Subject: Team EJ pulls away late to beat undermanned 3-Dimensional squad

3D would be without Andre Jones and Keith Baranowski in this matchup against Team EJ. Despite the lack of availability of some key players for 3D, the game was tied at 13 after 7 minutes of play.

Dan Barbour got off to a slow start while battling flu-like symptoms, but still gutted it out in the matchup and managed to notch another triple-double (34 pts, 12 rebs, and 10 asts). He would lead his team with 20 1st half-points, but one could argue that his ability to facilitate the offense and create easy looks for his teammates was his most impressive contribution.

Team EJ led by Isak, who led all 1^st half-scorers with 22 was not backing down despite being undermanned. Isak scored in various ways, including but not limited to the middy, from deep, and an assortment of moves in the post. Erik Euler was the biggest surprise of the day, he would finish with 21, but 13 of those points came in the 1^st half. He played with a level of assertiveness, I hadn’t seen all season.

Despite the hard-fought effort by 3-D, Team EJ would go into the half leading by 11 (48 – 37), but the game was still within reach.

The second half was all about Team EJ and their arsenal of weapons.

• Dan Barbour 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists 
• Angelo’s 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists
• Rob Wood’s 34 points, 2stls, 2 blocks, and 12 rebounds
• Matt Starr’s 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block

Combined for an absolutely ridiculous offensively onslaught, which included a dominant effort on the boards. Wood and Barbour would combine for 9 consecutive 2^nd half-threes before finally missing, as they would cruise to another victory in the 2^nd as they continue to look like the team to beat prior to the start of the playoffs.

Fantastic win!

A win is a win…

Coming into this game I had Girls Go Wild (GGW) as the favorites by 15 points.  No Keith, no Erik and no subs so I thought for 3 Dimensional (3D).  GGW had their entire team and in an unlikely turn of events 3D ended up having 6 guys ready to play.  Admittedly this didn’t really change my mind in terms of the spread or who I thought would win but it’s always good when both teams have a full squad I guess.

First half:

At the 11:29 mark GGW was up 19-14 and I truly thought this would be the beginning of a blowout.  I was wrong, 3D would battle and to my disbelief we had a 34-34 game at the half.

Halftime stats:

3D:

Andre Jones 2 pts, 1 stl, 2 drebs, 1 ast, 2 fouls

Andrew Marra 4 pts

Patrick Blaikie 11 pts, 2 drebs, 2 asts, 1 foul

Isak Ivanic 12 pts, 1 stl, 5 drebs, 5 asts

Craig Baranowski (fill-in) 5 pts, 0-1 from three, 1-2 from the free throw line, 1 oreb, 1 foul

GGW:

Ben Mitchell 1 oreb

Brian Civale 9 pts, 1 blk, 5 drebs, 1 ast, 2 fouls

John Harding 8 pts, 1 stl, 1 oreb, 4 drebs, 5 asts, 1 foul

Chas Belliveau 1 stl, 2 drebs, 5 asts

Michael “Ghost” Fraher 17 pts, 3 drebs, 1 foul

Player of the half:

Ghost

Second half:

Finally GGW woke up and at the 15:26 mark had a 49-36 lead.  Just when I thought a blowout was in the making, 3D fought back and only trailed 60-55 with 7:51 left.  Ultimately this would be the closest 3D would come and GGW would go on to win this one 74-63.

Grades:

Andre Jones B- fouled out and went 0fer from three but still had a solid all-around game.

Andrew Marra B scored efficiently in the minimal opportunities he was given.

Patrick Blaikie A shot the three ball really well while also getting 2 stls and some other stats.

Isak Ivanic B+ his team definitely needed more scoring from him but he also did play well overall and all-around.  

Craig Baranowski (fill-in) B- 13 pts, 0-2 from three, 1-2 from the freethrow line, 5 orebs, 2 drebs, 1 foul.  String double double game but I just can’t ignore the 0fer from three.

Christopher Stull (fill-in) C+ 0-2 from three.  He didn’t score but still gave them a much need 6th man.

Ben Mitchell C+ did end up scoring to go along with that offensive rebound.

