Saturday, December 17, 2011

The Mailmen Control Early, Move to 3-0

Written by Brandon Hunter

The Mailmen(3-0) continued their winning ways by defeating Firehouse(0-3), in a one sided contest, 72-27.

The Mailmen had to dig deep into their reserves due to the fact that Jason Hunter(honeymoon) and Kerry Hunter(injury) were both out this week. Clinton Weigel was contacted and agreed on a 10 day contract giving the Mailmen 6 men for the contest.

Though vastly undersized the Mailmen started the game by scoring using an uptempo offense that the opposition couldn't keep up with. Leading the Mailmen in scoring, Brandon Hunter(20pts, 11rebs) began the contest scoring the Mailmen's first 12 points and there was no looking back from there. The fast paced offense left Firehouse winded and without an answer for the scoring barrage. 5 of the 6 members of the squad were in scored in double digits and though size was against them crashing the glass was not an issue. Johno Reminder(15pts, 9rebs) and Andy Kempf(11pts, 9rebs) are the post players doing an excellent job filling the shoes of injured big man K. Hunter by averaging 10 and 9 rebounds per contest.

Mike Giardina(10pts, 3rebs), Pat Cripple(12pts, 5rebs), and Weigel(4pts, 7rebs) solid perimeter defense was a main reason the Mailmen held their opponent to only 8 first half points. Their on the ball pressure was too much for Firehouse to handle leading to many steals and fast break points.

K. Hunter, acting as coach while he's sidelined with knee and hamstring injuries, was impressed with the quickness added to the roster this year:

"Mike G's and Crip's speed and endurance is great," Hunter said, "the on the ball pressure will be a huge when facing some of the tougher teams, we couldn't provide that pressure last year without getting gassed late in the game."

Returning to the lineup will be Jason Hunter and Brent Hunter as The Mailmen look to keep their win streak alive this Sunday against Boston Rd. Auto (1-1 at the time of this writing). It is uncertain whether or not The Mailmen will sign Weigel to a full contract or continue to use 10 day contracts in order to avoid a crowded roster. Reply to:
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

A New Era

The Mailmen started off the regular season on the winning side of the equation defeating Team Eric 69-39.

Brandon Hunter led all scorers with 22 points while Brent Hunter added 16 (9 rebounds) and new comer Mike Giardina added 10 (5 rebounds) in the 30 point victory.

"This is how you want the season to start," Coach Jason Hunter (6 points) said afterward. "To come out and get a win like this, with some new faces, it really gets you excited to play week in and week out."

The Mailmen will be shuffling their lineup again next week and will have a different starting 5 for the third straight game. Jason Hunter will be off on a honeymoon as he was married this past weekend and Brent Hunter is being sent back down to the developmental league. To replace those two, the team has again dug back into its past bank, adding guard Clinton Weigel with a 10-day contract. Weigel averaged 4.5 points last year while shooting 53% from the floor. He will be another slasher and strong defender that will take up most of the minutes lost by the two Hunter brothers.

The Mailmen will face Firehouse, who lost their first preseason game 79-38. The score from their first regular season game was not available before this entry. The Mailmen were supposed to play Firehouse last season, but then, as the Reignmakers, won by forfeit on two seperate occasions.

"Gotta keep the train on the tracks," quoted Kerry Hunter