Cole, Trice Rep Dayton With Pride as They Battle For Puerto Rico Championship

 Cole, Trice Rep Dayton With Pride as They Battle For Puerto Rican Championship  

By Deon Cash

Two of the greatest players to ever lace em up in the Miami Valley are continuing to do great things in their pro basketball careers. 

Norris Cole and Travis Trice II have led their respective teams to the Puerto Rican Championship series - and it has been nothing short of spectacular.

Cole, a NBA Champion with the Miami Heat, was a baller for Dunbar before becoming a star for the Cleveland State Vikings. His 40 point, 20 rebound, 9 assist game still goes down as one of the most dominant performances in Viking history.

He would be drafted by the Heat, where he would play with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh during the "Big 3 Era" in Miami.

After playing in the NBA, Cole has taken his talents all over the globe to play internationally. 

Trice was a star at Wayne HS, playing under his dad, who is a Hall of Famer in Indiana basketball history and was recently inducted.

He would sign to play at Michigan State, alongside the likes of another Dayton native in Adreain Payne, who went to Jefferson HS before playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Payne died tragically a few years ago.

They would lead the Spartans to a Final Four berth before leaving college. Trice would bounce around with the G-League before deciding to go across the waters and continue his career.

Trice has been ultra successful wherever he has played, culminating in a incredible year where he won a championship last season (with his younger brother) and was the MVP of the Puerto Rican League this season.

It's baffling that he didn't latch on with the NBA, but he did get some USA Olympic experience, playing for that team a few years ago. 

Fast forward to now, where Cole and Trice have lead their teams to the championship round.

Trice has hit all types of amazing shots and is top 5 in points and assists, which is why he garnered the MVP award. But it's his hard work, great personality, and "calm but silent killer" type demeanor which has rubbed off on his team.

Cole is the consumate professional, in which he always does his job, is a great leader, can & will hit clutch shots & will direct the offense, defense or whatever is needed at the time. 

While they will play against each other for the title, there is a great feeling of pride watching two of the greatest guards in Dayton history battle it out for P.R. supremacy.

And it has been nothing but respect and love from each in talking about their counterpart during the series. 

Dayton can definitely be proud of two of the classiest but successful professional hoopers that has ever come out of the city. 

No matter who wins, they have both won in their careers and both understand this will go down as one of the greatest series in P.R. basketball history. 

Salute to two of the greats and their families on such a great ride. 

Follow Trice, Cole, and S.E.Live365 on their journey 

Norris Cole

Travis Trice II 

S.E.Live365 

Fever Come Off Road Trip 1-1, Face Connecticut Tonight

 Fever Come Off Road Trip 1-1, Face #2 Seed Connecticut At Home Tonight 

By Deon Cash

The Indiana Fever look to take on the Connecticut Sun at home tonight (7:30pm)(Gainbridge Fieldhouse) after coming off a road swing which included the likes of Minnesota and Atlanta. 

The Fever are looking to grab their 15th win of the season, and have been playing their best ball of the season. 

Here's how the road trip went recently:

Game 1 (@ Minnesota Saturday Night) 

Fever Fall to Lynx as Collier Dominates on Maya Moore Night

The Indiana Fever fell to the Minnesota Lynx by a score of 90-80 on Saturday as the Lynx honored Maya Moore by retiring her jersey. 

The Fever actually played a high level game, as the backcourt duo of Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark provided another offensive explosion. 

Clark scored 23 while Mitchell added 21 in the loss.

However it was too much Napheesa Collier as she dropped 31 points on 12-18 shooting, and was a absolute force throughout the contest. Clutch G Kayla McBride added 19, with 8 in the 4th quarter to help keep the Lynx in position to try to get a #1 overall seed for the WNBA tournament starting next month.

Collier also added 5 rebounds and further solidifies herself as a legitimate MVP Candidate along with the Aces C A'ja Wilson and the Liberty F Breanna Stewart. 

The Lynx have won 6 games in a row, with 5 being in double digits. They now sit at 22-8.

With the game in the balance (71-68) and the Fever making a run to try to steal another road game, the Lynx went on a 14-2 run to seal the deal. 

Game 2 (@ Atlanta Monday Night)

FEVER BOUNCE BACK, HOLD OFF ATLANTA BEHIND MITCHELL AND CLARK 

The Indiana Fever used a huge first half explosion to build a nice lead, then held off the Atlanta Dream late to secure their 14th victory of the season.

The Fever won their 14th game, which they haven't done in almost a decade (2015).

Kelsey Mitchell, who is playing like the best guard in the WNBA, dropped 29 points and also added 7 rebounds in the big win. 

Caitlin Clark added 19 with 7 assists and 7 rebounds and Aliyah Boston added another double-double (16-11) as the Fever held off an Atlanta team who nearly came back from a 52-39 halftime deficit. 

