By Nicholas Huenefeld

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

PEMBERVILLE — Lake Boos picked the right time to have his best week of the season, helping Luckey Hills cap off an undefeated campaign with a tournament championship in the inaugural year of the Monday Night Lights playground basketball league at Memorial Park.

“We started off a bit shaky the first game, but we caught fire,” Boos said. “That was the best I’ve played all year. I’m happy with the way I played, and my teammates helped me with that.”

Luckey Hills opened their day with a 21-17 win over the Meat Locker in a winner’s bracket final.

Boos made four 3-point field goals, including the game winner, to lead his team, while Logan Frobose and Matt Cline led the Meat Locker with seven apiece.

While Boos was advancing his team into the championship round, Gibsonburg graduate Aidan McGough had a monster day, helping Team Biggie win four games, which advanced them into the championship against Luckey Hills.

After cruising to a 21-10 win over Getzy Elite in Monday’s opener, Team Biggie exploded for a 23-2 win over FCA Boyz in which McGough poured in 18 points.

“It’s definitely pretty cool,” McGough said of his performance. “At the end of the day, it’s still just basketball. It’s fun to see a great crowd cheer for you and cheer your team on every win.”

Team Biggie then advanced to the loser’s bracket semifinal against the Otsego Boyz, where McGough added 10 more points and secured the 21-16 win at the free throw line.

The loser’s bracket final featured perhaps the most exciting game of the night.

With the Meat Locker trailing by four, Logan Frobose buried a deep 3-point field goal with 22 seconds left and was fouled on the shot, setting up a chance to tie the game.

The foul shot was no good, however, as McGough’s 10 points helped Team Biggie advance to the championship with a 17-16 win. Frobose led his team with nine points, all from long distance.

“I think (playing five games) definitely made us a little bit tired, but we had an absolute blast out here,” McGough said. “It’s all for fun. I really enjoyed playing against people I played against growing up and in high school.”

In the championship, which was the fifth game of the day for Team Biggie and just the second for Luckey Hills, Boos delivered a game-best 14 points in a 21-14 victory.

Boos secured the win with a pair of free throws, while Tyler Henderson led Team Biggie with seven points.

“We just came out and battled,” Boos said. “We take pride in our defense and that’s what won us the whole tournament. We were just more competitive than anyone else. We came in here to win it.”

In the night’s opening round of loser’s bracket play, the Backyard Ballers defeated the Pink Plumbers, 21-12, despite several big 3-point field goals from Randy Gardner.

The Backyard Boyz then fell victim to the Otsego Boyz in a 21-6 defeat in the loser’s bracket quarterfinal round.

In all, Monday’s action included eight games.

Outside of Lake Boos, Luckey Hills had a roster that included Case Boos, Cade Boos and Jake Plantz. Team Biggie’s roster included McGough, Henderson and Nate Lewis.

The Monday Night Lights league was created by co-commissioners, Drew Kachmarik and Quinten Farmer. Drew Luidhardt and Brayden Luidhardt assisted with scheduling, while Ian Sibbersen and Andrew Badenhop handled game day prep.

“I’m excited,” McGough said. “I heard we got a free spot next year. I’m excited to come back next year and play.”