Week 7 is a wrap and mannn! What a way to end our regular season and look forward to the Playoffs! Tons of jaw-droppers transpired this week and every game was nearly just as hype as the last! Let’s get into it!
First up, we had the Gremlins vs the Tropics aka “The Toilet Bowl!” The Gremlins after last week's performance despite a loss looked promising coming into this game to get their first win. The Tropics however, I expected to have the offensive edge. Both teams with not much to play for, just going out there and having fun! To my surprise, both teams struggled offensively early on. Both teams were sloppy on defense and continued to give up open looks but nothing was dropping for both teams so far. It was until later in the first, shots started to fall for the Tropics that put them up 47-31 at half with not much to mention in the first half. Gremlins seeked little bits of life with Joey Espinal being their only notable producer with 14 pts, 2 steals, 9 rebounds, despite an awful 27% from the field,but poor defense throughout the whole game cost them their last shot to earn a tally in the win column. Tropics came alive with Adam Stolzfus scoring 24 pts, 5 blks!, and 18 rebounds! He also shot 11-19(58%) from the field! Definitely a Trout CPA Player of the Week candidate. Brad Atkinson had 19 pts, 2 steals, while shooting 8-19(42%) from the field. Being a shooter, he only shot 3-10(30%) from three though. Ronnie Swatner produced a solid game as well with 15 pts, 12 rebounds, and 7-11(64%) from the field. You could tell size was a factor in this game too as the Tropics took down the Gremlins, 85-59.
Next up, Lanc Show vs the Huskies. Isaiah Valentine is back as now both teams are fully healthy squaring off. Lanc Show made a statement early taking a 24-13 lead in the first. Meanwhile, the crowd was quite telling that they were rooting for Lanc Show. The Huskies have been known as one of fans least favorite teams as far as this year. In response, they tied it at 43 going into the half. Jordan Tyson, who is the reigning DPOY, seemed to really affect opposing star, Ajani Simmons. Ajani was unable to find a similar frequency of open looks from what we were used to seeing. The Huskies in the second half forced the Lanc Show’s back against the wall and forced them to fight for every bucket. The 2nd half was a meltdown overall for the Lanc Show as the Huskies commanded the lead the majority of the half led by Timmy Edwards with 35 pts, 11 boards, 6 assists as a big man is quite impressive while shooting 17-27(63%). Eli Washington with 23 pts, 8 assists, while shooting 10-22(45%). And Isaiah Valentine is his return week balled out like he never left with 20 pts, 3 steals, while shooting 8-12(67%) and 3-6(50%) from three. Lanc Show themselves had a few efficient scorers but their 2nd half drought struck their hopes of a win. Unlike we’re used to seeing, Jack Engle led his team in production with 20 pts while shooting 8-20(40%) and 4-11(36%) from the tre-ball. Luke Pierson continued his dominance as a legit big-man with 20 pts, 16 boards, while shooting 10-13(77%). Ajani and Nas having tough, disappointing performances show as easy blame for this loss but, their defense collapsed and carrying zero momentum resulted in poor offense added on. The Huskies dominated 100-72 and hope to continue this in playoffs despite their bye-week. The Lanc Show however, has some things to clean up.
This game between the WoodPeckers and the CherryPickers was one of the best defensively focused games all season. Games like this sometimes appear as boring but, both teams played with heart and with a desire to win. This low-scoring affair came down to the wire, that's for sure! I knew this game would be close with most of the first, neither team seemed to carry an edge. Both teams showed grit and physicality despite their inefficiency. The Peckers started up 16-7 and closed the half at just 24-18. Out of the half, the CherryPickers forced the Peckers to make indecisive decisions resulting in turnovers. The CherryPickers were on the glass a ton opening up the half but that wasn’t helping their shots fall. Tyler Crespo was really their only effective piece with 23 pts, 2 steals, and he shot 8-21(38%) but only 3-11(27%) from three. Joe Chupick finishes it out quite frankly with 11 boards(all defensive) and 4 blocks!! The WoodPeckers however haven’t played this out of character nearly all season so it was a surprise to see them in a fairly tight game with the struggling Pickers. A poor shooting night from them resulted in Devin leading the team with only 17 pts, 2 steals and 8-10(80%) shooting. Elijah dominated downlow with 10 pts,16 boards,and 4 blks. Their ugly shooting performance from their reliable shooters almost lost them this game and it's good that they knocked the rust out before playoffs! Late game, Devin and the Peckers stepped and though it was a close game, they proved why they're a top team winning, 55-46.
