Grooms comes up big, helps guide EPT to title game

Elite Physical Therapy’s Notorious Grooms scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second half of Tuesday’s semifinal win over Campy’s Pizza. Jenn Codeluppi / MVI Sports

By JEREMY SELLEW
jsellew@yourmvi.com

After falling behind early, Elite Physical Therapy showed its mettle and roared back to beat Campy’s Pizza and advance to the Mon Valley Independent Summer Basketball League championship game Tuesday night.
With the game tied at 49 nearly midway through the second half, Uniontown freshman Notorious Grooms found his range and scored 10 straight points for his team, including three 3-pointers, to help push Elite Physical Therapy to a 79-70 semifinal win.
Grooms finished with a game-high 24 points, including 14 in the second half for EPT (7-4). South Allegheny’s Bryce Epps poured in 21 points and Makhai Valentine added 18 points and 15 rebounds for the winners.
“I think Tori found his way tonight. He’s really letting the game come to him and Bryce did a great job distributing the ball to the guy with the hot hand,” Elite head coach Vada Epps said. “The unselfishness of this team is key. They’re coming together and playing great team basketball, that’s what did it for us tonight.”
On the flip side, Campy’s Pizza (5-6) was unable to use its size advantage and turned the ball over 20 times.
“Their speed just killed us,” Campy’s head coach Naz Victoria said. “They were too small and quick. Their speed really hurt us and they were able to get easy baskets in transition.”

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