By Britton Barthold
NOTICE: I apologize for the delay in the updated version of the Power Rankings. Due to a lack of updated standings, I did not have much to work with, but now that they are back on track, you should be getting what you want. I was able to attend all but one game Sunday, so I should have some quality notes on most players who performed well.
*() Indicates previous ranking*
1. (4) Suns [3-0]
The Suns make a huge leap in the rankings after providing two dominant performances. Senior Conor Davey has been perfect for the team, and junior Danny O’Boyle was on fire during Sunday evenings contest. On fire… get it? The team also got a huge spiritual and talking boost in the arrival of junior big man Spencer Stovall. Stovall provided quality rebounds throughout with I think two points, maybe four. Well, he scored. Along with that, junior Brendan Seiler did his usual thing, draining mid range shots along with successfully driving to the basket on multiple occasions. Big man Ryan Murray also provides help in the paint, and it would not be surprising if this team remains in the top three the rest of the season.
2. (2) Cavaliers [3-0]
The Cavs will have to stay at their #2 ranking as they continue to ride a three game undefeated streak to start the season. Unfortunately, this is the one game I did miss Sunday, so I naturally asked all around basketball stud PK Brannigan how the win went. From what I heard, the Cavs had five players, but that did not stop Brannigan from putting down threes, and from junior Michael Parsley hitting floaters. The team also found great play from senior Matt Pettit and some solid defense from junior JP Roach. The team has talent, and we are yet to see anything from senior big man Dylan Cunningham who was sick today. The interesting thing though… the Wednesday after break, the Suns will play the Cavs for the right to be #1 in the league. Get ready.
3. (11) Lakers [2-1]
I told you this team was going to be legit, and that the #11 ranking was a fluke. Alright, you can stop freaking out now. Those first rankings were a very hard thing to work with. Now that this team is in full capacity riding a two game win streak, you can safely say this team is going to be good. Even though today's win was via forfeit, the team still played a ragtag Jazz team and dominated most of the game. The team has three huge players in Timmy Graham, whose socks were sensational, Robbie Arrix and John Mackie who terrorize opposing defenses with their rebounding ability and height. Mackie was electric Sunday, blocking anything that came into his paint while also scoring at will. Defensive specialist Tyler Grant kept in football mode during the game, picking off any deep balls the opposing team tried throwing across the court. The team needs to work on movement of the ball, but for right now, they stand at #3 after two impressive wins.
4. (3) Jazz [2-1]
The Jazz failed to show up today, as only three players (Voigt twins and Anthony DiMeglio) decided to play today. Freak of nature Julien Noujaim was not in attendance, leaving a huge void in the paint for the team. The Jazz however continued to scrimmage the Lakers with help from fellow House players Mike Maccarone and the legendary TJ Adiletta, and looked sharp. The highlight of the team was sharpshooter Anthony DiMeglio, who was dropping threes from long distance all day long. When the team gets Noujaim back, they should be able to get defenses to guard the paint, allowing DiMeglio to go to work.
5. (5) Nuggets [2-1]
The Nuggets round out the final five teams with a winning record in the league so far. However, the team played awful Sunday, allowing 41 points while only scoring 19. The loss of James Fox proves hard for this team who could not get much going in the paint. The arrival of senior Matt Hayes should help, as Hayes nailed a fadeaway bank shot early in the first half. Hayes, known for his soccer playing abilities, also owned the quote of the day in his first House game, saying during the game. “I don’t know this sport works.” Senior big man Alex Hager could not find his shot early, though he did hit a bank shot three to end the game. The Nuggets were also without star Hudson Hamill, so the return of him should bring this back to its winning ways.
6. (1) Heat [1-2]
The Heat drop from their #1 spot after dropping two straight, including a one-point loss Sunday afternoon. According to sources, (Sam Bowtell himself) has apparently not arrived yet for the team. I was not able to attend the Heat game, but I did get a good look at seniors Michael Maccarone and TJ Adiletta as they unselfishly filled in for an ailing Jazz team, and both looked good. The team should return after time off during break to their promising abilities held during the first week of the season. The arrival of Bowtell will revitalize this team, as his strength and ability in the paint will be hard for opposing defenses to match. Bowtell himself said, “well we need a dominant paint presence and the rest of our team is hella good.” Motivating words from the man himself.