Brian Civale A shot the three ball efficiently again and also stuffed the stat sheet.

John Harding A really turned it on in the second half and did everything in his power to help his team win.

Chas Belliveau A his stats don’t jump out at me but this was still a very solid game.  Since he’s essentially running the show at PG and not responsible for scoring that much he is required to do other things which he did extremely effectively.

Michael “Ghost” Fraher A his scoring cooled down in the second half but he was still efficient as hell.  It was nice to see him grab some rebounds too but ultimately his role on this team is to score and that’s exactly what he did at a high clip.

Alan Orellana C I liked that he did manage to get some stats but ultimately he didn’t look healthy in this game.  Maybe he was and just decided to dial it back some.  At the end of the day though his team won.

Player of the game:

John Harding had the most balanced complete game of everyone playing.  I enjoyed watching him will his team to victory in the second half.

They did what they were supposed to but that wasn’t what impressed me…

Coming into this game I had Too Small (TS) as only a 10 point favorite.  I originally thought Keith was in for 3 Dimensional (3D) but he ended up being out but his brother was somehow allowed to play in his place despite 3D having 4 rostered guys.  TS had their entire team.  Having this complete knowledge in hindsight I probably would’ve had TS as a favorite by more than 10 points.

First half:

When I say this game was super ugly to start that would be an understatement.  At the 14 minute mark TS was up 10-11.  To my surprise and everyone else watching in the gym (I think it was just Alan and I) the game was still close 18-17 with 10 minutes left in the half and TS up.  While TS controlled that half up 29-23 this game looked far from over.

Halftime stats:

3D:

Andre Jones 2 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk, 1 oreb, 3 drebs, 1 ast, 1 foul

Andrew Marra 3 orebs, 2 drebs

Patrick Blaikie 1 stl, 1 foul

Erik Euler 13 pts, 1 stl, 3 orebs, 3 drebs

Craig Baranowski (fill-in) 10 pts, 1 stl, 3 drebs, 1 foul

TS:

Djordje Vlajkovic 5 pts, 5 orebs, 4 drebs, 3 asts, 1 foul

Dan Waldman 2 drebs, 1 ast, 1 foul

Joseph Breda 12 pts, 4 stls, 3 drebs, 2 fouls

Nick Lynch 12 pts, 2 orebs, 2 drebs , 1 ast

Jake Darby 1 dreb

Daniel Lyman 1 dreb

Player of the half:

Joseph Breda 

Second half:

Although the game remained close and became a lot more entertaining TS never was in jeopardy of losing this game.  With leads of 52-46 with 9:23 left and 62-51 with 5:34 left.  TS went on to win 69-63.

Grades:

Andre Jones B I liked the game he played and he had a balanced game.

Andrew Marra C did get some stats but unfortunately for him he was unable to score.  He played limited minutes though and still contributed.

Patrick Blaikie B+ he got hot from three and was one of the reasons the game remained close.  The 2 stls were great along with the other steals.

Erik Euler A arguably was the best player on the floor and had lots of moments when he was simply unguardable.  I hope this is a glimpse of more to come.

Craig Baranowski (fill-in) B+ 14 pts, 2-5 from three, 1 stl, 1 oreb, 6 drebs, 1 foul.  The made threes were the biggest surprise but he played well.

Djordje Vlajkovic B a solid double double in a win.

Dan Waldman B he did miss a three but to his credit he only took one.  He managed to get a bunch of stats and didn’t force anything.

Joseph Breda A I know he’s mad at me because he says he had at least one assist.  Let me give you a vet secret.  When you make the assist yell out or say assist so I know when it happens.  Ultimately Joe had a solid game a put his team in a great position to win this game.

Nick Lynch A+ did everything in an efficient manner.  With no one on the other side to really match up with him and he took full advantage of this.

Jake Darby C didn’t play much but did get a rebound.

Daniel Lyman C+ took maybe 2 total shots but still managed to get more rebounds then some other guys who played more minutes than him.  I would definitely like to see him given more of an opportunity going forward.

Player of the game:

Nick Lynch again he was too good and played really well.