Hidden Dragons 60, Usual Suspects 68
The defending champs could not even find five players to start the game. Dragons captain Rob Taylor gracefully agreed to let Dustin Pervine and rookie Matt Frontera play as substitutes.
The Suspects rookie Bryan Walker did not hesitate to take over the scoring as he was making acrobatic layups, pull ups from 10 ft, frustrating the Dragons defense while laughing out loud after each made basket. Big man Alex Carter was the key to the championship last season, and he did not miss a beat as he dominated the paint.
A moment of confusion as the players try to locate the basketballThe two teams exchanged buckets until the Suspects found a second wind late in the second half, and took advantage of the Dragons' consecutive turnovers and never looked back. The Dragons need more contribution from veteran Ty Rashad and by having Perkins back in the lineup will allow better match-up options for Lantry. The Suspects played without their top pick Stretch, and its true power is yet to be seen.
Kamikazees 78, Hadouken 58
This was supposed to be the Game of the Week. Kazees captain Basilis Dimitrelias edged out Robby Huang as regular season MVP in the Fall, and picked the commish and two time MVP Paul Tan as his first pick. Last season's leading scorer Robby Huang did not have a strong draft but as history had shown, he was expected to have a strong opening game.
It turned out that Huang was battling with the flu, and he had to be taken out after just 3 minutes of playing. He would later return in spurts, did not ever get it going, finishing with 16 points and 6 rebounds, almost half of his scoring average last season. Rooke Pat McDonald had a strong performance in his debut, finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds. The other rookie Matt Frontera, after a strong showing at the combine, perhaps fatigued by substituting in the earlier game, did not have a good start. He had committed 7 turnovers by half time and would finish with 13 pts, 9 reb, and 11 TOs. The rest of the Hadoukens looked flat and this can be a serious problem. Hopefully veteran playmaker Braden Aletto's return will provide some organization to the team.The Kazees, on the other hand, displayed the definition of balanced attack. They were scoring from all angles with Brian Sullivan and Nate Holmes knocking down a total of seven treys. Draft steal Jason Marshall attacked the rim and defended the lane vehemently. Rookie Chris Hawkins had an impressive showing of 10 pts, 5 reb, and 5 ast. The Greek played to a quiet 16 pts and 16 rebounds, handed out 5 assists along the way. The Commish was not needed much, as he only had to grab 10 rebounds, and led the team in assists with six. This team is the preseason favorites to win it all and they had certainly showed the reasoning behind it.
Panda X 46, Bumblebees 53
Eric Su's Panda X returns with the reigning Finals MVP Anthony Marshall and key big man Drew Paff. The Bees make a return after being disbanded mid-season in the Fall,
headed by veteran John von Arx. von Arx selected sensation Brandon West in the first round, and surrounded him with a group of able role players.The Pandas might as well change their name to Panda Constructions, LLC as they started building bricks right away. They would finish with 20-76 (26.3%) from the field and a pathetic 3-26 from beyond the arc and 3-9 from the line. Anthony Marshall was not in his MVP form as he missed all ten of his 3pt attempts and shot 3-21 overall. Captain Eric Su knocked down two 3s from his newly added long distance arsenal. And played well enough to earn him player of the game honors. In order to succeed, this team will need to work on its chemistry and shot distribution and selection.
The Bees came out flat also, with the exception of Brandon West, who started his season with a made 3 pointer. Rookie Marlon Coutee and veteran Anthony Brock struggled from the field early, but made key baskets down the stretch. Captain John von Arx's saw his first shot being blocked by Masazumi Kondo. He did finish with 12 rebounds. Tim Hoover and Abdul Young stepped up with the defense as they prevail in the end by seven points. The Bees will need its big man and former captain Mahdi Thompson's return to play the five, so Anthony Brock and Brandon West can have more freedom on both ends.
