The KC Truth Black 2015 competed in the 8th Grade Division of the Metro Sports Youth (MSY) Holiday Hoops Basketball Tournament, on December 11-13.

The Truth won their pool by defeating both the KC Spartans Red and the Kansas Elite.  In winning their pool, the Truth once again ended up at the Sprint Center’s College Basketball Experience to play for an MSY Championship.  This time The Truth faced the KC Spartans Black.

The first half of the championship game was hotly contested on both sides.  The Truth faced a disciplined Spartan Team that moved the ball well and shot the ball wisely.  The Spartans also had some success in slowing down The Truth’s fast paced, transition-oriented offense.  The Truth, for their part, kept focused on their offensive game plan, while deploying their trademark stifling defense.  And, although the Spartans kept finding ways to score, The Truth made sure that each Spartan bucket was a hard-earned one.

The score at halftime was 22-21, in favor of the Spartans.

In the second half, however, a different story began to unfold.  The Truth’s defensive efforts started paying dividends.    The Spartans started to wear down under the pressure.  Guard Anthony “Fuzzy” Bonner led the Truth defensive effort with four steals in the second stanza, and his team was ultimately able to limit Spartans to a mere 8 points for the half.  On the other end of the court, The Truth were able to keep up their scoring pace, by capitalizing on steals and forced turnovers, and by staying focussed offensively.  The Truth ended up winning the championship, 43-29, in a game that was played much more closely than the score would indicate.