Some of you may not know that the Reignmakers are not only a Brunswick Men's League basketball team, but have affiliates in the WRBA (Women's Rec Basketball Association), RDBL (Rec Developmental Basketball League), and even have players reaching out overseas.
We have kept you up to date on the Reignmakers season, 8-1 atop the division leader board, but there are other areas of which we have yet to cover. Mainly the RMaker Ladies and other players who have contracts under the Reignmakers organization.
We have briefly mentioned Brent Hunter, playing for the Reignmakers D-League affiliate, The Driving Drizzle.
The Drizzle have recently made it to the second round of the playoffs with Brent Hunter leading the way. Hunter finished second in the MVP voting, while averaging 23 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1 block per game. He is currently making his mark in the playoffs by scoring game high's of 33, 37, and 42 in consecutive playoff games. A playoff MVP is definitely in the bag as long as Hunter can carry his team to the D-League Championship next week in Austin, Texas.
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The RMaker Ladies, coached by former D-Leaguer Kyle Knapik, are in their first year of exsistance in the WRBA. Knapik, a former Drizzle player, averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in six seasons in the Developmental League and played five games with the big boys during his last of those six years. He retired early and was quickly involved in the team's management and high brass. He was never the greatest player on the floor, but was most certainly the brightest, which helped him to quickly rise the ranks in the Reignmaker organization.
Knapik petition the WRBA and the Reignmakers themselves to organize a women's team, one which he wanted to coach himself. Within two years and company approval, the Lady RMakers are already seeing success in their short tenure. The team currently sits at 4-7 after starting the year losing five straight games. Knapik's coaching style, much like Jason Hunter's style with the Reignmakers, involves and up-tempo attack on offense and defense.
"We will be the most conditioned...well we are the most conditioned team in the league I believe," Knapik said in a phone interview yesterday. "We have some great talent. Ladies who want to work, who want to run...and that's what we do."
The Lady RMakers are lead by a grouping of four ladies, who gather most of the minutes per night. The remainder of the team has consisted of women's D-Leaguers on most nights and has even had the team only dressing 4 players on one night.
The four-way tadem of Jenny Rohn, Ashley Bukach, Kathy Higgins, and Maegen Sands combines for about 60 points a night, on every given night. Here is a look at some season stats:
Jenny Rohn, G
12 ppg, 7.8 assist-g, 87% FT
Ashley Bukach F
16.3 ppg, 4.5 assist-g, 5.4 reb-g, 43% 3P
Kathy Higgins G/F
13.3 ppg, 4 assist-g, 4 reb-g, 50% FG%
Maegen Sands G/F
15.8 ppg, 3 assist-g, 1.8 steals-g, 44% 3P
The ladies work hard every night and have begun a season turnaround as the playoffs are not out of the question.
"We are young and hungry now after winning our last three...four out of five," Coach Knapik said, "With an organization such as the one we are in, it can only be better things to come."
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The final link in the Reignmakers organization come from across the sea, on the other side of the world, in the Middle East.
Michael Giardina is currently playing overseas in Afghanistan for the US Division 67 team in the World Classic Basketball Champions League.
Michael was signed to a new "diplomatic contract" three seasons ago ($3 million over four years), which actually does not affect the Reignmakers salary cap here in the States. As long as Giardina is playing overseas, he earns his contract tax-free along with being eligible to return to the team at any time.
Giardina is currently averaging 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals a game for Division 67 in his "sixth-man" role off the bench. He was awarded "Player of the Week" honors after he rolled off two 15 point games in a back-to-back, and recorded a triple-double (the first in the young Champions League) after grabbing 10 rebounds and having 10 steals.
Giardina will soon return home and may be quite an addition come summer if the Reignmakers choose to play consecutive seasons.
"I've played with Mike and what he brings in defensive intensity, on the glass, and all-around effort is second to none," Coach Hunter said. "We would definitely welcome him with open arms if the team had him back. Any time you get another stopper like him...it's a good thing."