Crouching Tigers 52, Rice Birds 53
The Tigers feature sharpshooter Drew Hester from two seasons ago, and versatile forward Brandon Maddox. Captain Calvin Wilson took a back seat for the most of the game as he observed how his new players meshed with each other. Rookie Adam Turner controlled the tempo well but committed a key late turnover. Rookie Q Williams played strong defense in the lane as he ended up with four blocks. Drew Hester hit 3 threes, all from NBA range. Brandon Maddox was his old self, led the team with 18 points. Rookie Chris Maynard debuted with a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and added 5 assists.
Chris Maynard missing two technical free throws at the end of the gameThe Birds, captained by rookie Tyler Rehrer, is mostly an unknown team as they featured six rookies. Trenton Kemp played a strong game with 21 points and 13 rebounds, and added 4 steals. Rehrer was solid with 10 pts, 7 reb, 4 asts, and 3 stls.
The two teams battled to the end, and in the last minute, with the Birds up by one, Birds center Stephen Farnsworth was fouled by Quentin Williams. Farnsworth reacted strongly to the foul and shoved the ball into Williams' chest. This resulted in a technical foul on Farnsworth. In what was seen as a reverse of fortune for the Tigers, Chris Maynard missed both of technical freethrows and therefore losing the chance to steal the game from the Tigers.
Godzilla 62, Ninja Stars 60
The Ninja Stars is led by Brandon Moore, a first year captain but a seasoned veteran. With the late addition of temporary player Nick Hailey added another chapter to the Hailey brothers feud.
Godzilla came off a disappointing upset loss from last year's championship game. Captain T Hailey remembering what got him there in the first place, selected big man Scott Sauer, who was unable to come to the season opener. Rookie Chris Scott, a former IUPUI Jaguar and the first person in GTBA history with NCAA tournament experience, started off with a beautiful up and under layup. He would finish with 24 pts, dissecting the defense along the way. Rookies Zach Barras and Chris Harden each finished with a double-double. Zach Barras had an impressive 17 pts and 20 rebounds, and had 4 stls and 2 blks to go along with that.
The Ninja Stars came out trailing, and they would trail by double digits at times. But the team ralliled behind Nick Hailey and Phil Johnson, and key buckets by Brandon Moore and Janaule Bennett had made it a one possession game in the last minute. Bennett was not fazed by T Hailey's defense and she had a key layup over the outstretched arm of Zach Barras to cut the score to within one. Nick Hailey would lead the team with 27 points and Moore finished with his career high of 17 rebounds. The Stars had a last shot to win at the buzzer but they did not get the shot off as time expired.
Godzilla looked strong even without their big man and as the team learns to play with each other, they are another favorites to win. The Stars will need more scoring and definitely need an able replacement when Nick Hailey leaves to start his pro career in the Philippines.
Samurais 65, Juggernauts 66
The Juggernauts looked to be a clear favorite to win this game on paper as they
have mismatches at almost every position. Led by the former Birdman Gabe Smith, the lineup featured scorer Theo Simmons and scoring big man Chris Kruithoff, who is arguably the best all around big man in the league. Samurais captain Xiaofan Fu parted ways with Paul Tan at the draft and decided to pick his former Suspects teammate and MVP candidate Titus Wright instead.
Wright did not disappoint as he was destroying the defense from all angles. He would finish with 36 points while knocking down 4 three pointers. His defense was outstanding too as he had five steals and three blocks, despite his 5'7" frame, including one on the 6'6" Kruithoff late in the game. (pictured on the right). Last season's Most Improved Player Xiaofan Fu could not find his groove as he finished with zero points. Chris Wilson provided the help that Wright needed in the first half, scoring 14 points by the half against Kruithoff, to the surprise of many. He would get into foul trouble in the second half, and did not score again.
The Samurais led for the most of the game until Theo Simmons started scoring in the second half, including a fast break dunk in the second half. He would finish with 30 points and 9 rebounds, including a key free throw to tie the game at the end of regulation, and another to win in the shoot out. Kruithoff had an impressive performance of 15 pts and 11 rebounds. Other rookies Eddie Hamilton and Jason Stealy had efficient numbers, however Vincent Bradley will have to play with more confidence as the point guard leading this team.
