By: Cody Elliot, Staff Writer
Within minutes of his team’s game coming to a completion, Tyler Jenkins found himself sprinting to the adjacent court at Horizons Edge to catch the end of the other contest.
The former Page County basketball standout had just helped his team roll to a semifinal win in the Adult Basketball League and was eager to catch the end of the other.
Much like it has been all year, Tuesday was another night of thrilling hoops at The Edge.
“We all have jobs, but it gives us something to look forward to during the week,” said Jenkins, who helped Page reach the state title game in high school “We played against a lot of the guys in high school and stuff. So, it’s fun to get up and reminisce here a bit.”
Triple Threat, headlined by Jenkins and former Spotswood standouts Aaron Hunter, Justin Kier and Kevin Jones, defeated Flip’s Body Shop 109-90 on Tuesday.
It was a matchup of arguably the two best teams in the league this season, but a combination of a late first-half run from Triple Threat and an injury to Flip’s Body Shop star Scooter Renkin helped the game get out of hand and eventually turn into a blowout.
“The league is really competitive,” said Travis Kesterson, another Spotswood High School graduate and the captain of Triple Threat. “There’s a good number of teams. Most of the time, it’s a very competitive league and it’s just a lot of fun to be a part of.”
Jenkins and Hunter hit back-to-back 3s to start the game and Triple Threat led for most of the first half, using a combination of baskets in the paint and outside jumpers.
As halftime approached, Flip’s Body Shop forward DJ Hill, a former Eastern Mennonite University standout, had a massive dunk and a 3 that gave his team its first lead.
But just as quickly as Flip’s Body Shop gained momentum, Triple Threat took it back.
Triple Threat, donning its red uniforms and high-flying style on the court, went on a 15-2 run to end the half and by the time the three-minute intermission started, they led 62-49.
“We’re very unselfish,” Jenkins said. “We always find the open guy, and play with each other. … We’ve got a good squad, a unique group of talent. Everybody can do their own thing, but it makes it easier for everybody else when you’re unselfish.”
Triple Threat opened up a 20-point lead with 14:40 remaining in the second half and from there, the team coasted with a number of players coming up with big buckets.
“It’s fun,” Kisamore said. “You come out and compete against everyone you know.”
Up next for Triple Threat is a championship game next week back at Horizons Edge.
After another week of thrilling action in the league, Jenkins expects much of the same.
“Since COVID, this is one of the only places to play,” Jenkins said. “Most of these guys played college ball, so it’s not just your regular men’s league or pick-up basketball. It’s good [competition].”