Colorado Springs Winter-2012-Open Division Recap

Colorado Springs Winter-2012-Open Division Recap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wipHJ75Xm60&feature=youtu.be

With the inaugural season out of the way and Downtown claiming the crown. The second season is looking to be a lot more competitive. Only the top 3 teams (Downtown, The Classics & Hooligans)are returning from the great fall season. Not knowing who would be on the new 5 0r 6 teams (Team Flight, Roundball, Cordera, Team Swish, 719 Crew & possible late entry Alabam Hot Pockets)one would assume this season would be a cake walk for any one of the proven 3 teams. But from the looks of Thursday night's new faces and talent that assumption is so far from the truth

Game #1
Team Flight vs The Classics

The Classics kicked off the season looking to remind the old teams and show the new ones who they were (might I add they did not disappoint). Keko Kutcher (0 points, 6 rebounds & 4 assist) showed why you can't always look at stats to see how valuable you are to a team, because hustle stats (contested shots and diving for loose balls) don't always show up in the books. His hustle rubbed off on fellow teammate Richard "Quick Hands" Bulik as he had a career high 4 steals while adding 11 points & 4 assist. Looking to put this game away early was Eric Miller pouring in 22 points on 9-14 shooting. Steve Nelson lead his team with 24 points & 8 rebounds while shooting 69% from the field. Definitely a team effort being Judah "2 Techs" Morales stayed away from the refs and Bryan Yaninek added 2 entertaining free throws (guess the bank is open late).

On the other side was team flight making their ultimate hoops debut. Probably not the way they hoped things would go, but sometimes you have to take a "L". One of the new players making his presence known during his debut was Zach Hawkins. Dropping 31 points (41% 3pt & 3 steals)against a quality team is a good look and shows he could be a problem throughout the league. Being down 17 at the half would prove to be too big of a deficit. Kent Waugh added 8 points on 4-7 shooting while the rest of the team shot a combined 4-20 in the game. With a late night signing of Chip Huss they should be able to put up bigger numbers.

Next Week: The Classics (1-0) vs Downtown (1-0); Team Flight (0-1) Bye

Game #2

719 Crew vs Team Swish

On paper this was set to be the second best game on the schedule for the night. Sad to say this game was like a Pacio fight (no contest and looking more towards the concert afterwards). Team Swish with two of the best slashers in the game on the court at the same time had us thinking highlight reel in the making. The highlight low of the night was the team only putting up 10 1st half points. C.J. Dumas not having one of his best nights threw in 13 points on 5-16 shooting and 6 rebounds. While Malcolm Robertson dropped 26 points (9-27 fg, 1-6 3pt, 7-9 ft & 4 rebounds) the rest of the team was a combined 4-20 from the field (while only dishing out 1 assist as a team). We will be tuned in to see how the rebound next week.

719 Crew ate their wheaties and had plenty to smile about after their performance. Leading the way was rookie David Howell with 25 points on 12-18 shooting. From the crowd response tonight he is definitely a fan favorite (punctuating his night with 2 handed dunk). A team effort on defense and the big "3" Kenny Green (13pts, 7rebs), Reggie Small (15pts, 10rebs)and Noah Garguile (18pts, 10rebs) cleaning up on the boards made for a easy blow out. Throw in Angelito "sharop shooter" Sarmiento 8pts (3-4fg)off the bench and Nate "Hustle Hard" Allen...Game Over!!!

Next Week: Team Swish (0-1) vs Hooligans (0-1); 719 Crew (1-0) vs Roundball (1-0)

Game #3

Roundball vs Cordera

Disappointed with last seasons early exit in the playoffs Michael Danielson and Ben Gibson cleaned house. With key off season signings (Tevin "T.J." Holt & Corey Brown) and a new name they were out to shift the power rankings. After the 1st game nerves went away the stars shined with their usual performance. Corey Brown being a beast in the paint muscled in 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Michael Danielson had a pretty normal night with 17 points, 7 rebounds, but 4 turnovers. Rookie Ben Feilmileier wasn't looking to be left out as he treated the fans with a team leading 20 points (7-13fg, 4-73pt & 6rebs). David Jones Added 15 points and 6 assist.

Cordera came in with a fulls squad, but little was known about them. Having only 1 player under 6 foot from the start was looking to be all the info they needed to put out there. Keeping it close throughout the 1st half was going to be key in sneaking out this victory. Joshua Bevans was definitely doing all he could to stick to the game plan while scoring 13 1st half points. He would finish the game with 25 points and 7 rebounds. With some help from Maxwell Abbott (10pts & 8rebs) and Jonathan Harvey's 7 rebounds they were primed for an upset. But Roundball stretched their 4 point half time lead to 18 killing those hopes.

Next Week: Cordera (0-1) vs Alabama Hot Pockets (0-0); Roundball (1-0) vs 719 Crew (1-0)

Game #4

Downtown vs Hooligans

Like with a lot of basketball clubs in the world when you don't live up to expectations....you hit the free agent pool for key pieces. Losing Nate Allen to free agency was definitely a blow to their short handed bench. Though key pick-ups in Sarah "3's All Day" FitzPatrick and Michael Harper should fill that void. Leading the charge in what was supposed to be last seasons championship game was second year player Jason Privett with his 14 points shooting 50% from the field. With Michael Harper running point allows some players on this team to play their natural position. Jumping out to an impressive early 6 point lead showed how quick and lethal this team could be. But lack of execution down the stretch had the game knotted 27-27 at the half. Going away from key shooters in the second half and shooting 36% from the field was not going to be enough against the defending champs. Team GM/Coach Dan Jordahl chipped in 8 points on 3-4 shooting off the bench. Sam McKenzie finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

You know winning is never easy when you have a big target on your back. As they say, "If it's not broke then don't fix"...well like any championship team you have to tweek the roster here and there. So GM/Player Brian Smith went out and picked up the #1 free agent in Israel "Fig" Figueroa and rookie (veteran baller) Kenny Lewter. This game was looking a little shaky in the early going with Jasmin "Jazz" Williams getting off to a rough start at the point (8pts, 38%fg, 3asst). But when you have a team motto "team ball" individuals don't matter, because everything will work itself out. Israel Figueroa (24pts, 15rebs & 4blks) brought his "nobody outworks me" mentality and everything else fell into place. Brian Smith brought his hard hat cleaneng up on the boards with 14 and adding 15 points. Kenny Lewter added 8 points shooting 80% from the field. Phil Valdez (7pts), Mark Nigon (4pts), Neal Robinson (5pts)& Marcus Curry (10pts & 8rebs) finished the game shooting 11-22 from the field.

Next Week: Downtown (1-0) vs The Classics (1-0); Hooligans (0-1) vs Team Swish (0-1)

***Making Their Debut This Week Will Be Alabama Hot Pockets vs Cordera***