Monday, January 27, 2014

Mid-Season 11/12 House Basketball Power Rankings

by George Reed

We’ve hit the mid season mark of the house season, and the race towards glory is heating up … fast.

1. Wizards (7-1)
It should be obvious to most who follow the league that the most dominant team thus far has been the Wiz. The magic (pun intended) being produced by these young men is truly a spectacle. I have been able to personally witness many of the beatdowns that the Wizards are laying upon helpless teams. Keep in mind the one loss this crew had was a forfeit. Junior Mikey Maccarone is running the show with help from fellow junior and two-sport star Peter Archey and senior stud Graham Helgans. Maccarone has a knack for distributing the rock at opportune times to his big man, junior Jack Garfield, and the style in which he does so is extraordinary. I’m a fan of this team and only see good things from them in the weeks to come, especially when the man directing these young athletes is prominently known as the best in the league (Coach Archey).

2. Nuggets (7-1)
The nuggets have been fantastic in the early portion of this house year. Austin Crane has led this team to 7 victories and the one loss coming at the cruel hands of the Wizards. The one thing that this team lacks is a consistent scoring option, but they usually make up for it with the tremendous defense from the Traver brothers. Junior “Bigolas Nicholas” Wildish has had a breakout season thus far, stroking the midrange jumper like he’s draining home alone in his driveway. If someone can step up and become a viable scorer, then don’t be afraid if you see the Prep Rep wearing a ring.

3. Nets (5-3)
Those in attendance on Sunday, January 26th in the New Gym witnessed a classic. The rejuvenated Nets took on a highly ranked Lakers squad in a game that needed two overtime periods to settle. The game started with fireworks and ended with them, as junior Anthony DiMeglio’s 21 points (5-6 from downtown) and my 22 points willed the Nets to a victory. DiMeglio has been nothing short of outstanding recently, particularly with his production from moneyball territory; he has been drilling threes at a high rate and with consistency. With 13 seconds remaining in regulation, DiMeglio found his favorite spot on the floor and nailed a 30 footer to tie the game at 45 a piece. The Nets then went on to win in double overtime. The status of senior leader and point guard Dan Murphy remains unseen after a hand injury in this contest, but sources have it that his finger has been realigned and a return is immediate.  Many say that this team is just getting started as they are 3-0 when all players have been removed from the disabled list ;) .

4. Lakers (5-3)
The aforementioned Lakers have let their opponents know loud and clear their intentions: to brutally assault opposing teams on the defensive end. The Lakers have brought a press to the league that is unmatched as a superior amount of athleticism rests on the shoulders of seniors Brendan Donahue and Zach Basu. These two individuals utilize the talents of junior Matt Sherwood and others to the fullest potential in order to put up a large amount of points from a lot of different contributors. If Sherwood can find his game on the low block, and the press is effective, this team is going to be very difficult to beat.

5. Mavericks (6-2)
The Mavericks remain a mystery in this year’s House League. Strong performances by juniors Danny Siemers and Sam Bowtell have lifted this team to a number of key wins. However, this team does not “show up” week after week. The Mavs have a physical advantage with stud-athlete and senior Myles Ridder and junior giant James Fox, but lack the overall scoring talent that is inevitably necessary to be productive in such an offensive-oriented league. Look for the Mavs to steady their pace of play and feed the big men who are hungry on the block.

6. Cavaliers (4-4)
The Cavs have climbed the ladder of House Rankings as they have put together a beautiful month of January thus far. With another win over the Heat on Sunday, Blake Lange’s squad has moved into position to make a dive into the top 5 in the following weeks. The Cavs have a style of basketball that allows them to put together solid performances week in and week out, and no team should want to face them in the near future.

7. Knicks (4-4)
The Knicks are the most radical team in the league this year. Seniors Carter Watt, Chris Chiamulera, Dylan Carruthers, and Jack Foley have a tendency to not “bring it” week in and week out. I assure you that if the attendance and effort were there, the Knicks would be a dominant force in the league. League sources report that Carruthers is starting to find his offensive game. If this holds true, look out for the Knicks, because a hot Carruthers could mean sheer hopelessness for opposing teams.

8. Bulls (3-5)
Junior Calvin Crosby’s Bulls have been lackluster as of late. Crosby’s outstanding marksmanship from all over the court has not been enough to will this team to victory week in and week out. Junior Kevin Pendo’s style of play needs to complement the play of Crosby better if this team is seeking victories in the month of February. At least this team has separated themselves a wee bit from the remaining four teams with a win over a solid Mavericks team this Sunday.

9. Jazz (3-5)
The Jazz picked up a key win on Sunday as senior Harry Gillespie and the boys took down the Knicks. Thus far in the season, junior Dylan Cunningham has played Goose to Gillespie’s Maverick quite well. Cunningham and Gillespie are teaming up to form a solid scoring duo. Two-sport star Andrew Nault also is just starting to gear up for this year’s season, and the influence he could have on this team may be immeasurable.

10. Heat (2-6)
The question on everyone’s minds thus far into the house season still remains unanswered: how will junior Charlie Travers affect the league? At this point in the season, there is no fair answer. Travers has put on a show in several games, but has also been unable to will his team to many W’s. Look for Travers to take it seriously and turn it on in the upcoming weeks.

11. Thunder (1-7)
The Thunder got the winless monkey off their back this week with a smacking of a weary Celtics gang. Junior Conor Davey walked the walk and talked the talk as he directed this team to a lopsided 54-34 victory. The margin of victory is the only thing keeping the Thunder from being the lowest seeded team in house. Davey, junior Jamie Schwartz, and perhaps injured junior Cooper Drippé need to work together if the Thunder have intentions of making a playoff run.

12. Celtics (2-6)
The Celtics have not had much to offer as far as competition in the league since December. The last time the C’s found themselves on the favorable side of the win column was all the way back in 2013, falling in six consecutive games to various teams. Junior Phillip Rech needs to do something radical and he needs to do it fast in order for this team to be successful.



No comments: