A Different Game - Same Outcome

The Reignmakers improved their record this past week after defeating Firehouse 49-43.

It was the lowest scoring game of the Reignmakers season and probably the most different of all the games this year.

The Reignmakers only totaled 50 shots, not including free throws, which was the lowest of the season as well. By far the biggest team the good guys have face, Firehouse made it difficult to get the buckets inside, which led the Reignmakers to shoot nearly as many three's, 23, as they did two's, 27.

Firehouses's height and girth inside also showed up in the stat column as the team only shot 30% from inside the arc, while shooting 35% from beyond it. The Reignmakers capitalized on free throw attempts however, hitting nine (60%).

The Reignmakers were once again led by scorer Brandon Hunter (24 points) and sixth man Jason Hunter (12 points, 3/4 free throws), who got the start as the Reignmakers only dressed six men.

Firehouse put up another unique challenge by being the tallest and heaviest team that the Reignmakers had seen this year. The rebounding total of only 18 for the home team, shows this once again in the stat book.

"It was hard on us, even with a good zone defense," Coach Jason Hunter said afterward, "even with a good first defense, their big guys would rumble inside and could just out reach us. Me and Mike struggled keeping them away from the paint up top as well, we could've done a better job at that."

Kerry Hunter was the only one who seemed to have any effect on the glass as he grabbed a solid 7 rebounds. But the big man was held scoreless from the floor for the first time all year. He did score from the line however, hitting five of seven free throws.

The seasons final three games may be the toughest road the Reignmakers face yet. Skully Jaxx, winners of the 2009-2010 league come up next. They had a 5-2 record of this writing, but score the second most points in the league behind the Reignmakers. They follow up that game with Buckeye Super Wash (4-3) and Your Carpenter (3-4). A good run into the playoffs would be a great momentum swing heading towards post season.

"One game at a time," Mike Petrilli said during a call yesterday, "we have our eyes set on our next opponent and we have to play better next week if we want a chance to go 3-0 the rest of the way."