The Human Highlight Reels were in a state of confusion before their game began two Sundays ago.
Walking onto the big stage of the playoffs, the Highlight Reels were set to face Great 8; yet Great 8 was unavailable to play that night.
The Highlight Reels opening act was then switched to read "versus Paninis - Black".
The Highlight Reels faced this opponent before, winning by more than 10 points earlier in the season. This contest was much closer than that.
The Reels struggled from the floor most of the evening, shooting only 31% from the field all night long (21% from three), and could only manage a tie with their new first round opponent headed into half time.
Paninis did hit a half-court buzzer beater to close out the half, but it was waved off due to the quick thinking of forward Andy Kempf, who took a charge as the shot went up. The referee's deliberated for a minute or so until they decided to wave off the basket.
Thankfully for the Highlight Reels, Kempf had his wits about him at an opportune time.
With the three point lead erased for Paninis, the Highlight Reels locked down a little more on the defensive end and battled harder on the glass, which helped push them to a 53-49 first round victory.
Kempf also led the team on the glass, grabbing 14 rebounds. He has tallied double digit rebounds in six straight contests.
With team leading scorer Brandon Hunter struggling from the field (10 points, 7 rebounds), Jason Hunter stepped up where scoring was needed.
The oldest Hunter brother went 4 of 8 from three and scored 18 points along the way to lead the team. The scoring output from both Hunter brothers will be relied upon in the playoffs if they want to make a deep run.
Justin Woo (4 rebounds) and Chuck Caldwell added 8 points a piece and veteran Kerry Hunter clogged up the middle on the defensive end on his way to 4 points and 3 rebounds.
The Human Highlight Reels will face NBN for their second round game this coming Sunday at 9pm. The Highlight Reels defeated NBN earlier in the year by nine points. Brandon Hunter led the team in both points (21) and rebound (6) in that contest.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Regular Season Review - Playoffs Await
The Human Highlight Reels finished off their regular season with a 71-60 win over Team Yuengling. The final outcome was not nearly as close, though the score not being THAT close, as the number indicate.
Brandon Hunter lead all scorers with 29 points and shot 58% from the floor. Andy Kempf, Justin Woo, and Kerry Hunter grabbed 12, 7 and 6 rebounds respectively as the Highlight Reels dominated on the offensive and defensive glass. Jason Hunter and Kyle Komer who put in 14 points collectively on the offensive side of the ball, pressured Team Yeungling most of the night up front that led to a handful of fast break steals and easy layups on the other end.
As a group, the team shot 40% from three point range (8/20) and 45% from the field elsewhere (21/47). The combined group effort on both ends has started to see the team push towards the playoffs with some momentum.
The Highlight Reels has won two in a row, including four of their last five games. During their current winning streak the team is scoring at a much higher rate - 74 points per game - than during any part of the season this year. That is nearly 13 points above their year average of 61.9 points per game. The Highlight Reels are also starting to find some consistency from three point range shooting 42% from deep over their past two games, also 13 percentage points over their team average this year of 31%.
A big reason for the increased team scoring output comes with a couple of hot shooters headed into the post season.
Brandon Hunter is on one of those streaks, shooting 44% (11/25) from three over the past two games and has also made 69% of his two point shots, going 9 of 13 from the floor. Hunter has pushed his three point percentage over 30%, climbing steadily to 32% over the past few weeks. It is somewhere he and his older brother Jason have struggled this winter season.
Speaking of Jason, he has also started to find a little bit of a touch from long range. His three point percentage has also climbed steadily from the basement. Just about a month ago, the oldest Hunter brother was shooting a mere 25% from three. Over the past 5 games, Jason is shooting 56% from deep, going 9 of 16, and tied a season high in points with 18 two Sundays ago. Hunter's three point percentage has jumped to 33% on the year which is just a tad above his career total of 32%.
Andy Kempf, who is having his best rebounding output on his career, has grabbed over 10 rebounds five games in a row, topping 15 rebounds twice. He is averaging nearly 12 rebounds a game, easily his best mark, and is also finding some sort of touch from beyond the arc as well. Never a strong point during his tenure in the Highlight Reels organization, Kempf has taken 14 three pointers on the year, making five of them for a career high of 36%. He has only taken 18 three point shots over his career before this season, connecting on only three (17%).