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In Reignmakers news, the team plays this Monday night, 8:50 start time, against the 1-6 Firehouse. The team may be without Jason Hunter as he attends to a family issue, but they hope to have him suited up throughout the night.
Brandon Hunter also surpased the 200 point total after last weeks 25 points, as he currently stands at 207 points. He is also only 22 rebounds away from 100.
Kerry Hunter, 87 points - 69 rebounds, and Jason Hunter, 99 points, are next in line to reach statistical milestones.
The team has totaled 536 points (59.6/game) and 293 rebounds (32.6/game) this year.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Another Week Off
The Reignmakers have another week off after another win last week versus Sidelines.
The game once again took a turn in the second half where the good guys seem to make the opposition pay with the up-tempo style that they run.
"It seems to be where we play our best basketball," Coach Jason Hunter said afterwards. "We wear our opponents down in the first half. The game is usually close, but we can pull away by continuing to run and gun and step up our defensive intensity on the other end."
A couple of solid games from leading scorer Brandon Hunter (25 points, season high 15 rebounds) and veteran big man Kerry Hunter (17 points, 7 rebounds), who may of had his best game of the year. Kerry hit all five of his free throws and missed on only one attempt from the inside three point range, going five of six.
The Reignmakers shot a season high in free throws, 14, and also made a season high, 10. It was something that helped the offense down the stretch as the team only shot 23% (5/22) from three point range.
Everyone added their own mark to the game. Jason Hunter (9 points, 3 rebounds) came off the bench for the second week in a row and hit two straight three pointers. Andy Kempf (1 rebound) battled inside against the once again taller opposition and had a huge momentum swinging tip to Kerry for a bucket. Mike Petrilli (4 rebounds) grabbed a key late rebound inside while being the smallest man on the floor. Clinton Weigel (2 points, 2 rebounds) got to the basket with a late second half bucket to move the lead to double digits. And Chad Dobson (2 points) finally got off the schnide offensively and hit a bank shot from the corner.
The game, as stated earlier, followed the Reignmakers season to a tee. A close first half, followed by outscoring the opponent the rest of the way. The team has off this week due to the holiday but will be back next week on Monday when they face off against Firehouse who was 1-6 as of this writing.
The game once again took a turn in the second half where the good guys seem to make the opposition pay with the up-tempo style that they run.
"It seems to be where we play our best basketball," Coach Jason Hunter said afterwards. "We wear our opponents down in the first half. The game is usually close, but we can pull away by continuing to run and gun and step up our defensive intensity on the other end."
A couple of solid games from leading scorer Brandon Hunter (25 points, season high 15 rebounds) and veteran big man Kerry Hunter (17 points, 7 rebounds), who may of had his best game of the year. Kerry hit all five of his free throws and missed on only one attempt from the inside three point range, going five of six.
The Reignmakers shot a season high in free throws, 14, and also made a season high, 10. It was something that helped the offense down the stretch as the team only shot 23% (5/22) from three point range.
Everyone added their own mark to the game. Jason Hunter (9 points, 3 rebounds) came off the bench for the second week in a row and hit two straight three pointers. Andy Kempf (1 rebound) battled inside against the once again taller opposition and had a huge momentum swinging tip to Kerry for a bucket. Mike Petrilli (4 rebounds) grabbed a key late rebound inside while being the smallest man on the floor. Clinton Weigel (2 points, 2 rebounds) got to the basket with a late second half bucket to move the lead to double digits. And Chad Dobson (2 points) finally got off the schnide offensively and hit a bank shot from the corner.
The game, as stated earlier, followed the Reignmakers season to a tee. A close first half, followed by outscoring the opponent the rest of the way. The team has off this week due to the holiday but will be back next week on Monday when they face off against Firehouse who was 1-6 as of this writing.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Half-Way Point
Here's a look at some statistics from the Reignmaker season so far. We are at the halfway point and the team is riding high on a 5-1 record...
