1st Division (Sun) Player of the Week

(F) KYLE JOSE (LACE’O MY ASO)

17 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Wat Misaka Defensive Player of the Week

(G/F) MATT BIRTWELL (LACE’O MY ASO)

5 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 block

The Sam Lo Hustle Award

(G/F) MATT BIRTWELL (LACE’O MY ASO)

14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals, 1 block

Spot Dessert Bar Most Outstanding Rookie

(G) JACOB LEIZMAN (DORIS FROM REGO PARK)

30 points, 4 3FGs, 8 rebounds, 1 steal

The High-5 Club

Matt Birtwell (LMA) 14-5-3-5-1
Kyle Jose (LMA) 17-11-2-1-1
Mark Promax (LMA) 15-7-1-2-2

Weekly League Leaders 

PTS: Jacob Leizman (DOR) 30, Vegas Dave Wong (SKW) 24
3FG: Jacob Leizman (DOR) 4, Vegas Dave Wong (SKW) 3
REB: Rick Louis (SKW) 24, [2 players] 11
AST: David Rivera (LMA) 6, [3 players] 5
STL: Matt Birtwell (LMA) 5, Chung Lee (LMA) 3
BLK: Mark Promax (LMA), A.K. Tewary (SKW) 2

2nd Division (Sun) Player of the Week

(F) SHERWIN SALAR (BOMB SQUAD)

16 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists

Wat Misaka Defensive Player of the Week

(C) MICHAEL MENG (WOLVERINES)

6 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks

The Sam Lo Hustle Award

(F) LOUIS KONIG (TAP NY)

8 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks

Spot Dessert Bar Most Outstanding Rookie

(F/C) BURKE WISE (RAINING ROSEBUDS)

15 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

The High-5 Club

Nick Abrapour (WOL) 10-12-3-1-1
G Beaubrun (WOL) 2-10-8-1-1
Louis Konig (TAP) 8-17-5-1-2
Michael Meng (WOL) 8-6-3-2-3
Burke Wise (RAR) 15-14-4-1-1

Weekly League Leaders 

PTS: Nick Liveris (WOL) 23, James Han (BOM) 22
3FG: Ori Damari (NFP) 6, James Han (BOM) 4
REB: Sherwin Salar (BOM) 20, Louis Konig (TAP) 17
AST: G Beaubrun (WOL) 8, Ren Hsieh (NFP) 7
STL: Stephen Lok (TAP) 3, [8 players] 2
BLK: Michael Meng (WOL) 3, [2 players] 2

3rd Division (Sun) Player of the Week

(G) SEAN HE (BALL IS LIFE)

28 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals

Wat Misaka Defensive Player of the Week

(F) SALEEM AHMED (NO FLY ZONE OG)

7 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 blocks

The Sam Lo Hustle Award

(F) HENRY LIN (TAIWAN NO. 1)

15 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block

Spot Dessert Bar Most Outstanding Rookie

(G) TIM YU (TAIWAN NO. 1)

21 points, 5 3FGs, 5 rebounds

The High-5 Club

Kojo Achiampong (LAR) 8-6-1-2-1
Marvin Chu (NFZ) 2-8-5-1-1
Mark Hahn (RIS) 10-4-2-2-1
Dennis Hou (TW1) 2-2-4-4-1
Henry Lin (TW1) 15-12-2-2-1
Guannan Liu (CRO) 21-5-1-1-1
Rob Rodkey (LAR) 2-5-1-1-2
Eddie Tsao (LAR) 12-2-1-1-1

Weekly League Leaders 

PTS: Sean He (BIL), Robert Zhang (GOO) 28
3FG: Saleem Ahmed (NFZ), Robert Zhang (GOO) 6
REB: Vikram Kulkami (GOO) 14, Felix Zhang (GOO) 13
AST: Ren Hsieh (NFZ) 7, [7 players] 4
STL: Sean He (BIL), Dennis Hou (TW1) 4
BLK: Saleem Ahmed (NFZ) 4, Rob Rodkey (LAR) 2

(3) NYC GRITTY COMMITTEE

VS

(6) GAME 7

This match-up was an instant classic for each team’s final game of the regular season. NYC Gritty Committee narrowly lost, but also had to play without (C) Victor Chia. Assuming he is back in the lineup, he’ll be a major factor in this game, as NGC struggled to keep GA7 out of the paint in that loss. On offense, stand out (G) Teddy Oh showed some growing pains as well, unable to figure out GA7’s zone D. These are two very crafty teams so the veterans will have to step up and take control.

