Monday, November 24, 2014

New Season, New Hope

The Grand MaMa's have always had their focus on the winter.

Badly outmatched, out-gunned, and out-manned throughout the winter, the Grand MaMa's knew their abilities as a team would shine through during the winter months in the Brunswick Mens Rec Basketball League.

Though the shine was dull, the MaMa's won their preseason opener against State Farm by a score of 45-36.

The team struggled in most aspects on the offensive side of the ball, but stepped up on defense, never surrendering the lead all game.

Brandon Hunter and first-year scorer Kevin Morgan compiled 22 points for the team, but could only manage to shoot 26% from the field (8/31) and 50% from the free throw line (4/8).  As a team the Grand MaMa's could only manage a 47% mark (9/19).

A rare night for the Grand MaMa's as Jason Hunter led the team in scoring, doing most of his damage from beyond the arc going four of six from deep.  He scored 17 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the floor.  He added a free throw and two rebounds.

Playing in his first game in over a year, Justin Woo added two points and a rebound, but solidified himself underneath on both ends of the floor and did not back away from any physicality on either end.

The Grand MaMa's will likely have one more preseason game before the winter regular season begins.  Pat Cripple will also likely make his debut for the team, and reports are seldom seen Brent Hunter may also be available.  A look at what a full squad could do would be a great watch this coming Sunday or Monday evening.

The Grand MaMa's next scheduled game time was not available at the time of this post.


Saturday, November 22, 2014

As the Snow Begins, So Does a New Season

The Grand MaMa's are looking ahead.

Looking ahead toward tomorrow, to be exact.

After falling in the first round of the Fall league playoffs this past Monday, the Grand MaMa's already have their sights on a redeeming winter.

Though the team fell on hard times, going 1-9 during the regular season and playoffs this past season, a new hope and inspired outlook on the more competitively even-matched winter season is upon them.

They will have their first shot at their fresh slate tomorrow against State Farm at 5pm at the Brunswick Rec Center.

The Grand MaMa's have had some questions surrounding their roster over the past few months but have started to find some answers to those questions.

Kevin Morgan, who led the team in scoring this past season at 16.8 points per game, is going to make the commitment to the team this fall.  It is the first time in the organizations history that someone else has the led the team in scoring besides Brandon Hunter, who averaged 15.8 points per game this past season.

Two other additions this upcoming season include Justin Woo, who averaged six points and four rebounds during the team's Human Highlight Reel seasons, and Pat Cripple, who last played for the organization when they were named the Mailmen.  "Crip" averaged 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 18 games that season while shooting 42% from the floor.

Looking back at the fall session, there was not much take away from the 1-9 record, but if you looked hard enough, you could find some positives.

Career highlights were eclipsed this past fall, while others may likely fall during the winter season.

Brandon Hunter moved over 1000 3-point attempts in his career (1102), 2000 points (2058), and is the first player in the organizations history to play over 100 games (101).  He is also closing in on 1000 rebounds for his career with 754.

Jason Hunter will likely eclipse a few career totals this winter including 1000 total shots (985), 100 free throws (97), 1000 points (981), and 500 field goals attempted (461).  He passed the 500 total three point attempt mark this past fall, standing now at 504.

Andy Kempf surpassed 500 shots this past season (505) and is closing on career totals of 500 field goal attempts (465), 100 free throw attempts (89), 500 points (464), and 1000 rebounds (834).

Not to be outdone, sparingly used veteran big man Kerry Hunter is also chasing career marks of 500 field goal attempts (387) and 500 total rebounds (485).

The new season, although preseason, starts tomorrow.  Come along for the ride as the Grand MaMa's push towards a their first championship run this winter.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Record, and Bodies, Falling

The Grand MaMa's have fallen to 1-7 after their 50-66 loss to Panini's this past Monday.  To add insult to injury, guard Chuck Caldwell was hurt in the game prior, a 46-54 loss to We Get Buckets.

Caldwell's injury occurred during a fast break layup.  Caldwell was wrapped up from behind by an opposing player and came down awkwardly on his heel, which the team would later find to be fractured.  He will be out for the remainder of the fall season and will likely not be able to suit up again until January or February.

The Grand MaMa's have started searching for help for the upcoming winter season with the knowledge that Caldwell will be out for an extended period of time.

Player-coach Kerry Hunter has now seen action in two games, posting three points and two rebounds in limited minutes this past Monday.

The MaMa's have been unable to find any kind of rhythm this fall season, having their worst showing in their organizations history.  If there was anything positive to take away from this past Monday's game, it was that the team was easily outmatched athletically, but found ways to stay in the game until Panini's was forced to use their speed in a full court press, that created turnovers.  It was the first time that the Grand MaMa's have seen any kind of pressure of that nature all year, and it showed.

Though they beat the press on occasion, Panini's speed proved to be too much as the achilles heel of the good guys, turnovers, came to bite them again.  The press created a lot of rushed passes, bad full court passes, and poorly timed passes in general that helped Panini's keep the lead for good in the second half.

Kevin Morgan was the best player on the floor for the Grand MaMa's scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds.  He was 3 of 4 from three point range and 5 of 9 from two.

The team will face Coke Boys this coming Monday at 9:05.  The Grand MaMa's lost to Coke Boys earlier in the year 57-67.