Team Stats (8 games total)
60.1 points per game
32.6 rebounds/game
115/266 field goals (43%)
67/118 3-point field goals (35%)
50/80 free throws (63%)
182/455 total field goals (40%)
Individual Highlights
Jason Hunter
11.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
16/37 fg (43%)
18/49 3p (37%)
Brandon Hunter
22.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg
29/77 fg (38%)
33/84 3p (39%)
25/33 ft (76%)
8 points away from 200 total
Brent Hunter (3 games)
17.3 ppg, 6 rpg
20/30 fg (67%)
Kerry Hunter
8.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg
25/46 fg (54%)
15/22 ft (68%)
Chad Dobson (5 games)
1.2 rpg
Andy Kempf (6 games)
2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
2/2 3p (100%)
Mike Petrilli (7 games)
3.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Clinton Weigel
5.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg
15/24 fg (63%)
3/4 3p (75%)
Ryan Stuver (6 games)
1.3 ppg, 3 rpg
Team Stats (8 games total)
60.1 points per game
32.6 rebounds/game
115/266 field goals (43%)
67/118 3-point field goals (35%)
50/80 free throws (63%)
182/455 total field goals (40%)
Individual Highlights
Jason Hunter
11.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg
16/37 fg (43%)
18/49 3p (37%)
Brandon Hunter
22.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg
29/77 fg (38%)
33/84 3p (39%)
25/33 ft (76%)
8 points away from 200 total
Brent Hunter (3 games)
17.3 ppg, 6 rpg
20/30 fg (67%)
Kerry Hunter
8.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg
25/46 fg (54%)
15/22 ft (68%)
Chad Dobson (5 games)
1.2 rpg
Andy Kempf (6 games)
2 ppg, 3.2 rpg
2/2 3p (100%)
Mike Petrilli (7 games)
3.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Clinton Weigel
5.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg
15/24 fg (63%)
3/4 3p (75%)
Ryan Stuver (6 games)
1.3 ppg, 3 rpg
Winded and Winning
The only problem the two week layoff had on the Reignmakers was in their cardiovascular fitness.
It affected the Dream Team more however as the good guys rolled to a 74-51 victory, in a game that blew up in the second half.
With a different look in the starting lineup and having captain Jason Hunter come off the bench for more of a scoring punch, the Reignmakers battled with the Dream Team 34-31 at the half.
Play was dictated by a more physical presence and getting to the basket. For the first time this year, the Reignmakers Kerry Hunter was the tallest man on the floor.
"It was a confidence booster right off the bat," Coach Jason Hunter said after the game, "Starting off the game knowing you have the biggest man out there, it makes it easier defensively. A couple of us got a little lazy on the defensive end, the layoff hurt us in the lung capacity department tonight, but we kept getting to the hoop. It was good to see Brent have a huge game after his underwhelming last game. We needed that punch from him tonight."
Brent Hunter was huge. He was more aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and it showed in his shooting percentage. He was 12 of 16 from the floor total and only three of his shots (one made) came from the outside. He added two free throws to boot. Getting his second call-up in two games he finished with 27 points leading the Reignmakers on that end.
Jason and his other brother Brandon combined for 28 points (14 a piece) and Jason made all three of his attempts from deep. It looked smooth everytime he seemed to release the ball.
"I felt it. It felt good. It's a great feeling to know when you release the ball it has a great chance of going in. When everyone else is hitting shots, it makes it easier for them to come to you," Hunter said after the game.
The Reignmakers were hitting their shots. The team combined for a 55% shooting night from the field and 47% from deep. Ryan Stuver bested his season scoring margin with four points on 100% shooting, Kerry Hunter (9 rebounds) went 4 for 8 on the night, and Mike Petrilli got into the key offensively which led to open looks from the outside..
Some winded defensive efforts led to some movement in the middle of the 2-3 zone, but the Reignmakers collapsed and forced tough shots and contested threes for all of the second half, which is where they usually put teams away. Clintion Weigel and Andy Kempf provided more hustle on defense and strength in the zone, which allowed the big men underneath to grab defensive rebound after rebound.