Tina Charles, one of the greatest post players in WNBA history, led Atlanta in scoring (28) while Rhine Howard added 16 in the loss. 

in the first half Indiana pushed the pace and shut down Howard, while the Dream shot poorly. In the 2nd half Howard woke up but the Fever kept their wits, rode the gutty play of Mitchell and held on for a crucial win. 

With the win it puts the Fever 3 wins up in the 7 spot and gives them a chance to chase the 6 seed, which is claimed by Phoenix at this time. 

Follow 

@Dayton247Now 

@SELive365 

For more content regarding the Indiana Fever and the WNBA this season.

Deon Cash is the Official Beat Writer for the WNBA & Indiana Fever this Season for Dayton 24-7 Now (Fox Sports Dayton). 

Cash has been a writer / journalist for 5 years with the Dayton Weekly Newspaper & is currently a 2-Time Award Winning TV Show Producer and Host. 

Fever Recap: Indy Jumps Out, Holds Off Phoenix 98-89 Behind Clark & Mitchell

 Fever Recap: Indy Jumps Out, Holds Off Phoenix 98-89 Behind Clark & Mitchell 

Clarks' Red Hot 1st Half Leads to Fever Win

By Deon Cash 

The Indiana Fever started their season back tonight and Caitlin Clark was ready for every bit of it, as she lead the Indiana Faver to a huge early lead en route to a nice home win tonight against the Phoenix Mercury.

This was the first game back since the Olympic break for Indiana. 

While the Fever had 3 All-Stars, they had no players make the Olympic roster, which meant a two week break. 

In a packed house at Gainbridge Fieldhouse the Fever took that early momentum and turned it into a huge early lead, as Clark got rolling early and often. 

The lead was as big as (26) 52-24 at one point and a 54-37 advantage at half as Clark and NaLyssa Smith had really dominated in the early stages.   The Fever scored 26 of their 54 points in the paint. 

Clark had 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists at half. 

Phoenix, sitting in the #6 spot in playoff play, would get it going early in the 2nd half behind Olympic hoopers Kaleah Copper and Britney Griner, cutting the lead to single digits.

They would continue to hit 3-pointers to actually take the lead (62-61). Lexy Hull, who had been silent up until that point, hit a key 3 to switch the momentum and Samuelson hit a buzzer beater 3 to give the Fever the lead (73-65) that they would never relinquish.  

Kelsey Mitchell would come through in the 4th quarter, time and time again, on her way to a 28 point night. 

The Indiana Fever were set up with a rigorous schedule to start, but now have found their footing and could be headed to a nice 2nd half of the season, which could include a playoff berth. 

With the win the Fever move to 12-15, sitting firmly in the 7 spot. With the loss Phoenix falls to 14-13. It is noted that Indiana has the tiebreaker over Phoenix after winning all 3 matchups against the Mercury. 

 Pacers G Tyrese Haliburton at the Fever game

Diana Taurasi also played in this game, as she sat out the last meeting due to injury. Taurasi is the only Olympic athlete with 6 gold medals in Basketball. 

Indiana will now face Seattle, who has been a top 4 team in the West this season. They will host the Storm on Sunday at 3:30pm. 

Follow S.E.Live365 for the duration of the season as we watch the Indiana Fever and the WNBA.

Its OFFICIAL: COMMITTED WINS KINGDOM SUMMER LEAGUE CINCY ON BUZZER BEATER

ITS OFFICIAL: COMMITTED WINS KINGDOM SUMMER LEAGUE CINCY ON BUZZER BEATER

TRICE TO CARTER ALLEY OOP STUNS TOP SEEDED SIMPYS IN CHAMPIONSHIP 102-100

By Deon Cash

The Kingdom Summer League (Cincy) championship game in its' inaugural season was one for the record books as COMMITTED TO MY CRAFT knocked off top seeded SIMPYS in a thriller at Princeton HS Tuesday night. 

In a back and forth affair, SIMPYS started out fast with a 14-0 lead, behind a hot start from elite G Kobe Brown. 

COMMITTED then went on a run of their own, as D'Mitrik Trice got going to get COMMITTED back into the game. The game was tied after the 1st quarter at 20. 

COMMITTED would grab the lead at halftime after a late run in the 2nd quarter with a 55-47 lead. 

After a incredible halftime event where the Kingdom Summer League awarded 5 partial scholarships to the youth, SIMPYS would get back in the game and change the momentum in the 2nd half. 

It's rugged inside players (Terry Durham) started to dominate offensively while Virgil provided the defense and intangibles and Paul Mcmillan IV heated up to push SIMPYS back into the game. 

In the 4th quarter both teams would hold the lead, but late in the game it looked as if SIMPYS would pull it out after a couple of huge 3's to lead 98-92 with less than 2 minutes remaining.

This is when CCOMMITTED took over, as they outscored SIMPYS 10-2 over the last minute plus, sealing the deal with a alley-oop play from D'Mitrik Trice to Trey Carter to send SIMPYS into shock and COMMITTED to their first championship in Cincinnati. 

