Sunday, January 25, 2015

Winning Streak Ends at 8

After a 75-51 drubbing of Soda Slingers on January 11th, the GrandMaMa's found themselves putting their 8 games winning streak on the line against a formidable foe, and rival, Powerstrokes.

The Powerstrokes won the battle 68-61, effectively ending the GGM's winning streak at 8.

Brandon Hunter led the way against Soda Slingers,
scoring 28 points and shooting 5 of 9 from deep. 
It was a tale of two games on the offensive side of the ball these past two weeks. The GrandMaMa's shot 41% from the floor and 44% from three against the Soda Slingers, adding 75% free throw shooting. Against the Powerstrokes however, a much better defensive team, the good guys could only manage to shoot 36% overall from the floor (32% from three/38% from two).

The passive style of play from Soda Slingers worked right into what the MaMa's do well, run and attack on offense. Andy Kempf (22 rebounds) and Matt Eberwein (16 rebounds) had double-digit rebounding nights. While Brandon Hunter, who led the team with 28 points, almost had the same with 9 rebounds of his own. Kempf recorded the first double-double of the season for the GrandMaMa's, scoring 14 points as well.

It was a great sign for the defense as well, holding the Soda Slingers to 51 points. They scored 100 the previous week. As one-sided as the outcome was, the game was never even that close. The Slingers started to get hot from deep, making 10 three pointers in the second half. That output alone would have topped their first half scoring total by 17 points. The score was 47-13 MaMa's after the first half.

The Powerstrokes however, brought a more dynamic 2-3, using their length, size, and athleticism to bother the GrandMaMa's near the half court line all night long. Inopportune turnovers and a poor shooting night took the wheels off of the machine that was the GrandMaMa's team basketball style.

Brandon Hunter and Kevin Morgan scored 16 and 19 points respectively, but combined to shoot 13 of  34 from the field (38%). Matt Eberwein (8 points), Pat Cripple (8) and Jason Hunter (6) rounded out the scoring on a night where the team shot its lowest percentage from the floor for the season.

The team was without energetic big-man Andy Kempf on this night however. A night where they could have used more intensity and hustle on both ends of the floor, especially on the glass. Kempf is leading the team in rebounds, grabbing 11 per game.

The good news is that the GrandMaMa's will get to face Powerstrokes one more time before the playoffs begin, as they match up again on March 1st.

The GrandMaMa's look to begin a new winning streak tonight as they face off against Cereal Killers, who only had 1 win as of January 10th.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

GrandMaMa's Only Team That Remains Undefeated; Milestones Reached

After this past weekend's games, the GrandMaMa's remain as the only team without a loss in the Brunswick Mens Rec Basketball League.

Their 64-47 defeat of We Get Buckets pushed the MaMa's record out to 6-0, moving them a game ahead of West Division leaders Powerstrokes and Goon Squad.

Pat Cripple and Matt Eberwein prepare for
We Get Buckets this past Sunday
The GrandMaMa's also led the league in team defense, only allowing a total of 217 points, 46 points fewer than the next team (We Get Buckets, 263).   They are also in the top five of the league scoring the basketball, totaling 329 points, trailing Soda Slingers (331) by two points and Powerstrokes (400) by 71.  The MaMa's will have a chance to move past the Slingers tomorrow as they face off at 5:10.

Back to this past weekend...

The good guys dressed a nearly-full squad this past Sunday, having 8 men available to play.  Chuck Caldwell (one rebound) made his return from the broke heel he suffered a few months ago.  Caldwell will add another layer to a defense that seems to be firing on all cylinders.

The GrandMaMa's won this game with another stout defensive effort and also by getting to the basket on the other end of the floor.  The MaMa's shot 55% from two point range on this day and only took 13 total three pointers, making just 4 (31%).

Scoring was spread out throughout the team as Brent Hunter (19), Kevin Morgan (12) and Brandon Hunter (10) all scored in the double figures.  Jason Hunter and Pat Cripple both added 8 points while Andky Kempf (3) and Matt Eberwein (4) rounded out the day on the offensive side.

Justin Woo was not available for the contest, but should be dressed for tonight's game against Soda Slingers.

Speaking of the Slingers, they took down West Division leading Powerstrokes 100-87 this past weekend, putting up their best showing of the season.  The GrandMaMa's will have to fully utilize their 2-3 zone scheme in order to tame the Slingers offensive prowess.  The MaMa's should again dress 8 as Brent Hunter is being sent back to the developmental league after his five game stint with the team.  Hunter had averages of 15.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.

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Milestone Season

Awhile back, we discussed a few individuals who were on their way to some career milestones and others who were closing in.

Here is a look at some milestones that were recently breached and others that soon will be:

Jason Hunter

  • 1000 total shots - surpassed (1,022)
  • 1000 total points - surpassed (1,031)
  • 100 games played - surpassed (102)
  • 500 field goals - 480
Brandon Hunter
  • 2000 total shot - surpassed (2,031)
  • 1000 field goals attempted - 883
  • 500 free throws attempted - 427
  • 1000 rebounds - 782
Kerry Hunter
  • 500 field goals attempted - 470
  • 500 total rebounds - 485
Andy Kempf
  • 500 total points - 474
  • 1000 total rebounds - 878
  • 500 field goals - 480
  • 100 games played - 98

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Winning Ways Continue Through the Holidays

After a quick schedule change, the GrandMaMa's faced off again Good Fellas (3-2) this past Sunday. It proved to be the toughest match-up of the season for the MaMa's as they slid past their opposition 60-56.

The previous week against Money Team, the GrandMaMa's kept their winning ways going with a 61-45 victory.

Brandon Hunter led all scorers that night with 23 points on 8 of 19 shooting from the field.  He added three rebounds and three free throws.  Without second leading scorer Kevin Morgan in the lineup, the team utilized Brent Hunter to his fullest potential.  The youngest Hunter brother has been available for the past month and provided a scoring punch.  He totaled 15 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

Pat Cripple and Justin Woo were also unavailable for the game against Money Team.  The GrandMaMa's used a call-up option and dressed Will Cleveland, previously from the Texas league.  Cleveland had four rebounds and six points, going three of seven from the floor.  Jason Hunter (nine points, two rebounds), Matt Eberwein (three points, six rebounds) and Andy Kempf (2 points, 11 rebounds) rounded out the team effort for the night.

Back to this past weekend...

Free throws have never been a big part of the GrandMaMa's success over the years.  As an organization they are only shooting 62% and only shot 65% this past Sunday.  But down the stretch, free throws by Jason Hunter, Brandon Hunter, and Pat Cripple sealed the deal against Good Fellas.

The three previously named individuals combined on six straight free throws inside of two minutes to close out the game.  The oldest Hunter brother scored five points on the night, making all five of his free throw attempts.

The scoring elsewhere was fairly spread out.  Kevin Morgan and Cripple returning from their one game absence
s scored 17 and 12 points respectively.  Brandon Hunter added 15 points and 7 rebounds of his own.

Though only combining to shoot 9% from the three point line (1/11), the GrandMaMa's found ways to win by taking the ball to the basket and utilizing their size advantage over Good Fellas.  Matt Eberwein (2 points, 10 rebounds) took a team high seven free throws, while Morgan (5) and Jason Hunter (5) also found points at the charity stripe.  The team took 26 free throws overall, 10 more than any other game this season.  The team also continues to shoot very well from inside the arc, shooting 48% (20/42) on the night.  The team total on the season from that range is 47%, which will be their highest winter season total if they can maintain the same pace through the entirety of the year.

The team hopes to start the new year with another win as they face We Get Buckets this coming Sunday at 5:10pm.