It was a great rebound win for the Reignmakers after the loss to Fighting Fancus two weeks earlier. With the team coming into the season looking to survive around .500 ball, the way the team has jelled as a unit is a promising site going into the second half of the season.
"It's the best shooting team I've been a part of," Coach Hunter said during the local radio interview. "As crazy as that sounds to me...I mean there is no way you could have told me at the beginning of the year that this group would be the best offensive team I have ever been on. It's incredible, it has to continue."
If there was a negative going forward it's that Brent Hunter may of played his last game for the Reignmakers. He was sent back to the developmental league yesterday and is looking to continue his dominance down there. The team has already used its three-time call-up rule on Brent and it is highly unlikely he will get another chance. The only way he would be allowed back is if an injury became of one roster member on the full-time Reignmakers squad.
"It looks good for the future," big man Kerry Hunter was quoted, "I am not sure how much longer I have here and Brent will bring some more length to this team when I'm gone. It's good to see him play well tonight."
The Reignmakers will get back on the Monday schedule next week when they face the Sidelines team, which was 1-3 as of this writing.
It affected the Dream Team more however as the good guys rolled to a 74-51 victory, in a game that blew up in the second half.
With a different look in the starting lineup and having captain Jason Hunter come off the bench for more of a scoring punch, the Reignmakers battled with the Dream Team 34-31 at the half.
Play was dictated by a more physical presence and getting to the basket. For the first time this year, the Reignmakers Kerry Hunter was the tallest man on the floor.
"It was a confidence booster right off the bat," Coach Jason Hunter said after the game, "Starting off the game knowing you have the biggest man out there, it makes it easier defensively. A couple of us got a little lazy on the defensive end, the layoff hurt us in the lung capacity department tonight, but we kept getting to the hoop. It was good to see Brent have a huge game after his underwhelming last game. We needed that punch from him tonight."
Brent Hunter was huge. He was more aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and it showed in his shooting percentage. He was 12 of 16 from the floor total and only three of his shots (one made) came from the outside. He added two free throws to boot. Getting his second call-up in two games he finished with 27 points leading the Reignmakers on that end.
Jason and his other brother Brandon combined for 28 points (14 a piece) and Jason made all three of his attempts from deep. It looked smooth everytime he seemed to release the ball.
"I felt it. It felt good. It's a great feeling to know when you release the ball it has a great chance of going in. When everyone else is hitting shots, it makes it easier for them to come to you," Hunter said after the game.
The Reignmakers were hitting their shots. The team combined for a 55% shooting night from the field and 47% from deep. Ryan Stuver bested his season scoring margin with four points on 100% shooting, Kerry Hunter (9 rebounds) went 4 for 8 on the night, and Mike Petrilli got into the key offensively which led to open looks from the outside..
Some winded defensive efforts led to some movement in the middle of the 2-3 zone, but the Reignmakers collapsed and forced tough shots and contested threes for all of the second half, which is where they usually put teams away. Clintion Weigel and Andy Kempf provided more hustle on defense and strength in the zone, which allowed the big men underneath to grab defensive rebound after rebound.
It was a great rebound win for the Reignmakers after the loss to Fighting Fancus two weeks earlier. With the team coming into the season looking to survive around .500 ball, the way the team has jelled as a unit is a promising site going into the second half of the season.
"It's the best shooting team I've been a part of," Coach Hunter said during the local radio interview. "As crazy as that sounds to me...I mean there is no way you could have told me at the beginning of the year that this group would be the best offensive team I have ever been on. It's incredible, it has to continue."
If there was a negative going forward it's that Brent Hunter may of played his last game for the Reignmakers. He was sent back to the developmental league yesterday and is looking to continue his dominance down there. The team has already used its three-time call-up rule on Brent and it is highly unlikely he will get another chance. The only way he would be allowed back is if an injury became of one roster member on the full-time Reignmakers squad.
