Game 1 recaps
Champaign at Cleveland
Champaign started the first game of the season off hot as they led at the half by 1 pt on the road. Cleveland went with a surprise inside look on offense and with Allan Weber sustaining an injury Cleveland was too much at home taking the game 105 to 82. The old vet Marco Nicol paced Cleveland with 25 while Grecijonas had 20 for Champaign.
VD's at Red Terrors
Opposites did not attract when VD's took their patient approach into Red Terrors fast paced push. This game showcased three tremendous guards with Navales of the Terrors putting up 33 and Benson and Wilson putting up 26 and 23 respectively. Wilson was a true standout narrowly missing a triple double. The Red Terrors showed that they were a team to be respected but the two VD's guards were too much with the final score at 106-92.
Tachenko at Flames
The Flames stayed true to their name keeping the ball on fire as they shot at a torrid pace. Kourelis netted 22 points for the hometeam but Mayagoita was the story of the night. Always in the MVP conversations Mayagoita proved tonight that he is a man amoung boys underneath on most nights. With 30 points and 25 rebounds Mayagoita is surely to be in the talk for player of the week. Final score 96-78 Tachenko
Dutchmen at Phantoms
The Dutchmen went into the Phantoms home court tonight with a game plan that must have included resting some starters. The Dutchmens studs Hutson and Gagis were in suits on the bench. Speculation has it that the Dutchmen are resting Hutsons shooting arm for games ahead. The Phantoms took advantage of the lineup and quickly put 5 of their starters in double digits. The Phantoms blew out the Dutchmen bench tonight by 43. Final 115-72 Phantoms
BobCats at Royal Challengers
The BobCats went into the Challengers arena shooting the ball from downtown and drained 10 three pointers. The outside prowess was not enough as the old vet Skalec pounded the ball inside for the Challengers and drained 31 points including a 3 pointer. Paul Overstreet told reporters later that he saw Skalec close his eyes on that 3 point shot but it still torched the net. Each team put 4 players in double digits and Cemre drained 27 for the Cats but Challengers take this one at home 102-90.
Phakeouts at Allstars
The Phakeouts brought their inside minded offense into the Allstars arena on Saturday night. With 5 guys in double figures and obvioulsy putting a little more into their game you would think that the score would have been different but the Allstars also had 5 in double figures and the bench seems to have played a big role in Allstars 7 point victory. This was a very close game until the Allstars added some distance in the 4th quarter. Both teams could have done better from 3 pt land and the Phakeouts may find themselves practicing freethrows next practice. Final 88-81 Allstars
No Potential at Crank
With 55 three pt shots taken in this game what fan didn't enjoy the show. Both teams were firing away and this first game proved to be an exciting battle between both PG's. Beckman for NP had 36 and Pettito for Crank had 33. what a show they put on. In the end it came down to a superior 4th quarter by the NP gang and they stole one from Crank in their own arena 101-99.
Michigan at Prov City
Michigan had 4 in double figures with Jones hitting for 32 and dishing 9 to others. You would think with a 43 pt win Prov fans wouldn't have much to say but wow check out Faerber with the Game 1 high of 46 pts. Unfortunately he took 48 shots and only hit 16 but nonetheless 46 pts is impressive. Michigan took this one easy 116-73.
Game 1 MVP Mayagoita 30 pts 25 rbs 3 stl, 2 blks, 2 ast
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)
Faerber 46 pts 4 rbs, 2 stl
Skalek 31 pts 13 rebs, 4 stl, 1 blk, 2 ast
Cemre 27 pts 11 rebs, 2 stl 1 blk
Beckman 36 pts 5 rebs, 4 stl, 2 blks, 5 ast
Jones 32 pts 4 rebs, 6 stl, 9 ast