Kansas City: Which Team Is Finer?

Who’s the Finest of them all?! KC’s or OP’s both win big this week!

With back to back games this week, it would be a very exciting week in Ultimate Hoops, Kansas City. Monday’s games would result in a forfeit for Celtics, giving them their first loss of the season, but that was not the true highlight of the night.

The big game on highlight was between KC Generals and Alodia. With Alodia losing their momentum they had in the beginning of the season and KC Generals on a 2 game winning streak they were able to pull above the free-agent team that everyone scouted to be a top seed this session. Alodia playing with so much heart to out-play their opponent, could not stop KC Generals Monday night. Rich Sounakhen with an all star night was 5-5 from beyond the arc with a great game shooting 75% FG, contributing 23 points. Daniel Trotter and Carlos Scruggs also had big games as well with Scruggs having a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds, Alodia could not stop him. Trotter a quiet 23 points in the game, may be someone that the rest of the teams should be on the look out for. Alodia fought hard down to the last seconds of the game, Dalon Hardgraves with a game high 36 points and 14 rebounds was not enough to pull his team to a victory. Contributing players also include Aaresh Noori, and Jordyn Chamberlin. Noori 5’6 PG and fast strength was able to drive to the hole several times but with the defense of KC Generals he was stopped. Chamberlin who has been pretty quiet since game 2 of the season, was still able to put up double digit points but with the season coming close to and end and play off starting to gear up he is going to have to get his momentum back and keep his team going.

With two games this week, would the teams be able to bounce back and play again on Wednesday, it was a true test for a lot of the teams.

KC’s Finest who had a game off on Monday, would be able to try and avenge their loss against Cobras, who took their first victory against them in Week 5. With a couple of their players gone and one of their top scorers, Rayner Fredrick on injury, KC’s Finest would have to play hard. With sharp shooter, Dusty Burdolski hitting 6-7 three pointers, and contributing 20 points, he may be heating up at just the right time with the regular season coming to an end. 5’10 Guard, Jade Walton with 12 rebounds this game was able to grab those boards and keep KC’s finest in this game. KC’s Finest knew to get a victory over the Cobras this game they would need to shut down big man, Adam Coatney. Only allowing Coatney 20 points this game with a 28% FG KC’s Finest were able to quiet down Coatney, but Cobras had another player who would take the lead for the team, Curt McDonald. With his soccer-like agility, he would be able to make some fast drives that contributed 30 points to his team’s final score. McDonald may be another player that the teams should be looking out for in the playoffs.

Celtics and KC Generals would be a battle of two of the best teams; would this game foreshadow our championship game? With the Celtics almost undefeated this season, they needed to play big and hard this game. Scruggs contributed huge before fouling out this game, with 24 points and 14 rebounds but it was not enough. With KC Generals up at half by 2 and with multiple leads in the first half, would they be able to dominate against the Celtics. Chad Wessel, Celtics star player, who is averaging a double-double would not let that happen, taking his team to a victory over KC Generals. With 27 points and 12 rebounds, he would keep would put up big numbers and boards in the second half. Celtics, Joshua Lopez, also had a great game, with 15 points shooting 56% this 5’7 PG showed his strength to drive through KC Generals defense. Celtics may have to maintain their strength however if they are going to meet up with KC Generals again in the playoffs.

OP’s Finest and Alodia would match up on Wednesday, already playing each other once this season; OP’s Finest knew what they needed to do to play against this free-agent team. Defending Chamberlin, leagues leading scorer and Hardgraves would be the test. Chamberlin who had a great night with 28 points and 16 rebounds got his stride back and played a big game for his team, and OP’s Finest would need to stop him in the second half to keep their lead going. Able to shut down Noori’s driving force to holding him only to 5 points this game, they were playing up to their potential offensively and now defensively. With both teams showing unbelievable strength and heart, there were moments of this game that tempers would be high only adding fuel to each team. OP’s Finest, Jehren Raney came out to play for his team, with 25 points he needed to be defended as his team would quote! Contributing on the glass however, Tim Ciccone, muscling in 14 rebounds for his team, would be a big factor for his team’s victory. “Chamberlin at 22 years old may be one of the hardest guys to defend in this league” - Ciccone stated in not only his defensive battle against Chamberlin but realizing his age and strength difference also!

With the season coming to an end and only one game of regular season left to play, will teams be able to muster up their strength and showcase their talent and skills that will take them to the championship game and most importantly win the overall title of Ultimate Hoops Kansas City Spring Season Champs? Our last game of regular season on Monday will be the test for many of the teams. Will OP’s finest be able to keep their streak alive and play the dominate Celtics? Can KC’s Finest defend Alodia’s force of the Chamberlin and Hardgraves combination? Will the Cobras be able to get their stride together again and bring a victory over KC Generals? All these questions will soon be answered. Playoffs just around the corner, everyone will be ready with their game face on for Monday!!

Don’t forget to check out http://www.uhlife.com for up to date stats and schedules! Also follow analysts, Zeke Cuddy @therealzeke and Jess Weidler @Jessuhoopskc for in game tweets and pics! – Jess Weidler


Thanks!! See ya Monday at LNA
–Jess