7. (7) Knicks [1-2]
The Knicks will have to stick it out in their #7 ranking, as the team sits at 1-2 after winning their first game of the season Sunday. I had the privilege of watching George Reed coach this team, and it was interesting to say the least. The team started the game without Reed, but when he arrived, he imposed a relentless full court press that had the Mavericks at a loss for the entire game. Senior Calvin Crosby was destroying the Mavericks on the perimeter, and even without big man Dolan Gregorich, the team was able to stop Mavericks big man Jack Garfield from scoring with solid defense from junior Mark Schmidt. Reed came up to me after the game and had a single question before leaving, “Like what you saw?” I did George. Also, shout out to Christian Trifone and his patriotic shoes, along with Bobby’s American flag bandana. The Knicks are a good basketball team, but are also the leagues most patriotic team.
8. (8) Bulls [1-2]
The Bulls will be another team that will not move in the rankings, as they gained their first win of the season against a four man Celtics team. The team did win by a lot, but the story of the night was the inability to make a layup on both sides. I seriously think both teams combined for 4-22 on layups during the game. On the bright side, lone senior Jack Feeley was dominant against a small Celtics team, and junior star Jamie Schofield drove with ease to the basket throughout the contest. Both Matt and Chris Drake provided quality defense alongside junior Sean Edgar.
9. (9) Wizards [1-2]
The Wizards grabbed their first win of the season with a 10-point victory over the Nets. The Wizards finally got to debut their star, Colin Minicus in a game where Minicus shined. Minicus was able to do it all, hitting threes while also driving to the basket and making circus layups. The team also got huge help from the athleticism of junior Andrew Mathew, who plays with a huge amount of speed for his height. The team also only played with six, due to the absence of the Constanino twins during Sunday’s game. Overall, the team should find success with the arrival of Minicus and the play of Mathew.
10. (6) Mavericks [1-2]
The Mavericks struggled against the relentless full court press from the Knicks during Sunday’s game. Seniors Brian Walsh and Liam Donoghue provided some offense for the team, as the Mavs were without seniors Jack Garfield and Charlie Travers until halftime. Travers provided a much-needed spark entering the second half, hitting a three-point bomb on his first shot attempt of the year. That was one of the few bright spots, as the team lost another game, leaving them at 1-2 with their only win coming from a forfeit. However, we have not seen this team play fully with Travers, so hopefully the team can bounce back from this skid after the break.
11. (10) Nets [1-2]
The Nets looked to find a spark with the debut of the “White Chocolate Wonder” Jack Griffiths, but the team could not hold off the Wizards Sunday. Easily, the Nets remain one of the most entertaining teams, as Griffiths provided some quality moments and a foul that should have been called a charge on the big man. Griffiths also scored in the paint for the Nets, while almost making a three. Almost. Senior Stephen Barston was able to hit a few threes throughout the contest along with junior Andrew Washer. Colin Corcoran was perfect in the paint for the Nets, grabbing rebounds and hitting shots throughout the day. The team struggled without senior big man Jack Duggan, and hopes the return of the big man will give them a much-needed win after the break.
12. (12) Celtics [0-3]
The lone winless team in the league this year, the Celtics could not even field five players for their game Sunday. I had the honor to play against them, and for me, it was fun, but the Celtics struggled to hit easy layups and lacked size due to the absence of Aidan Coyle. So, I asked senior Peter Archey about it all and he does not want me talking about his team and his play. Instead, he wants me to present his football stats from this year. So, I honored Pete’s decision. Archey ran for 689 yards for the Blue Wave while also scoring 13 rushing touchdowns. He also had 55 total tackles. Either way, the team needs to win a game before being labeled a bust.