Not to be outdone by his younger counterpart, Kerry Hunter grabbed a season high 14 rebounds two Sundays ago and his having a quality year after thinking of retirement over the past year or so. Back problems have limited the big man to only 13 games this season but his totals are only slightly down in each category from a few years ago. The eldest Hunter is averaging 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Those totals are only mere half-point totals less than during his extended time on the Price is Right where he averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. His career totals are 8 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Guard Kyle Komer has been limited to only 10 games this season with the Highlight Reels but has again proven to be a valuable leader on both sides of the floor. His percentages are down from just this past fall, but his totals are slightly above that same season. Komer is shooting 44% from two point range and 35% from three, yet has pushed his scoring totals up to 8.5 per game (8.3 in the fall) and 3.5 rebounds per game (3.3 in the fall) this season. He is also shooting a team high 80% from the free throw line. Komer's career totals include 12.1 points per game shooting 44% from the field.
New comers Justin Woo and Chuck Caldwell has also added some more depth on the glass and guard play this season as well. Though limited to 10 and 9 games respectively this season, Woo has made his presence felt underneath and is coming off an 8 point, 6 rebound night this past Sunday. He is averaging 6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Caldwell, who had one of his better scoring total games just two weeks ago with 12 points, has solidified the top of the 2-3 zone along with Komer and Jason Hunter. He is averaging just a touch over 8 points per game to go along with two rebounds per game.
The Human Highlight Reels will attempt their fourth playoff run tonight at 6pm in the Brunswick Rec Center. Finishing third of fourteen team in the conference, the Highlight Reels will face 14th ranked Great 8, who only had one win during the regular season.
Brandon Hunter lead all scorers with 29 points and shot 58% from the floor. Andy Kempf, Justin Woo, and Kerry Hunter grabbed 12, 7 and 6 rebounds respectively as the Highlight Reels dominated on the offensive and defensive glass. Jason Hunter and Kyle Komer who put in 14 points collectively on the offensive side of the ball, pressured Team Yeungling most of the night up front that led to a handful of fast break steals and easy layups on the other end.
As a group, the team shot 40% from three point range (8/20) and 45% from the field elsewhere (21/47). The combined group effort on both ends has started to see the team push towards the playoffs with some momentum.
The Highlight Reels has won two in a row, including four of their last five games. During their current winning streak the team is scoring at a much higher rate - 74 points per game - than during any part of the season this year. That is nearly 13 points above their year average of 61.9 points per game. The Highlight Reels are also starting to find some consistency from three point range shooting 42% from deep over their past two games, also 13 percentage points over their team average this year of 31%.
A big reason for the increased team scoring output comes with a couple of hot shooters headed into the post season.
Brandon Hunter is on one of those streaks, shooting 44% (11/25) from three over the past two games and has also made 69% of his two point shots, going 9 of 13 from the floor. Hunter has pushed his three point percentage over 30%, climbing steadily to 32% over the past few weeks. It is somewhere he and his older brother Jason have struggled this winter season.
Speaking of Jason, he has also started to find a little bit of a touch from long range. His three point percentage has also climbed steadily from the basement. Just about a month ago, the oldest Hunter brother was shooting a mere 25% from three. Over the past 5 games, Jason is shooting 56% from deep, going 9 of 16, and tied a season high in points with 18 two Sundays ago. Hunter's three point percentage has jumped to 33% on the year which is just a tad above his career total of 32%.
Andy Kempf, who is having his best rebounding output on his career, has grabbed over 10 rebounds five games in a row, topping 15 rebounds twice. He is averaging nearly 12 rebounds a game, easily his best mark, and is also finding some sort of touch from beyond the arc as well. Never a strong point during his tenure in the Highlight Reels organization, Kempf has taken 14 three pointers on the year, making five of them for a career high of 36%. He has only taken 18 three point shots over his career before this season, connecting on only three (17%).
Not to be outdone by his younger counterpart, Kerry Hunter grabbed a season high 14 rebounds two Sundays ago and his having a quality year after thinking of retirement over the past year or so. Back problems have limited the big man to only 13 games this season but his totals are only slightly down in each category from a few years ago. The eldest Hunter is averaging 6.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Those totals are only mere half-point totals less than during his extended time on the Price is Right where he averaged 6.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. His career totals are 8 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Guard Kyle Komer has been limited to only 10 games this season with the Highlight Reels but has again proven to be a valuable leader on both sides of the floor. His percentages are down from just this past fall, but his totals are slightly above that same season. Komer is shooting 44% from two point range and 35% from three, yet has pushed his scoring totals up to 8.5 per game (8.3 in the fall) and 3.5 rebounds per game (3.3 in the fall) this season. He is also shooting a team high 80% from the free throw line. Komer's career totals include 12.1 points per game shooting 44% from the field.
