Highlight Reels Win One, Lose One as Playoffs Near

There was some good and some bad over the past two weeks when it came to Reels basketball.

Lets talk bad news.

The past two games, the Highlight Reels were only able to dress 5 individuals each game.

Against the Winking Lizard, Kyle Komer and Kerry Hunter were out; against Soda Slingers, Komer and Justin Woo were out.  The limited, or nonexistent, subs left the Reels battling themselves on both nights on both ends of the floor.

The lack of subs in the Winking Lizard contest showed especially, where the Reels only managed to score 44 points and shot 26% from everywhere on the floor.  Turnovers, lack of defensive movement, and lack of ball movement told the tale, along with the poor shooting performance from the floor.  Though holding Winking Lizard to 49 points, the good guys could not muster enough energy to push themselves over the road bumps in that contest.

Brandon Hunter had an off night, shooting 4-14 from the floor, averaging the team at 26%.  He did make it to the free throw line seven times, making five.  Justin Woo took 10 shots on night; five three pointers, three two pointers, and two free throws, yet could only connect on one of his shots (from three) for the game.  Chuck Caldwell was 2-10 from three and missed both of his two point attempts. Jason Hunter started to turn his three point shooting around with a 50% night (3-6), but missed all three of his two point attempts.  Andy Kempf had the best percentages and easily the best game of the night scoring 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting and grabbing 17 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season.

The team fell back to .500, though for only one week.

The game against Soda Slingers seemed night and day from a week ago.

The Highlight Reels shot 43% from three point land, 41% from everywhere else, and made 75% of their free throws for a 77-61 routing.

Brandon Hunter had a big turnaround game scoring 26 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.  He was just a tad under 50% from three point range going 6 of 13, making three of six from two, and hitting on both of his free throws.

Jason Hunter continued his short, hot, shooting streak from deep going four of five.  He also made three of his give two point attempts to total 18 points.

The remaining three Highlight Reels scored in double figures as well.

Andy Kempf had another big game on the glass, gobbling up everything in sight for 19 rebounds.  He added another three pointer amongst his 11 points.  Chuck Caldwell added two three pointers of his own in way to 12 points and Kerry Hunter returning from an ailing back grabbed 14 rebounds and scored 10.

The 44 total team rebounds is one of their best showings on the glass in recent weeks and slightly above their yearly team average.  The ball movement was crisp and with purpose most of the game, leading to many open looks not only from three but in fast break layups and cuts under the basket.

With only one game left before the double elimination playoffs in March, the Human Highlight Reels hope to continue their momentum heading into the post season.  The team will hope to dress more than five in the near future when they battle Yuengling this coming Monday at 6:30.