"It looks good for the future," big man Kerry Hunter was quoted, "I am not sure how much longer I have here and Brent will bring some more length to this team when I'm gone. It's good to see him play well tonight."
The Reignmakers will get back on the Monday schedule next week when they face the Sidelines team, which was 1-3 as of this writing.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A Loss on the Glass, A Mark in the Loss Column
Fighting Fancus did what they had been doing all year.
The Reignmakers could only muster 52 points against the taller, bigger Fancus and only had 27 rebounds as they fell for the first time 58-52.
The team struggled offensively, shooting only 25% from three and were out rebounded by a wide margin on both ends of the floor, but the offensive end was where the team suffered the most. The Reignmakers rarely got a second shot and it was mostly one-and-done on the offensive end.
They got out to a hot start. After being up 7-0, then 13-6 early in the first, the outcome looked bright. The Reignmakers let up a little and only held a one point lead, 30-29, after the first.
Both Jason Hunter and Chad Dobson arrived late, along with big man Ryan Stuver, due to weather. Neither got to start. Mike Petrilli (2 points, season high 5 rebounds) and Clinton Weigel (2 points, 4 rebounds) got the go ahead in their place.
But without an ability to get into the middle of Fancus's zone defense, the Reignmakers struggled on the offensive end late in the game. Only shooting 25% from three and not getting any easy shots inside doomed the Reignmakers. The lack of rebounds also hurt late in the game.
Brent Hunter got the nod from the Developmental League but just couldn't provide the offensive punch that he had last time he got time. He scored 6 points and could not get anything going from three (0-6).
Leading man Brandon Hunter had 23 points, but could not find a rhythm from deep. He only managed two field goals inside and was bothered most of the night.
With Brent Hunter being sent back to the DRBL this weekend, the Reignmakers will most likely fall back into their regular starting lineup of the three Hunters, Petrilli, and Weigel. Dobson may still get a nod as his starting night was not to be.
The Reignmakers will have a two weeks to get it right as they are off next week. It will be the toughest back to back of the short season as they facethe Dream Team who were 3-1 as of this writing.
The Reignmakers could only muster 52 points against the taller, bigger Fancus and only had 27 rebounds as they fell for the first time 58-52.
The team struggled offensively, shooting only 25% from three and were out rebounded by a wide margin on both ends of the floor, but the offensive end was where the team suffered the most. The Reignmakers rarely got a second shot and it was mostly one-and-done on the offensive end.
They got out to a hot start. After being up 7-0, then 13-6 early in the first, the outcome looked bright. The Reignmakers let up a little and only held a one point lead, 30-29, after the first.
Both Jason Hunter and Chad Dobson arrived late, along with big man Ryan Stuver, due to weather. Neither got to start. Mike Petrilli (2 points, season high 5 rebounds) and Clinton Weigel (2 points, 4 rebounds) got the go ahead in their place.
But without an ability to get into the middle of Fancus's zone defense, the Reignmakers struggled on the offensive end late in the game. Only shooting 25% from three and not getting any easy shots inside doomed the Reignmakers. The lack of rebounds also hurt late in the game.
Brent Hunter got the nod from the Developmental League but just couldn't provide the offensive punch that he had last time he got time. He scored 6 points and could not get anything going from three (0-6).
Leading man Brandon Hunter had 23 points, but could not find a rhythm from deep. He only managed two field goals inside and was bothered most of the night.
With Brent Hunter being sent back to the DRBL this weekend, the Reignmakers will most likely fall back into their regular starting lineup of the three Hunters, Petrilli, and Weigel. Dobson may still get a nod as his starting night was not to be.
The Reignmakers will have a two weeks to get it right as they are off next week. It will be the toughest back to back of the short season as they facethe Dream Team who were 3-1 as of this writing.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tonight's Game Preview
The Reignmakers will be looking at a new starting lineup tonight versus Fighting Fancus.