New comers Justin Woo and Chuck Caldwell has also added some more depth on the glass and guard play this season as well. Though limited to 10 and 9 games respectively this season, Woo has made his presence felt underneath and is coming off an 8 point, 6 rebound night this past Sunday. He is averaging 6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Caldwell, who had one of his better scoring total games just two weeks ago with 12 points, has solidified the top of the 2-3 zone along with Komer and Jason Hunter. He is averaging just a touch over 8 points per game to go along with two rebounds per game.
The Human Highlight Reels will attempt their fourth playoff run tonight at 6pm in the Brunswick Rec Center. Finishing third of fourteen team in the conference, the Highlight Reels will face 14th ranked Great 8, who only had one win during the regular season.
Monday, February 24, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Human Highlight Reels Move to 6-5 After Win
A game that was seemingly closer than it should be, the HHR came away with a 63-54 victory over Thee Money Team.
Money Team came into the matchup with a 2-7 record.
Three point shooting from the opposition kept them in the contest most of the night. TMT led 15-11 early, after making five three pointers to start the contest. The Reels held them to only two the rest of the first half which led them to the 36-30 advantage at halftime.
Yet after pushing the lead to double digits toward the middle of the second half, they began to flounder for the second time in two games. The defense gave up three straight three pointers and the offense came to a stop, giving TMT control of the momentum in the ball game.
A late timeout settled the good guys however as the Reels started to find open baskets and shot a season-high 26 free throws (19/26, 73%), most of them coming late in the contest, to seal the victory.
Although their schedule has been light as of late, the Reels are almost fighting themselves late in ball games. Hopefully the trend does not continue as the playoff push has begun.
The road however gets a bit tougher next week as the team will face off against Winking Lizard, who was 7-2 as of the latest standings. Winking Lizard actually leads the entire league in defense, allowing only 389 points in nine games, which is around 43 points per game.
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Kempf Reaches 100
A positive to take away from this past weeks game is Andy Kempf, who pulled down his 4th double-double of the season and has eclipsed 100 points for the the season. This is the first time in his career that he has totaled more than 100 points in one season. His next closest point total came during the Price is Right winter season where he totaled 90 points.
Kempf is averaging career bests* in both points (7.7) and rebound (10.9) this year.
* Kempf did average 13 rebounds in a shortened stint during the Price is Right fall season.
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Hunter Reaches 100
For the fourth winter season in a row, Brandon Hunter has reached the 100-mark in rebounds. Hunter only needs 42 points to also reach his fourth 300 point, 100 rebound season.
Hunter leads the team in scoring at 19.8 points per game and is third in rebounds per game with 8.4, which is a career best on the glass.
Money Team came into the matchup with a 2-7 record.
Three point shooting from the opposition kept them in the contest most of the night. TMT led 15-11 early, after making five three pointers to start the contest. The Reels held them to only two the rest of the first half which led them to the 36-30 advantage at halftime.
Yet after pushing the lead to double digits toward the middle of the second half, they began to flounder for the second time in two games. The defense gave up three straight three pointers and the offense came to a stop, giving TMT control of the momentum in the ball game.
A late timeout settled the good guys however as the Reels started to find open baskets and shot a season-high 26 free throws (19/26, 73%), most of them coming late in the contest, to seal the victory.
Although their schedule has been light as of late, the Reels are almost fighting themselves late in ball games. Hopefully the trend does not continue as the playoff push has begun.
The road however gets a bit tougher next week as the team will face off against Winking Lizard, who was 7-2 as of the latest standings. Winking Lizard actually leads the entire league in defense, allowing only 389 points in nine games, which is around 43 points per game.
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Kempf Reaches 100
A positive to take away from this past weeks game is Andy Kempf, who pulled down his 4th double-double of the season and has eclipsed 100 points for the the season. This is the first time in his career that he has totaled more than 100 points in one season. His next closest point total came during the Price is Right winter season where he totaled 90 points.
Kempf is averaging career bests* in both points (7.7) and rebound (10.9) this year.
* Kempf did average 13 rebounds in a shortened stint during the Price is Right fall season.
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Hunter Reaches 100
For the fourth winter season in a row, Brandon Hunter has reached the 100-mark in rebounds. Hunter only needs 42 points to also reach his fourth 300 point, 100 rebound season.
Hunter leads the team in scoring at 19.8 points per game and is third in rebounds per game with 8.4, which is a career best on the glass.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Reels Move Back to .500
It may not have been pretty, but the Human Highlight Reels have moved back to playing .500 basketball.
A 60-49 victory over Panini's-Black this past Monday will hopefully get the ball rolling in the right direction for the team; a team that started to show a little consistency on the offense end with great ball movement.
Dressing a near full roster this past Monday, the Reels have seemingly begun to find some fluidity to their offense. Panini's was giving up a lot of open space in the middle of the key with their own version of the 2-3 zone and the good guys took advantage shooting 11 of 23 from the floor inside the arc, good enough for 48%.
Over half of the teams offense came from those baskets as well as the 11 free throws the team made (11/15, 73%).
Though the three ball wasn't falling at a great clip (9/28, 32%), they made some big ones when it was needed. Throughout the first half, the HHR relied a little more heavily on the long ball, taking 17 three pointers which left them with a 26-23 lead at the half.
But as the ball movement increased, the three point attempts dropped and the lead widened. The Reels only took 11 three pointers in the second half and started to convert more open looks under and around the basket, something that started to look for late in the first.
A large lead towards the middle of the second half quickly dropped to only four after a few turnovers and defensive letdowns. Yet a quick timeout by coach Jason Hunter settled the team down and the team pushed back out to a double digit lead by the end of the game.
Brandon Hunter led all scorers with 29 points; Andy Kempf led on the glass with 11.
The Human Highlight Reels will face Thee Money Team this coming Monday at 7:25. Thee Money Team currently stands at 2-7, slating them 7th out of 8 teams in Division III.
A 60-49 victory over Panini's-Black this past Monday will hopefully get the ball rolling in the right direction for the team; a team that started to show a little consistency on the offense end with great ball movement.
Dressing a near full roster this past Monday, the Reels have seemingly begun to find some fluidity to their offense. Panini's was giving up a lot of open space in the middle of the key with their own version of the 2-3 zone and the good guys took advantage shooting 11 of 23 from the floor inside the arc, good enough for 48%.
Over half of the teams offense came from those baskets as well as the 11 free throws the team made (11/15, 73%).
Though the three ball wasn't falling at a great clip (9/28, 32%), they made some big ones when it was needed. Throughout the first half, the HHR relied a little more heavily on the long ball, taking 17 three pointers which left them with a 26-23 lead at the half.
But as the ball movement increased, the three point attempts dropped and the lead widened. The Reels only took 11 three pointers in the second half and started to convert more open looks under and around the basket, something that started to look for late in the first.
A large lead towards the middle of the second half quickly dropped to only four after a few turnovers and defensive letdowns. Yet a quick timeout by coach Jason Hunter settled the team down and the team pushed back out to a double digit lead by the end of the game.
Brandon Hunter led all scorers with 29 points; Andy Kempf led on the glass with 11.
The Human Highlight Reels will face Thee Money Team this coming Monday at 7:25. Thee Money Team currently stands at 2-7, slating them 7th out of 8 teams in Division III.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Human Highlight Reels Searching for Answers after 49-51 Defeat
Questions.
That is what the Human Highlight Reels have after falling to 4-5 on the year this past Sunday.
After only scoring 17 points in the first half against a Division III opponent, the Reels changed gears offensively. Big man Kerry Hunter hit all three of his three point attempts in the second half and leading scorer Brandon Hunter also hit his three three pointers. Yet for the first time this season, their legs began to fail them.
Missing Kyle Komer due to an illness and Justin Woo for personal reasons, the Reels only suited up five. The advantage then fell to State Farm, who suited up 7 and repeatedly brough in fresh legs off the bench as the good guys floundered. Easy baskets, layups, and second chance opportunities...along with another poor shooting performance...pushed State Farm to an unreachable 51 points.
The positives to look forward to still include the schedule, which benefits the Human Highlight Reels. The remaining schedule puts them up against teams from the lower Division III, only one of which has a winning record.
State Farm moved to 7-2 in Division III after the win this past Monday.
The Reels stand at 4-5, which is still good enough for third in the 8 team division, and will face Division III opponent Paninis-Black this coming Monday who are 3-6.
That is what the Human Highlight Reels have after falling to 4-5 on the year this past Sunday.
After only scoring 17 points in the first half against a Division III opponent, the Reels changed gears offensively. Big man Kerry Hunter hit all three of his three point attempts in the second half and leading scorer Brandon Hunter also hit his three three pointers. Yet for the first time this season, their legs began to fail them.
