Elite PT beats BeeGraphix, moves into first-place tie

By JEREMY SELLEW

jsellew@yourmvi.com

Behind a strong game from Steel Valley’s Makhai Valentine, Elite Physical Therapy put itself right back in the conversation of top teams in the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League Boys Division.

Valentine scored 19 of his game-high 32 points in the second half as his team knocked off defending champion BeeGraphix, 56-54, to move to 3-2 on the season. Valentine finished with a double-double, ripping down a game-high 14 rebounds, as well.

Elite is now one of four teams tied atop the division at 3-2. BeeGraphix (3-2) played without the defending league MVP Rodney Gallagher.

“You have to take advantage of that situation,” Elite PT head coach Vada Epps said. “We’ve been playing good as a team and I really think we’re coming together.”

BeeGraphix had a four-point lead, 43-39, with 8:33 remaining, but Elite PT retook the lead with a 9-0 run behind Laurel Highlands freshman Kelan Milson’s only three points of the game and six points from Valentine.

Throughout the final minutes, Valentine scored 12 straight points for his team, but it was the other things he did that impressed his coach. He had a huge offensive rebound on a missed free throw and turned that into a putback basket, he had a follow-up dunk off a miss, and he had two tip-in hoops on great hustle plays.

“Those are the things that’s going to get him a scholarship right there,” Epps said. “It’s the things he can do other than scoring. His defense was great tonight and it was fun watching him go out there and battle with (Quinton) Martin.”

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