SIMPYS had a chance to take the lead but Paul McMillan IV was called for a tough

offensive foul, which setup the final play.

This is the 3rd consecutive championship won in the Kingdom Summer League. The first two are in Columbus and they are playing against Aaron Craft team for a 3rd straight in Columbus. 

D'Mitrik Trice on the alley-oop play at the end; 

"It was a last second decision. I saw him and decided to throw it to him. I'm glad we executed on the play." 

When asked why he didn't call a timeout, Xander Smart replied. 

"We knew they would come out strong. I know that we had to settle into the game. It's a long game, so once we got settled in I knew we would be OK for the game." 

With the win it starts to make a case for Committed to My Craft as the premiere Summer league team in not only Ohio, but a top 10 team nationally.

Follow Kingdom Summer League, SELive365 for more content

ITS #1 SIMPYS vs #2 COMMITTED TO MY CRAFT For The Kingdom Summer League Cincy Championship Tonight

 Its #1SIMPYS vs #2 COMMITTED TO MY CRAFT For The Kingdom Summer League Cincy Championship Tonight 730

Kelsey Mitchell Day Turns Out Great Last Weekend

By Deon Cash 

Before the season, there were two teams who were preseason favorites to make a run at the Kingdom Summer League title.

Simpys Playhouse and Committed to My Craft were two of the favorites, and they have not disappointed this season. 

Simpys went undefeated throughout the regular season (6-0), as they showed balance, toughness, and a explosiveness that led them to a undefeated record, led by Terry Durham, Virgil Lackey, Darius Bazley, Dibaji Walker, and the MVP front runner in Paul Mcmillan IV, who went on a tear during the meat of the season. 

They knocked off a tough Cincinnati Warriors teams in the Semifinals. 

Committed to My Craft were nearly step for step until week 4 when they took their only loss. Since then, Committed has regained its dominant work, led by Darius Quisenberry, Anthony Johnson, Kendall Moore, Xeryius Williams, D'Mitrik Trice, and others. 

They was able to hold off TQL

Xander Smart, the CEO/ Coach/ Captain of Committed, has instilled a championship mentality which has won the last two Columbus Kingdom Summer Leagues and have them up for a third.

Now, they will test the Cincinnati market to see if they can grab a championship against the best in Cincy.

 The game will start tonight at 7:30 at Princeton HS.

"Kelsey Mitchell Day" Was A Great Success

Kelsey Mitchell Day was held at the Kingdom Summer League in Cincinnati last weekend as hundreds of fans flocked to Princeton HS to meet the 2-Time WNBA All-Star. 

Mitchell, with her marketing team and family in tow, held a autograph signing session during the semifinals of the Kingdom Summer League as a legion of fans came to get autographs, take pictures, grab some merchandise and meet one of the greatest hoopers in Cincy & Ohio State hoops history.

"I really appreciate everyone for coming out and supporting me and my brand." Mitchell said during the event. 

Mitchell was just coming from the All-Star Game in Phoenix, where she had a nice showing in her second time in the game. 

Look for Mitchell and the Indiana Fever to get back in action in a couple weekends, as Indiana looks to remain in the playoff race this season.

For more information for Mitchell and her brand, you can email her at Kelshoopfoundation@gmail.com.

Follow @SELive365 for more content

Kelsey Mitchell To Be Honored at Kingdom League Today at Princeton HS

 Kelsey Mitchell To Be Honored at Kingdom League Today at Princeton HS

By Deon Cash

Kelsey Mitchell, one of the best players to ever grace a HS and College basketball court in Ohio, will be featured and honored today at the Kingdom Summer League in Cincinnati today.

Mitchell, who has her jersey retired at Princeton HS, will return to her Alma Mater after a WNBA All-Star berth just a couple weekends ago.

Mitchell was a superstar at Princeton HS, setting the records while earning a scholarship at Ohio State. She would go there and set more records before being drafted in the WNBA by the Indiana Fever. 

This season the Fever are looking to get back into the playoff race, and Mitchell has got some key hoopers playing with her in the names of Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark this season.

Mitchell will be signing autographs along with being honored during the Semifinal games that are going down today. 

In the first semifinal (3pmET) Committed to my Craft will take on TQL as Zander Smart leads his top tier squad into the Semifinals against NBA hooper Vince Edwards and his formidable team. 

In the 2nd Semifinal the leaders of the Kingdom League (Simpys Playhouse - 6-0) will battle against the Cincinnati Warriors. Simpys has been led by Pail Mcmillan IV, who leads the league in scoring and has dominated since Week 2. 

Darius Bazley, another legendary hooper from Princeton who is with the Utah Jazz, will be in the building and will play with Simpys while Kevin Mitchell, (Kelseys big bro) will be on the Cincinnati Warriors team. 

The event starts at 3pmET with Mitchell being honored halfway through the day. 

The first game starts at 3pm and the 2nd game will tipoff at 4:30. Donations are accepted at the event.

Mitchell will be signing autographs as well.