Champs cruise; Dayton strikes late, stop Flash; Fort Wayne puts 150 on Springfield;

Here is the Headlines of what went down in the first round of the Midwest basketball league playoffs.

Cedar Valley Rolls with balanced effort

Dayton spurts past Kentucky behind MVP

Fort Wayne speeds past Springfield

Minnesota wins close one, stops Chicago



2017 MBL Conference
Championship Games

East 

Dayton Air Strikers  vs  Fort Wayne  @ McAfee Center  (4pm)
In a game that will feature a multitude of storylines, the biggest will be simple; Which team will want it most?
Fort Wayne looked dominant in their 1st round game against the Springfield Panthers, pouring in  150+ behind the likes of DeMarien Smith (36) & Lowell Griggs (30).

Dayton had to ride it's MVP of the League in Joe Thomasson (26) & a gritty defense which tightened up on the Flash offense, who dictated the game for most of the game.

 With both coaches being in the top Echelon of the league, and with both teams having multiple players who can shine, this will be a classic championship game.


West 

Cedar Valley Court Kings   vs Minnesota Rangers 7pm @ Cedar Valley Complex

Can the reigning defending Champions continue their incredible season? Or will the Rangers pull off the improbable?

 Minnesota has all the tools to be able to possibly stop the court Kings, but the chemistry and the level that the court kings are playing at is a very high one, and combining that with the fact that they just got the coach of the year, it will be a tall task for the Rangers to pull off.

Nevertheless,  they still have a legitimate shot to make it happen. If not? Cedar Valley will get a chance to defend their MBL championship.