2016 FBA Season/15.12.19

Saturday, December 19
BAL		116	W
WPG		108
PIT		114
AZW		117	W
PLY		96
HWI		104	W
TEN		103
SJT		110	W
WIL		112	W
ALK		106
Previous Day		Next Day

Baltimore Spirits @ Winnipeg Voyageurs

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Spirits 29 28 30 29 116 Voyageurs 28 25 28 27 108 Boxscore

Officials: Rocco Williams #18, Ralph Gayle #35, Dimitra Kyriakov #34 Arena: Riverside Stadium - Winnipeg, MB Player of the Game: Theodore Rockwell (Wolf/Cheetah Hybrid, F) - 20 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl

Pittsburgh Keystones @ Arizona Whips

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Keystones 31 25 27 31 114 Whips 28 31 30 28 117 Boxscore

Officials: Syed Nahle #29, Kasumi Katsuhito #2, Esther Haines #36 Arena: Ascendant Arena - Flagstaff, AZ Player of the Game: Albert Jon Middendorff (Kodiak Bear, F/G) - 23 pts, 8 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk

Lesson of the day don't count the chickens before they hatched, cuz I am sure some fortunate, dumbfounded fur hit it big on the betting sites. I bet Mr. Chavic is thanking every higher power imaginable for keeping Serhan Tevetoğlu (Turkish Angora Cat, F/C) around, being the only big able to hold the fort after the incident with Morgan McCarthy (Bighorn Sheep, C) and the injury of Karl Chiklak (Moose, C), which left them with only one player able to play the 5 and having Remy Belgique (Belgian Tervuren, G/F) cover unknown territory at PF. It was "obvious" it'd be a landslide; going against seasoned veteran Lance Freewell (Clouded Leopard, C) and a steamroller of a team you'd think your fate is sealed, huh? But never count out the power of hustling. What started as a forecast in the first quarter turned into a 180 into the second and third, Albert Jon Middendorff (Kodiak Bear, F/G) easily managed to shut down last year's star rookie Shirley Takamoto (Jaguar, F/G), lowering her otherwise excelling scoring, Lance Wildfyre (Rabbit, G) decimating Ned Pritchard (Bullfrog, G) and a bench that majorly showed incredible resilience. Although Freewell showcased his strongest game this season so far, stepping up majorly in the last quarter, it wasn't enough to seal the truth: The streak was no more and Arizona scores an important W. The ursine was, unsurprisingly, the player walking out with the POTG honors, after an All Star worthy game. The league is still full of surprises, the more reasons to stay tuned to your TV. This might be a very eventful season. ~Z. Donovan

COMMENTS: 0 — View page

Plymouth Taproots @ Hawaii Kahunas

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Taproots 27 23 24 22 96 Kahunas 27 24 25 28 104 Boxscore

Officials: Johnny Carp #6, Frieda Mistry #44, Martin Rosario #12 Arena: E Komo Mai Arena - Honolulu, HI Player of the Game: Teo Masalia (Black Panther, G) - 14 pts, 4 reb, 10 ast, 2 stl

Wow. Two weeks ago, who would have predicted that the Hawaii Kahunas would be the last undefeated team in the FBA? And that the Plymouth Taproots would have yet to notch a single win? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Analysts raised eyebrows when Hawaii General Manager Wilmer Grehr embraced a youth-heavy strategy for his new franchise. As expected, the Kahunas did not have an easy start. But Grehr’s gambit began to show signs of paying off when a late-season push last season allowed his ragtag band to squeak into the playoffs. This season, the Kahunas seem determined to prove their abbreviated playoff run was no fluke. Though they publicly continue their established reputation for ribbing each other on social media, on the court they operate like a well-oiled machine. Maybe it’s the sunshine. Maybe it’s the pineapples. Whatever the cause we may never know, as this writer’s request to conduct an extended in-depth study of the environment was denied by the editor. Veteran point guard Teo Masalia (Black Panther, G) led the Kahunas, sinking the first shot of the night to get the hometown crowd excited. His skill at reading the flow of the game gave him 10 assists on the night, which combined with 14 points to give him a double-double and another Player of the Game. Despite his veteran skill, Masalia jerseys are still outnumbered in the stands by those of Scoonie Barrett (Otter, F/C). The ink on his massive contract still wet, tonight the otter seemed as determined as ever to prove he is worth the money. Barrett led the Kahunas in points and rebounds with 20 and 11 respectively. On the Plymouth side, superstar-in-the-making Travis Buckner (Grey Koala, F)’s 28 points were the most of anyone on either team, and he all but shut down Alphonse Norwich IV (Street Rat, F), limiting the rodent to less than 10 points. But as good as the marsupial is, no one can carry an entire team by themselves. Undrafted rookie Moses Workman (Cedar Waxwing, G) was clearly out of his depth in the starting point guard slot, struggling to get half as many points as his Hawaiian opposite. Rookie center Ginovani Bartolini (Gorilla, C/F) likewise proved no match for Hawaii’s big offseason acquisition, Zack Tate (Zorilla, C). Though they matched each other for rebounds, the gorilla seemed reluctant to shoot at times, untrusting of his own talents. One bad pass in the fourth quarter led directly to a Julian Cross-Kiraly (Saluki, G) three-pointer. There is no doubt that the Taproots are suffering after Nina Lime (Wolf, G/F)’s tragic injury, but the extent of the team’s collapse is still surprising given the amount of talent that remains on the roster. The team would do well to fill the last slot on their lineup, and soon. With the Pittsburgh Keystones’ shocking loss last night to the Arizona Whips, the Kahunas are now all alone atop the league with a 7-0 record. They look to keep their streak alive against the streaking Baltimore Spirits on Monday. The Taproots, meanwhile, will seek their first win of the season against the slumping Alaska Arctics. -S. St. James

COMMENTS: 0 — View page

Tennessee Moonshiners @ San Jose Thrust

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Moonshiners 28 26 27 22 103 Thrust 25 28 27 30 110 Boxscore

Officials: Fred Kimteech #11, James McConnaugh #19, Vonne de la Fresca #38 Arena: Rabbit Valley Pavilion II - San Jose, CA Player of the Game: Alessandro Serra (Weasel, G) - 15 pts, 3 reb, 9 ast, 1 stl

Williamsburg Minutemen @ Alaska Arctics

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F Minutemen 28 31 24 29 112 Arctics 28 30 25 23 106 Boxscore

Officials: Tim Young #16, Pierre Laroche #21, Lawrence Law #1 Arena: Arctic Tundra Arena - Anchorage, AK Player of the Game: Vera La Tiérra (Red Vixen, G) - 24 pts, 4 reb, 12 ast Promo: Lucky Row Night

Daily Stats

See the complete box scores for 15.12.19

Loading comments...