Probably the best bar night of the year since draft night with a couple of “strangers'” showing up out of nowhere. Not only was it a good crowd but at 12:00 there was still almost 20 guys in the bar. I am not sure Team Healy was more excited or relieved about their first round victory but it appears there rookie Captain is feeling the pressure. Of course, losing your 1st and 2nd round picks should mean you have no pressure whatsoever.
For the most part the games were awful which probably had more to do with the two week lay-off more than anything else. The lay-off obviously affected the offense more than the defense.
6:00- Shimko over Wagner- not sure what it was about this game but it did not have a play-off feel to it. The game was tied at half after a lack luster uninspired effort by both teams. Gradually in the second half Team Shimko started building on the lead led by # 3’s by Bedell-it looks like he is the turning into that 3rd scorer that Team Shimko desperately needs but he needs to be on the floor. Meanwhile, Team Wags looked lost and spent more time “talking” to each other about the numerous breakdowns that were occurring on defense which was magnified by their inability to make shots. This team has way too much talent to bow out without putting up much of a fight. Captain Wags will now have the entire off-season to re-evaluate his draft strategy. Tam Shimko did not play great but they did what it took to win and move on. Something tells me that next week’s game against Team O’Malley will have a very different feel to it.
7:00- O’Malley over Mikuzis- This was an ugly ugly game which I would like to attribute to good defense by both teams but the offense was beyond pathetic. I believe the half-time score was 21-7. McCann had a rare off game but did just enough to lead his team to the win. Team Mikusiz had numerous chances to get within striking distance and then they would have a missed lay-up or a turn-over or a shot that would rim in an out and then Team O’Malley would go down to the other end and score. One possession in the fist-half was symbolic of the entire game. Team O’Malley had 6 offensive rebounds on 1 possession and finally scored. No one on Team Mikuzis was able to step up and provide an offensive spark which was surprising after the performance in the play-in game. Of course, that was against Team Bernard. Team O’Malley will have to play much better next week if they want to move on. With 5 minutes to go Team O’Malley employed their four corner stall which them have become famous for and I anticipate that will do the same next week if they have a lead late in the game. Be careful this strategy could back-fire.
8:00: Healy over Spadoni- this game went pretty much as expected with Team Healy going right to the Bash brothers from the start to take an early lead. Koll was ice cold in the first half-maybe in part to the great played on him by Brian Healy and no one else on Team Spud could step up and help with the scoring. The game stayed fairly close in the second half and Alfoker made a couple of key buckets and then iced the game with some clutch free-throws. A nice all-around effort by Team Healy that will give them some momentum going into next week’s final four. A typical lack-luster performance by Team Spud.
9:00- Statham over Manzke- this was another low-scoring affair but the low scoring can be attributed to the in your face defense played by both team-every single possession, every pass and every was contested. This is what play-off basketball looks like.. Team Statham may have had 3 3s the entire game and Team Manzke may have had 3 themselves. Team Statham did not take its first lead until under 2 minutes of the second half and was able to seal the deal once they took the lead by making all their FTs. Every time time Team Statham would get close Geirhahn would drive to the basket and make some incredibly tough contested shots. The key to the game was that Team Statham was just a little deeper offensively and was able to get more contributions from more people. Greeno had 3 big buckets on tough turn-around when Team Statham as having trouble scoring. Shradder with a tap-out to Spain for a wide open 3. Cosem with a no-look back door pass to Statham. Alvosky with a couple of key buckets down the stretch and clutch FTs. Team Statham showed that when challenged they are very capable on the defensive end especially Spain against Manzke and Cosme against Geirhahn but they will have to get their offense untracted if they want to move on. A low scoring affair but definitely the game of the night.
Next week’s Final Four Schedule
7:00- O’Malley v. Shimko -4 (early line)
8:00- Statham -6 v. Healy (early line could change if Mariner suits up.)
more detailed preview to follow
Recent Comments