Coach Jason Hunter has told us that the lineup will look as follows:
C- Kerry Hunter
PF - Brandon Hunter
SF - Jason Hunter
SG - Brent Hunter
PG - Chad Dobson
"Brent is back up due to a couple week span of no games in the developmental league coming up, so we want to give him some time up here. Chad has been out for two weeks, so we want him to get some minutes as well. We will be full up tonight roster wise." Coach Hunter told the media today.
Ryan Stuver will be back from his one game hiatus with a sore knee. So the Reignmakers will have all 9 roster members dressed tonight for the game against the Fighting Fancus (2-1). This is a new team from the preseason as Fancus has added some new members.
The Reignmakers still lead the league with 266 points overall. Fancus, 167 points (3 games played), has one of the better defenses in the league with only allowing 145 points total.
Coach Jason Hunter has told us that the lineup will look as follows:
C- Kerry Hunter
PF - Brandon Hunter
SF - Jason Hunter
SG - Brent Hunter
PG - Chad Dobson
"Brent is back up due to a couple week span of no games in the developmental league coming up, so we want to give him some time up here. Chad has been out for two weeks, so we want him to get some minutes as well. We will be full up tonight roster wise." Coach Hunter told the media today.
Ryan Stuver will be back from his one game hiatus with a sore knee. So the Reignmakers will have all 9 roster members dressed tonight for the game against the Fighting Fancus (2-1). This is a new team from the preseason as Fancus has added some new members.
The Reignmakers still lead the league with 266 points overall. Fancus, 167 points (3 games played), has one of the better defenses in the league with only allowing 145 points total.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A "Flu Game"; A New Season Best; Another Win
Michael Jordan had his "flu game". Jason Hunter decided to make this one his.
After battling the flu for the past week, Hunter stepped up big in the Reignmakers 80-60 victory Sunday night at the Rec Center in Brunswick.
Hunter had his best scoring performance with 20 points, hitting 4 of 6 three point shots and grabbing six rebounds.
Not to be outdone, his brother Brandon pulled down six rebounds of his own and topped it with a season best 38 points, shooting 6 of 12 from three, and 9 of 15 from everywhere else.
Combine those two great outings with the overall game the Reignmakers had and it was a recipe for a victory. The team shot 52% from three point range and just a touch better, 53%, from inside the arc. The team really stepped it up in a physical game in the second half by running and playing improved defense down the stretch. The Reignmakers outscored the Kings 46-31 in the second half after leading by only two in the first.
Sitting a top Division II is a great feat for a team slated to finish .500 by most polls and experts coming into the year. The Reignmakers were meshed together following the two Hunter pickups and most did not believe the team would gel like it has and perform as it has. The season is still in infancy, but feeling confident at 4-0 to start the year has a great feeling and sends great vibes every night.
The Reignmakers play this coming Monday against the Fighting Fancus. The previously beat Fancus in their preseason matchup 52-40.
After battling the flu for the past week, Hunter stepped up big in the Reignmakers 80-60 victory Sunday night at the Rec Center in Brunswick.
Hunter had his best scoring performance with 20 points, hitting 4 of 6 three point shots and grabbing six rebounds.
Not to be outdone, his brother Brandon pulled down six rebounds of his own and topped it with a season best 38 points, shooting 6 of 12 from three, and 9 of 15 from everywhere else.
Combine those two great outings with the overall game the Reignmakers had and it was a recipe for a victory. The team shot 52% from three point range and just a touch better, 53%, from inside the arc. The team really stepped it up in a physical game in the second half by running and playing improved defense down the stretch. The Reignmakers outscored the Kings 46-31 in the second half after leading by only two in the first.
Sitting a top Division II is a great feat for a team slated to finish .500 by most polls and experts coming into the year. The Reignmakers were meshed together following the two Hunter pickups and most did not believe the team would gel like it has and perform as it has. The season is still in infancy, but feeling confident at 4-0 to start the year has a great feeling and sends great vibes every night.
The Reignmakers play this coming Monday against the Fighting Fancus. The previously beat Fancus in their preseason matchup 52-40.
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