Games We Play: Big Shwarma leads big upsets in Sweet 16

Big Shwarma, JVElite, Gimmel Partners and Jerry's Kids were the biggest underdogs to emerge victorious in the quest for the Red Auerbach Championship Trophy.

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
jp.services2 (photo credit: )
jp.services2
(photo credit: )
March Madness came early in the Red and Dr. Murray's AFI Basketball League, as five of the top eight seeds crashed out of the Sweet 16 in a series of stunning upsets. Big Shwarma, JVElite, Gimmel Partners and Jerry's Kids were the biggest underdogs to emerge victorious in the quest for the Red Auerbach Championship Trophy. JVElite, the 15th seed, sent "1471" to an early and unexpected vacation, handing the number two seed only its second loss of the year, 46-41. Fourteenth-seeded Gimmel Partners, last year's "Cinderella Story", reprised their role, defeating third-seeded Zimuki.com 47-41. And Big Shwarma, in the 13th slot, upended 4th seed Zion Taxi/Phones4Less, 47-36. Jerry's Kids added to the list of surprises, as the number 11 seed knocked off 6th seeded C-Town Ballaz by a 46-42 score. The eight-versus-nine game, usually the most likely for an upset, followed suit - but just barely, as ninth seeded IBC Group edged Shaalavim 47-46 in an exciting overtime game. Top seeded Lobos Too overcame a valiant effort by 16th seeded Shvilei in a 52-35 victory, advancing to the Elite Eight where they'll face IBC Group. Nitz/Yosballerz convincingly defeated Magen Shaul, 46-24. Their potential semifinal game against Lobos Too is now the most anticipated matchup in the tourney, but Nitz must first get past big Shwarma. The only other favorite to emerge from the Sweet 16, Mauzone, won a 65-58 shootout with Lobos, and now meets JV Elite. The other quarterfinal in their half of the bracket pits Jerry's Kids against Gimmel Partners. In the Wallace Chalice Tier-II Playoffs, 1868 continued the upsets, beating top-seeded YTS 48- 31. Second seed Café Rimon pulled out a 48-43 win over Basic Fundamentals, and will meet Positive Wind in the Semifinals. The fourth team remaining, 770, ran away from Prime Sushi 71-39. The AFI Cup Tier-III Playoffs saw top-seed Globo Gym barely escape a furious comeback attempt by the Trumanaires, 48-45. Second seed AJ recorded the high score of the tournament so far, 75-48 over Nashi Rosenberg. Haloteman/LewizBoyz upset the third seed, Nadine, with a razor-thin 47-46 win. Fourth-seeded SuperAnak Habasar/Eli's advanced with a 63-46 win over the talented but fractious Akkad Edition.