Balkan in the final again afer two decades

Dwayne Morton led Balkan to victory

09-05-2008 21:52

Balkan qualified for the final of the playoffs of the Bulgarian Championship for the first time in 19 years. The team from Botevgrad did some heroics series against Levski Sofia, and swept the second best team in the regular season 3-0. On an emotional and dramatic night in front of their faithful fans, who filled the arena in Botevgrad, Balkan took the third game 78-71. Levski was one step away from getting back in the series.

The federation's new president Mihail Mihov and the national team coach Pini Gershon both saw the game. The Israeli specalist was especially interested in watching some potential Bulgarian national team players from both teams.

Levski started the game strong, as giving up was the last thing on their mind, despite the 0-2 deficit in the series, after a couple of home losses. Yet Balkan led it 7-4, but Levski scored 6 consecutive points through Stanislav Slaveykov and Asen Velikov for 7-10. After that Veselin Veselinov joined the good plays on offense, and his team had a 7-point lead - 12-19. Then "The Blues" started missing some three-pointers, and they were punished by Dwayne Morton, who made it 17-19. After missing a shot though, youngster Tsvetelin Ivanov scored a three of his own and Levski was 7 ahead again, just before the first quarter ended 19-24.

The second ten minutes started with another three-pointer from Asen Velikov for 19-27 and from that moment until halftime Levski kept their 8 point lead. Balkan tried to shoot from downtown too, especially Dwayne Morton and Ivan Lilov. The latter was one of the Bulgarians also playing under the watchful eye of Gershon. Maybe that was a bit scary for the 19-year old and it wasn't going all his way during those minutes. That gave the temporary advantage to Levski, as Stanislav Slaveykov played a perfect first half with 16 points. Asen Velikov had 11 at the half, including shot-clock buzzer-beating three from 8 metres and at that point Levski was even 11 ahead - 31-42. At halftime it was 36-44 Levski. For Balkan Morton had already amassed 14 points, and Boljkovac - 10.

The key moment todnight was the third period. Balkan started strong in defense. Georgi Mladenov's players pulled it back to only 3 points, after Lubo Lilov scored a three-pointer for 46-49. The turnaround was complete when 3 minutes before the end of the third, the home side was leading 52-51. Julian Aladjov's headache was double, as Stefan Georgiev committed his 4th personal foul. After 30 minutes of play Balkan fans were alreday sensing triumph - 58-55.

Levski had no intension of surrendering. Just three months ago they smacked Balkan in that same hall by a margin of almost 30 points. Lead by their young guard Velikov, they turned the last 10 minutes into a real battle. For Levski their top scorer of the first half Slaveykov had 4 personal fouls, and was without a basket for a very long time. That was - until he scored a trey for 68-69.

And then came the decisive baskets from young Ivan Lilov and Dwayne Morton. Lilov scored a three-pointer, and then the veteran American made a fadeaway jumpshot and with a minute left on the clock Balkan was ahead of Levski 73-69. Then all that was left was a game of nerves, which the young Levski players weren't able to win. Asen Velikov made two free-throws, but after that he missed from long range, as did Veselinov and young Pavel Ivanov. When the game was already dead and buried, Atanas Radev capped Balkan's victory with a dunk, and the buzzer sounded at 78-71.

For the winners Morton had 24 points, Ivan Lilov finished with 20, Boljkovac scored 16 and their sixth man Radev added 15.

For Levski Velikov scored 24 (4 three-pointers). Slaveykov finished with 19, after those only 3 of his in the second half, and Stefan Georgiev had 10 rebounds, but only 6 points.

FULL STATS OF THE BALKAN - LEVSKI GAME