East Coast Basketball League 2023
East Coast Basketball League Final: Carolina Thunder - Petersburg Cavaliers 126-102 CRL Thunder (Sebastian Page): Deon Berrien, Titus Gary III, J.J. Ray II, Brandon McEachern, Keyon Hilton, Matthew Todd, Kenard Moore, DJ Mason, Kendrick Whittington, Kenny Wayne-Jackson, Kevin Rowell Jr., Demetrius Knox, Tevin Graham, Dashawn Bethea, Jarvis Williams, Scheraun King
Petersburg C. (Tyree Lundy): Elijah Moore, Tavon Mealy, Robert Pinkston, Devante Sanders, Keshuan Morgan, Aramis Brown, Davaughn Kelsey, Jahmere Howze, Gage Yesbeck, Melvin Gregory, Waymond Wright, Donovan Willis, Christian Holmes, Jaleel Nelson, Everett Patterson
All-Star Game: Team South - Team North 127-125
Standings 2023
Group Mid-Atlantic
Group Northeast
Group Northwest
Group Southeast
Group Southwest
Carolina Thunder conquer East Coast Basketball League trophy Carolina Thunder -East Coast Basketball League Champions
 Six Year Wait Is Over Thunder Are ECBL Champions-Jul 1, 2023
The wait is finally over for the Carolina Thunder after knocking off the defending champions Petersburg Cavaliers to secure the ultimate prize, the 2023 ECBL Championship. This season was called the redemption season after last season's upset loss in the Conference Championship. The visiting Northern Conference Champion Cavaliers came out the gate with a heavy-weight punch showing why they were the defending champs by taking an early 12 point lead leading into the media timeout of the opening quarter. At that point the Thunder inserted former defensive player of the year Daniel Quarles (6'9''-F-1986) who went straight to work on the defensive end altering or blocking numerous shots showing why he is one of the league's top rim protectors year in and year out. During this same time on the offensive end 2023 ECBL Allstar D.J. Mason (6'6''-F-1994, college: Campbell, agency: IceBasket) came up big in turning the tide hitting three straight three pointers to close the 1st quarter as the host Thunder came back to tie the game at 34 at the end of 1. A championship game is about back and forth, with runs that are made by teams especially with these two championship caliper teams. The Thunder made a change in the 2nd quarter and went to a zone and the Cavaliers struggled from the perimeter and were unable to pull the Thunder out of the zone which led to the Thunder taking a 64-49 lead going into the half. The Thunder came into the game with 9 guys averaging double figures which was a vital part of this team's success this season with all their depth. Allstar guard Busta Knox was brilliant all game scoring 20pts and dishing out 8 assists and the Thunders 3rd 2023 Allstar Scheraun King (6'3''-G-1987, college: Albany St.) scored 19 points including 3 three pointers. The Thunder also had Patrell Rogers (6'2''-G-1995, college: SC State) and Titus Gary III (5'10''-PG-1995, college: St.Andrews) adding double digits as they both added 16 points each. Everyone knew coming in both teams could score but when they say defense wins championships this ended up being a great example of that as the Thunder came away with a 126-102 win and the 2023 ECBL Champions for the 1st Time. "Coming into the game I knew the Cavs would turn the ball over based on film study. The plan was to limit their stars, make their guards shoot, and if that happened we knew we could win. Tonight all those things happened and now we've captured our very 1st championship." Owner/Coach stated after the game. Forward DJ D.J. Mason was named the Finals MVP while leading all scorers with a game-high 30 points, including 8 made three pointers. Courtesy of: ECBL
USBasket.com All-ECBL Mid-Atlantic Awards 2023-Jul 11, 2023
ECBL Allstar Saturday Ends With 127-125 South Win-Aug 3, 2023
July 9th Charlotte NC - The East Coast Basketball League closed out the 2023 season with the ECBL All Star Saturday Showcase, which included ECBL Coaches Game and League Allstars Game with the Northern Conference taking on the Southern Conference.Between the two games the league also recognized the leagues stat leaders, Owners Voted Awards, and also had some of the best shooters in the league compete in the ECBL 3pt Shootout. The day started with the Southern Conference Coaches knocking off the Northern Coaches with a 74-54 win behind 16 made three pointers. Justin Dorset the Carolina Crusaders Coach knocked down 4, Southern Coach JaQuin Hawthorne from SC Upstate RedHawks knocked down 5, and Coaches Game MVP Dominick Quiller the Owner/Coach from SC Webdogs knocked down 4 while also scoring 23 points in helping secure the blowout and MVP. Stephen Heggins, owner of the Rowan County Bulls led the Northern Conference team with 16 points. The second game of the day featured the best players from both Divisions with JaQuin