4 and 5 seeds locked up…

Coming into this game as is this case with every week I picked The Defense Rest (TDR) to win.  Granted we were missing Ty, Angelo and Lou and had a sub in Musse, I didn’t care.  I wasn’t picking against my team.  On the opposite A Dwyer Situation was missing Jason and Seth.  Two very important players but they still had 4 rostered guys in Dwyer, Jamil, Nate and Sami.

I don’t recall the actual halftime stats or score  as I was playing but ADS was comfortably ahead by maybe 20 points.

Halftime standouts:

Noah Landy 4 made threes

Jamil Ball 18 pts 5 rebs 4 asts 3 stls

Nate Elfassy 12 pts, 10 rebs 3 asts

Second half the game never really became close as ADS would cruise to victory 89-68.

Player Grades:

Brian Civale A- his three ball was off but he was able to stuff the stat sheet.

Noah Landy A shot the shit out of the basketball and got some rebounds.

Musse Kassa B wasn’t trying to do too much but did take away a three from Noah smh.

Jamil Ball A+ did everything and shot efficiently.

Joe Dwyer A his three ball was off but it didn’t matter as his team won comfortably and he stuffed the stat sheet.

Sami Hameid A knocked down several two point jumpers after being left open.  Also wasn’t a defensive liability.

Nate Elfassy A+ a ridiculous triple double and 5 steals.  A really good game.

Players of the game:

Jamil and Nate both guys were instrumental in the win.  Thanks again to Alan and DP for keeping stats. Also remember next season sign-ups are open.  Don’t forget to sign up here’s the link https://cacbasketball.playbookapi.com/programs/register/

Impressive win….

A quick reminder before I get to it, league sign ups are open for the Spring 2024 Season.  If you haven’t yet signed up click on this link: https://cacbasketball.playbookapi.com/programs/register/.
 

Coming into this game I had A Dwyer Situation (ADS) as 5 point favorites.  I wasn’t really sure how healthy Nick Lynch was and I just couldn’t see ADS losing 2 games in a row.
 

First half:

It looked as if D10 came prepared to play.  5 minutes into the game they were up 12-7.  It was pretty much a back and forth game for the duration of the half.  While some good defensive plays were being made, both teams were able to score baskets with ease.  ADS was up 43-39 at the half.

Halftime stats:

ADS:

Jamil Ball 8 pts, 1 stl, 5 orebs, 3 drebs, 10 asts

Joe Dwyer 13 pts, 1 stl, 1 oreb, 9 drebs, 2 asts

Sami Hameid 8 pts, 1 ast

Jason Escoto 14 pts, 1 oreb, 1 dreb

D10:

Neil Aggarwal 2 pts, 1 stl, 1 dreb, 1 ast

Colin Gray 4 pts, 1 stl, 1 oreb

Patrick Blaikie 10 pts, 1 stl, 2 asts

Nick Lynch 13 pts, 3 blks, 3 orebs, 6 drebs, 4 asts

Daniel Lyman 2 pts, 1 dreb

Chris Lynch 8 pts, 2 stls, 1 blk, 4 asts

Player of the half:

Jamil Ball
 

Second half:

With 9:24 left in the half the game was tied at 53. More back and forth and ADS took the lead back 60-59 with 5 minutes left in the half.  For the next 2 minutes and 30 seconds D10 went on a 9-0 run forcing ADS to take a timeout now down 68-60.  The game was over, right?  Nope ADS went on a 5-0 run of their own forcing D10 to take a timeout now only up 68-65 with 53.7 seconds remaining.  A Chris Lynch assist to to Pat for the layup sealed the game for D10.  The would go on to win 70-68.
 

Player Grades:

Jamil Ball A- another game where he basically did everything.  Lowered his grade because of his three point shooting percentage but a really good game again.

Joe Dwyer A- had a great all around game.  I added the negative to his grade because of his three point shooting percentage.

Sami Hameid B didn’t take any threes and still managed to come close to double figure scoring.  He’s playing better and better each week.