In the first shoot-out of the season, both teams knocked down their first two free throws, and both team had missed their third and fourth. The deciding free throw was drained by Theo Simmons, and Samurais big man Jacob Wittman caved under the pressure, airballed his last shot, to the disappointment of Rob Taylor, who apparently had made a bet with someone about it being an "all-netter". Technically he did not lose the bet.
The two teams battled to the end, and in the last minute, with the Birds up by one, Birds center Stephen Farnsworth was fouled by Quentin Williams. Farnsworth reacted strongly to the foul and shoved the ball into Williams' chest. This resulted in a technical foul on Farnsworth. In what was seen as a reverse of fortune for the Tigers, Chris Maynard missed both of technical freethrows and therefore losing the chance to steal the game from the Tigers.
Godzilla 62, Ninja Stars 60
The Ninja Stars is led by Brandon Moore, a first year captain but a seasoned veteran. With the late addition of temporary player Nick Hailey added another chapter to the Hailey brothers feud.
Godzilla came off a disappointing upset loss from last year's championship game. Captain T Hailey remembering what got him there in the first place, selected big man Scott Sauer, who was unable to come to the season opener. Rookie Chris Scott, a former IUPUI Jaguar and the first person in GTBA history with NCAA tournament experience, started off with a beautiful up and under layup. He would finish with 24 pts, dissecting the defense along the way. Rookies Zach Barras and Chris Harden each finished with a double-double. Zach Barras had an impressive 17 pts and 20 rebounds, and had 4 stls and 2 blks to go along with that.
The Ninja Stars came out trailing, and they would trail by double digits at times. But the team ralliled behind Nick Hailey and Phil Johnson, and key buckets by Brandon Moore and Janaule Bennett had made it a one possession game in the last minute. Bennett was not fazed by T Hailey's defense and she had a key layup over the outstretched arm of Zach Barras to cut the score to within one. Nick Hailey would lead the team with 27 points and Moore finished with his career high of 17 rebounds. The Stars had a last shot to win at the buzzer but they did not get the shot off as time expired.
Godzilla looked strong even without their big man and as the team learns to play with each other, they are another favorites to win. The Stars will need more scoring and definitely need an able replacement when Nick Hailey leaves to start his pro career in the Philippines.
Samurais 65, Juggernauts 66
The Juggernauts looked to be a clear favorite to win this game on paper as they
have mismatches at almost every position. Led by the former Birdman Gabe Smith, the lineup featured scorer Theo Simmons and scoring big man Chris Kruithoff, who is arguably the best all around big man in the league. Samurais captain Xiaofan Fu parted ways with Paul Tan at the draft and decided to pick his former Suspects teammate and MVP candidate Titus Wright instead.Wright did not disappoint as he was destroying the defense from all angles. He would finish with 36 points while knocking down 4 three pointers. His defense was outstanding too as he had five steals and three blocks, despite his 5'7" frame, including one on the 6'6" Kruithoff late in the game. (pictured on the right). Last season's Most Improved Player Xiaofan Fu could not find his groove as he finished with zero points. Chris Wilson provided the help that Wright needed in the first half, scoring 14 points by the half against Kruithoff, to the surprise of many. He would get into foul trouble in the second half, and did not score again.
The Samurais led for the most of the game until Theo Simmons started scoring in the second half, including a fast break dunk in the second half. He would finish with 30 points and 9 rebounds, including a key free throw to tie the game at the end of regulation, and another to win in the shoot out. Kruithoff had an impressive performance of 15 pts and 11 rebounds. Other rookies Eddie Hamilton and Jason Stealy had efficient numbers, however Vincent Bradley will have to play with more confidence as the point guard leading this team.
In the first shoot-out of the season, both teams knocked down their first two free throws, and both team had missed their third and fourth. The deciding free throw was drained by Theo Simmons, and Samurais big man Jacob Wittman caved under the pressure, airballed his last shot, to the disappointment of Rob Taylor, who apparently had made a bet with someone about it being an "all-netter". Technically he did not lose the bet.