Hawthorne Coach of the SC Upstate Redhawks and his assistant Robert Joyce coaching the Southern Conference and former ECBL Allstar and Head Coach of the 2023 Northern Conference Regular Season Champion Winston Salem Wolves Antonio Robinson and the Wolves assistant Marcus Brown. The Northern Conference starters were Omar Jabbi (NC Capitals), Mike Chambers (Winston Salem), Will Marion (Hickory Hoyas), Elijah Moore (Petersburg Cavs), and the 2023 League MVP Montrell Williams (Carolina Chosen Lions). The Southern conference started with Cornellius Reynolds (PrimeTime), Joseph Battle (SC Upstate RedHawks), Keyon Hilton (Bishopville Devils), Christoper Wray (Charlotte Tribe), and 8 Time ECBL Allstar Chris Moore (PrimeTime Players). The game started with a dunk from Chris Wray of the South team and him and Demetrius Knox combined for 12 points in the 1st quarter and Khalid Wannamaker came off the bench and had a strong quarter finishing with 9 in the quarter as the Southern Conference took a 35-23 lead at the end of the 1st. The second quarter the guards from the North picked up the pace as Keandre Marion and Mike Chambers combined for 15 points in the quarter but Chris Moore knocked down 4 straight three pointers on 4 straight possessions including 3 on assists from Jalen Vince who also scored 8 in the quarter as the North went into the half up 64-59. The second half started the same as the second quarter did with Northern Guard Omar Jabbi attacking the basket and forward Cordarius Townes getting a handful of put backs on second chance rebounds as they combined for 19 in the quarter.The South was able to keep them at bay and go into the 4th up 100-94 as Cornellius Reynoilds scored all 9 of his points in the quarters and Jalen Vince added helped push the pace and also added another 8 points himself. The final quarter started with a 8-2 run by the North that was capped off by a steal and assist from Elijah Moore to Dyron Jones for a breakaway basket to tie the score for the 1st time in the game. Demetrius Knox immediately answered for the South and the teams played even until with 2:00 minutes to go Chris Moore knocked down his 5th three pointer on an assist from Jalen Vince that looked like it would seal the win as they took a 125-118 lead. This didn't happen as the Northern Conference went on a 7-0 run with Mike Chambers scoring 5 of those on back to back baskets then Omar Jabbi made a layup with 25 seconds remaining to tie the score at 125. The last play was set up for Chris Moore but with 10 seconds remaining he was fouled while attacking the basket and the ball was taken out on the side.The south then called timeout to set up the last play for a chance to win, the ball was inbound to Chris Wray who then faked a handoff to Chris Moore and everyone went with Chris Moore and Chris Wray drove to the basket for a easy 2 points with 3 seconds to go. The Northern Conference would immediately call a timeout and move the ball to halfcourt and set up a play to try and win or tie the game. The North didn't hesitate on who to go to and went straight to former ECBL Allstar MVP Steven Williams, but Williams was unable to get the shot off after Chris Wray forced an altered shot from Williams and Marquise Gaines was able to get a block as time expired. Jalen Vince from the Southern Conference winners was named the ECBL All Star Game MVP finishing with 20 points, and Demetrius Knox (17), Chris Moore (15), Christopher Wray (14), Keyon Hilton (14), and Joseph Battle (11) all added double figures. The Northern Conference was led by Omar Jabbi who scored 34 points and his teammates Will Marion (20), Mike Chambers (14), Tavon Mealy (12), Elijah Moore (12), and Montrell Williams (11) all added double figures. Also during the event Khalid Wannamaker knocked off Keyon Hilton to win the ECBL 3pt shootout contest that consisted of some of the best shooters in the ECBL.
Below is a list of Stat Leaders and Owners Vote Awards that the league recognized during our ECBL All Star Event. These Awards are only recognized by the ECBL Owners.
TSP Top 5 Players - Chris Moore, Keyon Hilton, Omar Jabbi. Montrell Williams, Marcus Allen (Hampton Roads)
Scoring Leader - Montrell Williams
Rebound Leader - Tavon Mealy
Assist Leader - Kerigan Farley (Primetime)
Steals Leader - Dyron Jones (NC Capitals)
Blocks Leader - Isiah Cureton (PrimeTime)
Most Made 3pters - Chris Moore
6 man - Tavon Mealy
Defensive Player of Year - Dyron Jones
Coach of Year - Antonio Robinson
Rookie Of Year - Keyon Hilton
Tabetha Berry Memorial MVP - Montrell Williams (Chosen Lions)
Allstar MVP Jalen Vince
Montrell Williams Tabetha Berry Memorial MVP and ECBL Usbasket Player of Year
Courtesy of: ECBL
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D.J. Mason (6'6''-F-1994) of CRL Thunder
