SPRINGFIELD – In their third matchup of 413 Elite history, the Springfield 413 Elite took on the Herkimer Originals winning 114-97 in The “Naismith Memorial” 1st Basketball Game Theme, on Saturday, December 16 at South Hadley Highschool.
These two giants not only went head-to-head on the court, but they are also a physical representation of the ongoing debate about where basketball was born. Basketball was founded in 1891 by James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts. Legitimacy aside, Saturday’s game sure was one for the history books.
The Herkimer Originals, who the 413 Elite played twice in their inaugural season splitting wins at 1-1 with Herkimer winning the first match by a buzzer beater 3pointer in Springfield. The 413 Elite took the second win beating Herkimer in their home 124-105. With the 3rd match this game was highly intense and the 413 Elite did not disappoint. Leading the way the entire game the 413 Elite won the match 114-97 upping the OGs 2-1 in the battle between the two.
The Player of the Game, sponsored by Springfield Stretching and Massage Therapy, was #12, Jerry “J-Buckets” Buchanon, who scored 20 points, stole the ball five times, snagged four rebounds, and participated in three assists with 1 block.
413 Elite had six players in double figures for the game. Chandler Jones, who had a Double Double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Charles Jackson, who scored 18 points, followed by Marvin Leveille’s Double Double with 16 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Jeric Cichon’s Tripple Double, who scored 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, followed by Kamari Robinson’s Double Double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Entering the Holiday break, the 413 Elite comes in Nationally Ranked at #17 in the Country out of 100+ Teams. The team will hit the road in January after the New Year to take on Bennington Martens out of Bennington Vermont.
Photos Provided by: William Straite
