon Hill #22, Sharon Janzen #24, Natasha Giovanna #14
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 30 pts, 11 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Wyatt Briggs #13, Johnny Carp #6, Rocco Williams #18
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Jackson Nuez (Squirrel, G/F) - 28 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl
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Jackson Nuez
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Officials: Lawrence Law #1, Hoang Chen #37, Harry Botsa #27
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: René Lacoste (Jackal, G) - 16 pts, 5 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk
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Officials: Sal Muller #4, Fred Kimteech #11, Zack Lightfang #43
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Ned Pritchard (Bullfrog, G) - 23 pts, 3 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
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Ned Pritchard
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Officials: Ciyde Liddell #26, Kasumi Katsuhito #2, Samantha Homestead #17
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Ned Pritchard (Bullfrog, G) - 23 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl
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Ned Pritchard
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Officials: Tim Young #16, Stevie Maxwell #33, Lucinda Anthony #31
Arena: AmeriSteel Forum - Pittsburgh, PA
Player of the Game: Rodger Umaechi (Husky, F) - 26 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl, 2 blk
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Albany wins series 4-3
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The Eastern Conference series are drawing to a close and what a way to close it! Keystones and Alphas: two eastern Conference pinnacles at this moment in time, having knocked out a perennial FBA star team and the conference leaders respectively. Not only that, but both teams are coming from a disappointing season last year that saw them shockingly disqualified from the post-season. This time they're giving it their all; Alphas with a deadly Nuez-Umaechi combo, Keystones responding with surprising depth. One will win, one will lose, both will give it their all in this must-see battle of the titans. -Z. Donovan
Regular season series
Pittsburgh won 3-1 in the regular-season series
- Wed 11/05/14: PIT 91, @ALB 79 (boxscore)
- Sat 12/13/14: ALB 96, @PIT 107 (boxscore)
- Mon 02/02/15: ALB 105, @PIT 118 (boxscore)
- Tue 03/17/15: PIT 105, @ALB 113 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Alphas and the Keystones.
FBA Finals: E4 Albany Alphas vs. W1 Santa Ana Spectrums
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Officials: Syed Nahle #29, Hoang Chen #37, Diego Romero #3
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 27 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Ralph Gayle #35, Zack Lightfang #43, James McConnaugh #19
Arena: The Prism Palace - Santa Ana, CA
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 36 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
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Stephan Soro
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Officials: Natasha Giovanna #14, Lucinda Anthony #31, Jeremiah Waller #10
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Stephan Soro (Red Fox, G) - 27 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl
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Stephan Soro
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Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Jackson Nuez (Squirrel, G/F) - 26 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl
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Jackson Nuez
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Officials: Fred Kimteech #11, Tiberius Crawford #25, George Headstrom #8
Arena: Farigami Park - Albany, NY
Player of the Game: Justin Destrier (Stallion, C) - 19 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast
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Justin Destrier
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Santa Ana wins series 4-1
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The GlassCougar versus The CoffeeHusky. A starting sophomore Sergeant against a rookie relief Lance Corporal. Veteran snow-dipped paws taking on inexperienced pink lightning. Even though both teams have former champions on their squads, the Alphas have been on this stage before while this is the first ever Finals appearance for the Spectrums franchise. Santa Ana has remained consistently excellent all season, and throughout the playoffs they minimized their losses to within three possessions of their opponents, knocking out their persistent divisional rivals from Alaska to cement their title as Western Champions. Albany was a contender for the top spot in the East but slipped in the final month of the regular season, only to storm back in the playoffs and fend off a tenacious Pittsburgh club to emerge as Conference Champions. Will Zip-Nut once again deny a championship to the California club with the best record in the league, or can the equine half of the old Team Chopper do what the lapine half could not and win a ring on his first try? -P. Suarez
Regular season series
Tied 1-1 in the regular-season series
- Thu 11/13/14: ALB 107, @SAS 106 (boxscore)
- Wed 02/04/15: SAS 112, @ALB 101 (boxscore)
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This is the first meeting in the playoffs between the Spectrums and the Alphas.
Links
