The Kankakee First Church men’s league really began to take shape after week three’s slate of games. During the middle of the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 games, the league saw some of its own March Madness. Both remaining undefeated teams fell in Sunday’s action, while the league also saw its first overtime game.

Week 3 – Game 1:
Team 9 – 70 (3-1)
Team 1 – 62 (2-1)

Week three kicked off with a bang as perhaps the league’s two best teams matched up inside Kankakee First Church. Team 1 came to battle with a 2-0 record, as Team 9 boasted a 2-1 record. Team 1 jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a balanced scoring attack and tight defense on the perimeter. However, Team 9 would make the most of their chances around the basket to battle back and tie the game at halftime by a score of 28-28. As the game remained tied with ten minutes to go, Team 9’s Tyree Mosley put the team in his back, and took over in absolutely dominating fashion. He would score 16 of his game-high 26 points in the final ten minutes to give Team 9 a 70-62 win. His efforts garnered him week three player of the week honors. Red Binion scored 18 points, and Brian Hernandez added 10 points for Team 9, as they improved to 3-1 and jumped to the top of the league standings. For Team 1, Dane Schlafley led the way with 16 points. Trey Johnson had 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Ray Lawrence would chip in twelve points. After suffering their first loss, Team 1 sits at 2-1 on the season.

Week 3 – Game 2:
Team 1 – 70 (3-1)
Team 5 – 67 (2-1)

Team 1 did not have much time to lick their wounds, as they were right back on court to take on the league’s lone undefeated team in Team 5. Team 5 came into the game with a record of 2-0. Despite the tough loss in the opener, Team 1 was a bit more solid across the board, holding off a late Team 5 comeback to win by a score of 70-67. Dennis Koger had 16 points and eight rebounds to pace Team 1. Dane Schlafley contributed 12 points, and Trey Johnson had 11 points. For Team 5, Terrell Hendrix continued his outstanding play on the offensive end of the court by tallying 27 points on 10/11 from the field. He also had four rebounds and four steals. Micah Kennedy had 13 points and Jamari Washington had 11 points. Following just 14 total games in the league, there are no undefeated teams remaining. Team 5's first loss of the season leaves them at 2-1, while Team 1 improves to 3-1 and is tied for first in the league.

Week 3 – Game 3:
Team 2 – 69 (3-1)
Team 8 – 68 (2-2)

In another matchup of heavy weights, Team 2 battled back from an early 14-point deficit to pick up a huge win against Team 8. Despite being heavily outsized in the middle, Team 2’s steady attacking of the basket, coupled with some clutch free throw shooting at the end of the game, was enough to edge Team 2 by a score of 69-68. With 11 seconds to go and trailing by three points, Team 8’s Bobby Crivokapich was fouled on a three-point attempt. He would make the first two attempts, but would miss the third. A mad scramble would ensue, as both teams fought to gain possession of the ball. Crivokapich would eventually end up with the ball again, but was stripped on his way up the basket and Team 2 would hold on to win at the buzzer in an electrifying finish. Team 2 was led by C.J. Link who scored 21 points and had seven rebounds. Braijon Thomas would add 17 points. In the loss, Team 8's Crivokapich had 17 points while Gerald Duckworth 14 points. Seth Johnson was dominant in a double-double effort, scoring 16 points and securing a league-high 19 rebounds. With the win, Team 2 improves to 3-1 on the season and joins Team 9 and Team 1 at the top of the league standings. Team 8 falls to 2-2 on the season.

Week 3 – Game 4:
Team 8 – 73 (3-2) F/OT
Team 6 – 70 (1-2)

Following the tough one-point defeat, Team 8 headed back to the court against a Team 6 that came ready to play. In a back-and-forth affair, both teams would miss their final shot of regulation, as the game went to OT, deadlocked at 66. With less than five seconds remaining on the clock, Team 6 came out of a timeout trailing 71-70 and inbounding the ball from half court. On a play where there was a little bit of contact, and a controversial no call, Team 8 came away with a steal and slam at the buzzer to seal the win, 73-70. Despite a league-high 32 points from Team 6’s Alex Mitchner, Team 8’s balanced scoring was enough to overcome Mitchner’s individual performance. Antonio Brooks had 18 points, Seth Johnson had 16 points and nine rebounds, and both Bobby Crivokapich and Gerald Duckworth had 13 points. For Team 6, Vince Harrison Jr. had 13 points of his own. Team 8 improves to 3-2 with the win, and Team 6 falls to 1-2.

Week 3 – Game 5:
Team 4 – 83 (2-2)
Team 6 – 55 (1-3)

The gut-wrenching loss for Team 6 in their previous game, coupled with only having six players for a doubleheader, was ultimately too much to overcome in a difficult matchup against Team 4. Team 4, who had its full roster for the first time this season, used a steady diet of ball sharing and offensive rebounding on the way to an 83-55 victory. All ten players on the roster would score for Team 4, who rotated five guys in an out throughout the final 25 minutes of the game. Christian Straw had 15 points to lead the charge, while Kale Maupin and Gunnar Pullins each had 12 points. Vince Harrison Jr. led the way for Team 6 with 13 points. Ty Harrison had 12 points, while Vontae Taylor had 11 points. Team 4 improves to 2-2 on the season, while Team 6 now sits at 1-3 overall.

Week 3 – Game 6:
Team 7 – 74 (1-3)
Team 3 – 63 (0-4)

In the day’s final game, the league’s two winless teams locked horns in a relatively intriguing matchup. Team 7’s experience and consistent offensive attack would ultimately be the difference, as they knocked off Team 3 by a score of 74-63. Shaye Carter had his biggest game of the season as he scored 20 points and hauled in eight rebounds. His height and strength in the middle of the lane proved to be a big difference for Team 7. Darian Bosby would add 16 points and Patrick Cullom had 15 points, as Team 7 was able to get into the win column for the first time. Team 3 was led by Roddrick Randle and Jonathan Townsend, who each had 13 points. Team 7 improves to 1-3, while Team 3 remains the league’s lone winless team, with a record of 0-4.

Standings
Team 9 (3-1)
Team 1 (3-1)
Team 2 (3-1)
Team 5 (2-1)
Team 8 (3-2)
Team 4 (2-2)
Team 6 (1-3)
Team 7 (1-3)
Team 3 (0-4)