Missing Kyle Komer due to an illness and Justin Woo for personal reasons, the Reels only suited up five. The advantage then fell to State Farm, who suited up 7 and repeatedly brough in fresh legs off the bench as the good guys floundered. Easy baskets, layups, and second chance opportunities...along with another poor shooting performance...pushed State Farm to an unreachable 51 points.
The positives to look forward to still include the schedule, which benefits the Human Highlight Reels. The remaining schedule puts them up against teams from the lower Division III, only one of which has a winning record.
State Farm moved to 7-2 in Division III after the win this past Monday.
The Reels stand at 4-5, which is still good enough for third in the 8 team division, and will face Division III opponent Paninis-Black this coming Monday who are 3-6.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Short Handed HHR Pull off Team Victory
With their smallest dressed lineup to date with only five guys, the Human Highlight Reels went up against the Monstars this past Monday.
The Monstars, in turn, suited up eight.
However, with no subs available, the good guys came up with a 62-47 victory, anchored by leading scorer Brandon Hunter (30 points, 8 rebounds) and a defensive 2-3 zone that held the opposition to only 15 points in the second half.
Without Kyle Komer, Justin Woo, and recovering big man Alex Yablonsky in the lineup, the Reels had to ensure that they played better team basketball and made their open shots when they had them.
Check.
The ball moved quickly and efficiently throughout the contest. It wasn't rare to see four, five, or six passes on one possession a good handful leading to wide open layups or three pointers. A few times, after the ball movement and offensive movement by the players, two guys would be open in the same spot actually leading to someone "stealing" a pass from a teammate.
The open layups were an added bonus, as were the free throws. The good guys shot 17 free throws on the evening and made 12 of them, well over their sub 60% mark for the season. Brandon Hunter went 3 of 6, Jason Hunter 4 of 4, leading free throw shooter Andy Kempf was 4 of 5, and Chuck Caldwell added one more (1/2).
Back to Brandon.
His 30 points came on a night where the team needed a little offensive output from his direction. Hunter scorched the Monstars in the first half with four three pointers (4/8) and followed up with three more in the second (3/6). He added the three previously mentioned free throws and three more buckets from the field (3/6).
Even with the great effort of the team offensively, they only led 34-32 coming out of halftime to much more athletic team. The 2-3 zone had given up six three pointers in the first half, but as the Monstars broke down physically and mentally (picking up a technical foul late in the half), the Reels held their opponents to zero three pointers in the second half, which helped to open up the game.
It was a great team effort all around, possibly the best team game that the Reels have played all season, and it resulted in their third victory on the year. The HHR currently sit at 3-4.
The team hopes to have Komer and Woo back for their upcoming game on Monday at 6:30.
The Monstars, in turn, suited up eight.
However, with no subs available, the good guys came up with a 62-47 victory, anchored by leading scorer Brandon Hunter (30 points, 8 rebounds) and a defensive 2-3 zone that held the opposition to only 15 points in the second half.
Without Kyle Komer, Justin Woo, and recovering big man Alex Yablonsky in the lineup, the Reels had to ensure that they played better team basketball and made their open shots when they had them.
Check.
The ball moved quickly and efficiently throughout the contest. It wasn't rare to see four, five, or six passes on one possession a good handful leading to wide open layups or three pointers. A few times, after the ball movement and offensive movement by the players, two guys would be open in the same spot actually leading to someone "stealing" a pass from a teammate.
The open layups were an added bonus, as were the free throws. The good guys shot 17 free throws on the evening and made 12 of them, well over their sub 60% mark for the season. Brandon Hunter went 3 of 6, Jason Hunter 4 of 4, leading free throw shooter Andy Kempf was 4 of 5, and Chuck Caldwell added one more (1/2).
Back to Brandon.
His 30 points came on a night where the team needed a little offensive output from his direction. Hunter scorched the Monstars in the first half with four three pointers (4/8) and followed up with three more in the second (3/6). He added the three previously mentioned free throws and three more buckets from the field (3/6).
Even with the great effort of the team offensively, they only led 34-32 coming out of halftime to much more athletic team. The 2-3 zone had given up six three pointers in the first half, but as the Monstars broke down physically and mentally (picking up a technical foul late in the half), the Reels held their opponents to zero three pointers in the second half, which helped to open up the game.
It was a great team effort all around, possibly the best team game that the Reels have played all season, and it resulted in their third victory on the year. The HHR currently sit at 3-4.
The team hopes to have Komer and Woo back for their upcoming game on Monday at 6:30.
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