Saturday, February 14, 2015

GrandMaMa's Double-Up State Farm 56-28; Mid-Season Review

The GranMaMa's improved to 9-1 on the season after dismantling State Farm this past Sunday 56-28.

Kevin Morgan recorded the teams second double-double of the season and Brandon Hunter led the team in scoring with 17 as the MaMa's shot 53% from two point range.

The offensive attack wasn't quite as potent this contest, but the defense is where the team shined. The MaMa's held State Farm to a mere nine points in the second half, allowing only three field goals. The team has only allowed 474 points this season, less than 50 points per game for the opposition (47.4). The GrandMaMa's in turn, have scored 692 points this season, nearing 70 a game (69.2).

Though the MaMa's easily handled State Farm, who has only won two games so far this season, the good guys could only manage 17% from three point range (3/18). Against a quality opponent, the attempts from long range will have to decrease, or the amount of shots connecting will have to increase if the MaMa's want to make an impact from that area of offense.

The good part about this night is that we are nit-picking when it comes to negatives to look for. The GranMaMa's continue to shoot very well from the free throw line, going 9 of 12 (75%). The MaMa's are also rebounding at an extremely high rate,. The 37.1 rebounds per game is currently the second highest total in organizational history. Only the season where the organization was labeled the Mailmen, did they have a higher rebounding total per game (38.6). Andy Kempf (10.3 rebounds per game), Matt Eberwein (7.9), and Kevin Morgan (6.7) lead the way in that department.

The GrandMaMa's will face off against Winking Lizard (2-8) tomorrow at 5:10pm.

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Mid-Season Review

Though we are bit past the halfway point of the season, we will take a look at how this season is going for some of the GranMaMa players, in regards to their career statistics.

Andy Kempf - Kempf has been coming into his own over the past few years. He has come a long way from the 2.9 point per game, 4.9 rebounds per game season with the Reignmakers. Though Kempf is only averaging 3.5 points per game this season, he is grabbing 10.3 rebounds per game, tying his second highest season total when he has played five games or more. Kempf also has one of the only two double-doubles for the GrandMaMa's this season.

Brandon Hunter - The middle Hunter brother is having a career shooting season. The 49% two point field goal percentage ties his second highest season total of five games or more. The only time Hunter shot better, was during the Human Highlight Reels fall season where he shot 63% in 8 games. His three point shooting percentage is so far, a career high at 39%. Not to be looked over is his free throw percentage as well. His 78% mark this season is his best ever.

Brent Hunter - Though the youngest Hunter brother has only appeared in five games this season (a career high) he has added a scoring a defensive punch for the MaMa's. Hunter's 80% free throw percentage is a career best when taking five or more free throws. His 51% two point field goal percentage ties his career total and the 6.4 rebounds per game was his second best season total for his career.

Chuck Caldwell - Caldwell has started to find a little bit of range this season, especially the past two games. His 31% three point shooting percentage is his best so far in a season, the only time he has topped 30% in his five seasons as a member of this organization. Not asked to score nearly as much this season, Caldwell has pushed the team defense to be one of the best in the organizations history.

Jason Hunter - The eldest of the Hunter brothers has found his range from deep this season. His 43% three point shooting percentage is the best in his career and is over 10% higher than his career average of 32%. Along with his middle brother, Jason has locked in from the free throw line, shooting 79% this season, also a best for his career. Though his scoring and rebounding totals are down, Hunter is a part of the three-headed defensive snake on top of the 2-3 zone this season with Caldwell and Cripple.

Justin Woo - A large presence under the basket, Woo has only appeared in four games this season. Looking past his numbers, which are down from years past, Justin has routinely taken it upon himself to guard the biggest player on the defensive end of the floor. Woo will look to play in his fifth game of the season tomorrow against Winking Lizard.

Kevin Morgan - Morgan is only in his second season as a member of the GrandMaMa's, but is adding that secondary scoring punch that the team desperately needs. His 15.6 points per game is second on the team and his 6.7 rebounds per game ranks him third on the team. Morgan looks to be a top contributor for years to come in the organization.

Matt Eberwein - Also in his second season as part of the GrandMaMa's organization, Eberwein has filled the void left by Kerry Hunter's retirement to player-coach. His 7.9 rebounds per game rank him second on the team and his 46% two point field goal percentage ranks him third on the team. Eberwein has now become a large part of the offense, breaking down the oppositions zone defensive schemes by finding cutters and wide open three point shooters. Eberwein has also begun to control the defensive side of the ball underneath, blocking nearly 10 shots this past Sunday.

Pat Cripple - Crip is only in his second season as part of the organization this year, but is doing his part on both ends of the floor. His 56% two point field goal percentage in best on the team and also leads the team in total field goal percentage at 54%. His 7.4 points per game ranks him fourth on the team of players whom have played more than five games. Crip, along with Caldwell at the top of the 2-3 zone this season, has helped to solidify a defense that ranks first in the league in points against this season.

Team - The GrandMaMa's are having themselves a season to remember on the offensive side of the ball this season. The 46% two point field goal percentage ranks third in organizational history, while their three point percentage (34% - 1st), and free throw percentage (65% - tie 3rd), also rank in the top three in organizational history. Going hand-in-hand with the shooting percentages, the 62.9 points per contest the team is scoring is their second best in the organizations history. The team is also grabbing 37.1 rebounds per game also their second highest total in organization history.





GrandMaMa's Win Sloppy Game Against Cereal Killers

Caldwell had his best game of the season, scoring
11 and shooting 50% from three point range.
A 20 point victory is never one to shrug at, but the GrandMaM'as were not sharp during their 61-41 victory against Cereal Killers this past Sunday.

For the second straight contest, the MaMa's shot below 40% from the field (39%). Their defense, and simply having more firepower, pushed them to victory on this night.

The MaMa's held the Cereal Killers to only 18 points in the second half as the opposition merely did not have the weapons to truly threaten the MaMa's on this night.

A bright spot on this night came from Chuck Caldwell. Caldwell scored 11 points on a night where the team needed some offensive help. He made good on three of six three pointers and added another field goal, along with grabbing five rebounds. The scoring output was a great sign as Caldwell had failed to score in his first two games back from the broken hell he suffered at the end of the fall season. Not only were his points welcome, Caldwell really helps to solidify the MaMa's 2-3 zone at the top of key. The Cereal Killers were only held to five three point field goals all night.

Two other MaMa's scored in double figures. Kevin Morgan led the team with 16 points while Brandon Hunter added 13. They combined to snatch 16 rebounds. Andy Kempf (1 point) was also once again effective on the glass, grabbing 9 rebounds of his own.

The GrandMaMa's have an off weekend, as the season is put on hold for today's SuperBowl game. The season will continue on the 8th as the MaMa's take on State Farm at 7PM EST. State Farm is 2-6 on the year, last place in the West Division.