Jason Escoto A- cannot ignore his three point shooting percentage but outside of that was still good.

Neil Aggarwal B+ I’ve seen him play better but did a good job of playing his role and helping his team win.

Colin Gray B- the 0fer from three hurt his grade. Outside of that, he got some good stats.

Patrick Blaikie A I could knock his grade for going 0fer from the free throw line but he made the game winning layup so I could care less about the free throws.  He shot the three ball effectively in this game too.

Nick Lynch A- his three point shooting percentage can’t be ignored but he was still dominant and played well in every other aspect of the game.

Daniel Lyman B played his role well and helped his team secure the victory.

Chris Lynch A- his three bal wasn’t great but the rest of his game was.  Overall played a great game while filling the stat sheet too.  

Player of the game:

Nick Lynch while he definitely hit help and key plays from his teammates to help secure the victory.  He was the best all-around player in this game.

They did what they were supposed to do….

Coming into this game I had Eman Mentality (EM) as a 1 point favorite over A Dwyer Situation (ADS) without knowing the attendance for ADS.  I did know that EM would be at full strength.  I guessed that ADS wouldn’t be and I was right.  After my lines, Joe confirmed he was out and most likely Seth.  Admittedly I probably should’ve made my lines higher in favor of EM but I decided to just leave them as is.

First half:

6 minutes into the game and EM was 15-5.  Not sure if it was good defense or bad offense but for whatever ADS just couldn’t find an offensive rhythm.  They were down big at the half 35-19.

Halftime stats:

EM:

Jorge Morel 8 pts, 3 orebs, 4 drebs, 1 ast

Steve Rakusin 3 pts, 1 stl, 2 orebs, 4 drebs, 1 ast

Andrew Marra 2 pts

Charlie Maneval 5 pts, 1 dreb, 1 ast

James Mulvehill 4 pts, 3 blks, 4 orebs, 5 drebs, 3 asts

Emmanuel Okharedia 13 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk, 3 drebs, 2 asts

ADS:

Jamil Ball 8 pts, 4 orebs, 2 drebs

Sami 2 oreb, 3 drebs

Nate Elfassy 4 pts, 2 stls, 2 drebs, 2 asts

Jason Escoto 7 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk, 3 drebs, 1 ast

Player of the half:

Emmanuel Okharedia

Second half:

Although ADS didn’t give up playing, they were just never able to make the game competitive.  EM wins 75-53.
 

Player Grades:

Jorge Morel A made both of his threes he took and just played solid basketball.  I do think he can do more but no need to inflate that APR 😉.

Steve Rakusin B- had to lower his grade because you never call another man a bitch just for not shaking your hand or in general.  People have lost their life for less and ultimately it’s just basketball.  On the court though he was solid.  Good rebounding numbers to go with other stats.

Andrew Marra B didn’t miss a free throw but didn’t make a three.  Regardless what I like most about Andrew is he’s always giving maximum effort when on the court.  He also plays smart and a lot of what he does well won’t show up on the stat sheet.

Charlie Maneval B wasn’t as good as last week but still good.

James Mulvehill A- I’m forced to lower his grade for going 0-3 from three but outside of that was fantastic.

Emmanuel Okharedia A was efficient and played a smart game.  He was basically back to himself.

Jamil Ball A- his free throw and three point shooting wasn’t good but he did some good things out there.  To me the most important thing he did was after the game.  Jamil is such a smart basketball player he’s literally playing chess and I love it.

Sami A- his rebounding numbers were good but his three point shooting not so much.  I have new respect for him for controlling himself despite being disrespected as a man.

Nate Elfassy B- his 0fer from three can’t be ignored.  I do think he still had a pretty good game.

Jason Escoto B+ I can’t really go to high on his grade because his team lost.  He did play well though.  I can’t really point to something he needed to do better.

Players of the game:

James and Emmanuel.  Both guys were equally important in securing this win for EM.  I do think they both can play better which is scary but regardless both guys were excellent in this game.