The Kings used a majestic third quarter rally to rush past the Clippers and into the throne of the Washington Youth Basketball League 11-12-year old division by topping the Clippers 51-41 on Thursday night in the championship game.
The Kings were paced by the trio of Jacquez Ruffin, Uriah Lawrence and Hykeem Ruffin as they combined for 44 points in Thursday’s win.
“The team has played hard all year and I couldn’t expect anything less from them then to be champions,” Kings coach Rick Ruffin said.
Jacquez Ruffin and Hykeem Ruffin each scored 16 points, while Uriah Lawrence finished with 15 and Trey Williams and Ty’Nahj Rivers each scored two points.
The Clippers were guided by Tre’Shon Pope who poured in a game-high 22 points, while Fabian Clark scored 10 and Tyshawn Roberson added nine.
“We played with a lot of good teamwork and we kept fighting and fighting hard,” Clippers coach Harvey Gardner said. “I love my team.”
The Clippers were hot early and took a 12-7 lead as Roberson racked up five first-quarter points.
In the second, the Kings fought back as Hykeem Ruffin exploded for six points before a Smith layup tied the game at 17 with less than a minute left in the half. The Clippers would score one more basket to pull ahead 19-17 after two quarters.
In the third it was all Kings.
After tying the game up at 19, the Kings ripped off an 18-3 that was fueled by Jacquez Ruffin, who scored 15 points during that stretch.
Ruffin was on fire as he nailed three three-pointers during the run and had a highlight reel-style layup as he drove to the hoop and put the ball behind his back before going up for the score.
“Jacquez Ruffin had three fouls in the first half but when he came back into the game in the third quarter he really lit it up,” Ruffin said. “He turned the gas on and he went off.”
The Clippers battled back in the fourth as it was Pope’s turn to get hot. Pope gunned from the outside, hitting two three-pointers and after he hit two free throws the Clippers cut the Kings lead to 49-41 with :33 left in the game. However, the Clippers would not score again after that.

Clippers    12    7    7    15    —    41
Kings    7    10    20    14    —    51
Clippers (41)
Fabian Clark 10, Tyshawn Roberson 9, Tre’shon Pope 22.
Kings (51)
Jacquez Ruffin 16, Uriah Lawrence 15, Hykeem Ruffin 16, Trey Williams 2, Ty’Nahj Rivers 2.