Winter 2011 - Week 3 Recap

Panda X def. Tigers (60-59)

Drew Paff with a MONSTER block!

This game turned out to be a thriller. The pace of the game was fast with many quick guards running the tempo on both rosters. The Tigers once again heavy favorites on paper and early favorite to win it all disappointed due to lack of team chemistry and several unforced turnovers. 16 turnovers to only 6 assists! The numbers do not lie. Panda on the other hand with an 0-2 records played with something to prove. Dustin Pervine and Anthony Marshal took over from start to finish and together combined for 44 of the 60 points for panda and along with Drew Puff with his defensive presence of 5 blocks and 13 rebounds they were able to hang with the Tigers and in the end pull off the overtime 3-2 shootout. For the Tigers once again Brandon Maddox carried the team with his inside presence and finished with another strong game of 26 points and 14 rebounds. In the end though it came down to free throws and for the second time in three games the Tigers were unable to close the game when they had a chance to do so.
The Tigers now fall to 1-2 and Captain Calvin Wilson may be wondering what is going wrong with his dream team. Panda improves to 1-2 and Captain Erik Su is hopeful that his gamble in the draft to pick two scoring guards demanding the ball can actually work.

Kamikazee Vs. Samurai (88-83)

Titus skys for the easy 2

Two of the top teams so far in the GTBA Winter season collided in week 3 and they did not disappoint. In a high scoring game with allot of physical play and two different strategies the Kamikazes where the ones who were able to pull away with the slim victory despite a GTBA all time league high in points scored by Titus Wright. Titus would finish the game with 56 points! on 22 of 45 shooting but fell short to the Kamikazee balanced attack. Kamikazees lead by their captain who started the game on 1 for 4 shooting but made his next 7 shots down the stretch along with four other players in double figures proved once again that the GTBA can have a "pass" first team.
Game Notes:
Kamikazees fell behind early trying to adjust to the quickness of Titus but eventually switched to a zone trying to control the other four Samurai players and took a commanding lead midway through the half and never looked back although Samurais stayed close in the end.
The Samurais who were also missing big man and league veteran Chris Wilson committed 20 team fouls. Kamikazee captain Basilis took an elbow in the mouth by fellow captain Xiaofan late in the first half but would return with all teeth in tact and later claim he was also bunched in the head while trying to grab a rebound. Of course it was a no-call since the punch came from noted boxer and referee intimidator Joe Hughes.
Kamikazee improved to 3-0 while Samurai drop to 1-2 but do not let this record full youthis team is for real.

Haduken def. Godzilla (76-63)

Zach Barras pushes it upcourt

The Zillas and Haduken match up in week 3 was a yet another game without Zillas 1st round draft pick Scott Sauer. Haduken broke out to an early 7-0 run as there much quicker lineup forced Zilla to rethink its game plan. It was also a bad sign that Zillas 2nd and 3rd picks showed up to the game 6 minutes into the first as Chris Scott and Zach Barras tried to help climb out of the hole that Zilla had dug at the start of the game. Chris Harden had his best game of the season as he put up 17pts and 9rbs, 2stls, and 2 blks.  But the late arrival and newly acquired Ty Rashad was not enough to pull out the victory as Robby Huang lead Haduken to its first win of the season. Also about half-way through the 2nd half Chris Scott dislocated a finger on his shooting hand is will be a game-time decision for the week 4 game.

Haduken was able to grab an early lead, and had 4 players in double digit scoring. This was a solid game also on the glass for Haduken as they held the league’s leading rebounder Zach Barras to only 8rbs as they out rebounded Zilla 50-28. Haduken recorded 2 players with double-doubles, Robby and Dean Mazdai. Braden Aletto was 1 rebound shy and Matt Frontera was 2 rebounds short of having double-double games too. “As the season goes on you can see this playing better together each game.” said T Hailey.  This game was won by Haduken and there tenacious attack on the boards as Robby Huang was rumored to be shopping for a big. Let’s see if this game changes his mind and Dean and Pat can hold it down in the paint.

Winter 2011 - Week 2 Recap

Juggernauts def. Godzilla (68-59)

The Juggernauts managed to handle Godzilla relatively easy this week, winning 68 to 59. Without Zilla’s first round pick, Scott Sauer, for the 2^nd week in a row Zilla could not overcome the lack of size in the paint. As the Juggernauts had 3 starters with double figure rebound games, led by Jason Stealy with 14 total rebounds. Zack Barras the leagues rebounding leader had other solid game on the glass with 14pts-14reb game, but expect his rebounding number to go down with the return of Sauer. Chris Scott had a game he will want to forget about as he went an ice cold 6 for 28 from the field.

Chris Kruithoff Turns his ankle put on IR

Before the game, and days leading up to it, Theo Simmons, wrote on Zilla’s captain’s Facebook wall about how he was going to have a monster game. He was able to back it up, recording a double-double. A very efficient 44 points, and 12 rebounds, helped his team to the win. Improved play from rookie Vincent Bradley, helped overcome the early loss of Juggernauts 1^st round pick Chris Kruithoff, who sprained his ankle and had to be wheel chaired out of the gym. Chris’s ankle may have him out the rest of the season. Rumor is Toni Tone will be his replacement.

*Trade Alert*

After week 2, Zilla’s captain, Thomas ‘T’ Hailey, and Dragon’s captain, Rob Taylor agreed to a straight up trade, sending Bryan Compton to the Dragons in exchange for Ty Rashad. This should improve the lack of outside scoring for Zilla and improve the locker room chemistry for the Dragons.

Samurai def.  Hadouken (82-73)

Samurais bounce back from a disappointing overtime loss to the Juggernauts. Once again Titus Wright led the way dropping 38 points and at times making his opponents look silly. Samurais have the size and speed to compete against any team in the GTBA. Joe Hughes the veteran and champion from last year with the Unusuals received a technical during the game after several complains about the officiating. The referees were just glad no bunches were thrown. The
officiating was outstanding in comparison to some of the earlier games.

Titus Wright with one of his 3 blocks

On the other side Hadouken struggled again even with the addition of Braden Alletto in the starting lineup. The team is lacking chemistry and size and turnovers were once again a problem. They have been unable to utilize their best weapon and league leading scorer from last year Robby Huang, who struggled with his shooting going 4 for 15 from long range. The game was tied after one half but eventually the samurais were able to pull away for the fairly easy victory.

Kamikazes def. Ninja Stars (97-75)

Basilios reverse layup

Kamikazes took control early and never looked back. Once again with balanced scoring and passing. Six out of seven Kamikaze players scored in double figures and they reached 20 or more assists for the second consecutive game and out-rebounded the Ninja Stars by 22. Chris Hawkins who may be the steal of this year’s draft came off the bench and hit 11 of 14 shots for 23 points to lead all scorers. For the Ninja Stars Nick Hailey who did not play in the first half came in firing in the second filling up the stat sheet and finishing with 23 points and 4 assists on 50% shooting.

Both teams had 12 three points FG made. Ninja Stars had a much better second half with the addition of Hailey as the Kamikazes took the foot off the gas and set their tempo to cruise control. Kamikazes are now ready for a real test next week versus the Samurais who have the size and arguably the best point guard in the league so far.

Nate Holmes raises his arm in victory

Birds vs BBB

I thought it was a joke," said Bumblebees Captain John von Arx.  "Either  i'm a lot stronger than I think, or the 6'5" guy flopped."