The Titans vs 8 Balls lived up to its reputation. The Titans with Chase but still no Ant Pinkkard. Darnell Booth was also out today. As for the 8 Balls with production like Julian Collazo out of the lineup, it helped the Titans despite only having 5 for 2 consecutive weeks! Titans set the tone early from beyond the arc! Minutes later, the 8 Balls retaliated from three as well as Ross Conway showing signs of a solid bounce back game early on. The same theme occurred throughout the first with both teams putting up a fight! Makai Ortiz-Gray caught fire towards the end of the first with the crowd on his side! However, out of a timeout, the 8 Balls calmed momentum to take the lead 42-39 at half. This game was built with tons of emotion and passion displayed on the floor. For the 8 Balls, it was Jason Kuntzelman putting on a show with 30 pts, 10 rebounds, despite shooting 9-26(35%). Ross Conway came up big late with 4 threes overall and Trevor St. Clair against the team that traded him with his best game by far being on the glass with 11 rebounds. The Titans were led by M.O.G with 19 pts, 2 steals, while shooting 7-16(44%) and 5-9(56%) from three. Commissioner Johnny Besecker was right behind him with 18 pts, 8 boards, while shooting 7-15(47%) but an upsetting 2-9(22%) from beyond the arc. Lastly, Chase Yarberough displayed a quiet double-double with most of us expecting another absence from him. He had 14 pts and 14 boards while starting the game off the bench. This was a true fight for “who wants it more?” Rob Footman and Jason Kuntzelman exchanged words while being matchups over controversial foul calls. Gotta love a bit of competitive basketball! The Titans seemed to be pulling away with 3 minutes to go, 64-56. A few big shots brought them back with a 66-61 deficit with 90 seconds to go. Late, poor charity stripe execution cost the Titans as Jason Kuntzelman tied it 67-67 with a one-legged three point shot! Titans, then try to win it with hail mary but then, the controversial calls come back as an offensive foul was called on Chase to send Grant to the line for the win, 69-67!
Prime-time Dragons vs Bullies to close out the season! Dre Davis returns for the Dragons but is limited with an ankle brace! For the Bullies, no Kobe, TopFloor appeared later in the first, and Qel is reportedly out for the season! Matt “Belly” Mccleary debuted for the Bullies as well. Another physical game between these two and early on, the blueprint was set for a great matchup! Liam Besecker and Alex Cruz rivalry continued as things were getting chippy for the big men. Dragons started out with an early lead and dominated creating defense into offense. Fouls were getting called very frequently in the first. The Bullies as usual continued to fight back and brought themselves back within 2 with under 4 to go in the first. The trash talk was floating and refs in my opinion were misinterpreting both teams physicality by continuing frequent foul calls. Dragons leading 34-33 at the half looking to pull off a superior upset. Things started off flowing for the Dragons doing a good job playing keep away with the lead. But we all know when the Bullies get momentum and take the lead, it's hard for them to give it up. Things were looking bright for the Dragons until near the 7 minute mark the Bullies found a rhythm and even Belly found his groove to ride the wave. The Dragons would score a few buckets in an attempt to stay alive but momentum was thriving for the Bullies and created Dragon turnovers and forced shot attempts. The pot was boiling for both as the sidelines got chippy and words were exchanged. The Bullies finished the job courtesy of Erik Goldbach with 17 points, 8 assists, and 6 steals! In addition, he shot 6-10(60%) and 5-8(62%) from three. He is a true resemblance of a “3 and D guard” in this league. Trailing him was Matt McCleary with 16 pts and 4 steals in his debut while shooting 6-9(67%) and 4-6(also 67%) from three. Rell fouled out with 12 pts and 2 steals and Bills finished with 11 points and 3 tre-balls. On the other hand, leading the Dragons hard-fought loss was Elijah Terry with 17 pts, 2 blks, and almost a double-double with 9 boards. He shot a poor 8-22(36%) and couldn't knock down a single three this game. Andrew Makrides had a double-double with 12 pts and 11 rebounds as well Kevin Roldan, who leads the league in steals per game, picked 5 pockets in this game. Overall a better performance from the Dragons than I expected and if they can close the door when up, they could make some noise in the playoffs as they fell, 74-55 in this game in a second half collapse.
Catch you all on Play-off Weekend!!
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