Veteran (G) Elliott Curtis posted a great all around game in their reg season match-up, particularly from behind the arc. But their success came from a healthy dose of Curtis, (G) Mike Hamane & (F) Jamerson Green attacking the paint and finding shooters. If NGC has Chia in the paint, he can erase a lot of those opportunities, which may force GA7 to convert more from mid-range. Still, Green and Hamane will have to stay in attack mode to get NGC’s defense moving.

The veteran Lee has won more than his share of big games, they’ll need another vintage outing from him tonight against a tough GA7 squad. Lee took a step back this season to let Oh to step up offensively, but come playoff time, it’s the most experienced champions who take the reins.

Much like Lee for NGC, as long as Curtis is on the floor, GA7 has a chance to win. He is the focal point on offense in both scoring and as the team’s orchestrator, basically a player coach. Curtis has been lights out from behind the arc lately so look for a big night from the veteran guard.

(1) D.A.W.

VS

(9) TRIBE

After an opening season loss to a team that was eventually moved up to D1, D.A.W. has not lost another. This is a tough, physical team led by the dynamic duo of (G) Jason Meija and (C) Lou Nikki. There may not be a more formidable pair in D2. And they’re a tested team as well, winning close games all season long. They’re ready to compete for a title in their first season.

Tribe gets in by winning the play-in game, in which both teams played short-handed. So there is a possibility that TRI may be coming in with some tired legs. Still, there are key veteran players on this roster who have been here before, and won. If DAW sleeps on them, they certainly have the fortitude to pull off another upset and keep this run going.

Meija may be the toughest guard to stay in front of in D2. With an array of moves, and tough finishes, he’s able to create plenty of scoring opportunities for himself and for his teammates. His only shortcoming may be shot selection, but TRI doesn’t really have a player who can match up with his speed.

Chen is the kind of player that if you lose sight of him, he can hurt you. His game does not extend very far out on the perimeter, but he’s crafty, plays hard, and has a penchant for finding open spots on the floor. He should be a factor vs a DAW help D that occasionally falls asleep.

(2) DON’T EVER PLAY YOURSELF

VS

(7) UNCLE BOUGHT A COW

The two-time defending champs are still the favorite to win it all despite a season full of players needing time off for injury and for personal reasons. Their two losses seemed to have two things in common, young legs that move well off the ball, and reliable 3-point shooting. DPY’s physical style of defense can be exploited with those two things, and UBC has both. But with a full roster ready for the playoffs, and now a healthy (G) Emery Clark, DPY should still be considered the favorite here.

UBC lost their first four games to start the season. It looked hopeless, but a mid-season add of (F) Jacob Leizman turned it all around. This team has always played hard, but it didn’t always get the consistent offense to back up their effort. Leizman bring in 27.7 ppg, and that’s been good enough to finish 2-1 and enter the post-season with momentum. But getting DPY in the 1st rd is just about as tough a match-up as they could pull, especially with DPY wanting revenge for a reg season loss.

With Clark out of the lineup for most of the season, McFarlane was unleashed this season posting a career-best 22 ppg. Which takes nothing away from his bread & butter defense. Though his defensive #s are down, there are few players that defend like he does at his position.

Leizman is a natural scorer, finding any way to the put the ball in the bucket inside and out. The rookie gunner scored 34 on DPY in their reg season match-up, thanks to his tireless movement off the ball to get open and a knockdown jumper. DPY struggled to stay with him and paid the price.

(4) HONEY BADGERS

VS

(5) YOLO

It was the best regular season finish for the Honey Badgers, but their only interest here is to get back to the chip and win it. It’s all the same usual suspects, but with notable addition (F) Adam Powell who provides added scoring from the wing. Which has been HON’s weakness in the playoffs due to the amount of energy they expend on defense. YOLO, which is trying overcome it’s own playoff hump, will be a good test.

The addition of (F) Matt Birtwell and (G) Effie Klein, combined with the improved play of (F) Samson Adelaja has given YOL much more balanced scoring. And better overall rebounding and defense as well. YOLO isn’t one of D1’s flashier teams, so they could be poised for an upset here should teams want to sleep on them. But YOLO has not historically matched up very well with HON.

Zach Moretti’s nickname in this league is “Crash” because we can’t think of another player more willing to put his body on the line for every single play. Sometimes we worry about his health, but he makes for a great teammate–and a catalyst for HON–as no one is willing to let him crash alone.

The veteran Promax hasn’t shot efficiently this season, but if he can get it going early, it will challenge HON to focus their energy on defending him, which should open the lane up for Birtwell and Adelaja. Promax is the focal point, but will need to be crafty vs a tough defensive team.

(2) CRAFTY VETS

VS

(7) HOODIE MELOS

The Vets narrowly won their reg season match-up on a game-winner from former MVP (G) Chris Daley. They trailed for most of that game, but in crunch time, you can count on the aptly named former champs to make all the right plays to prevail. (G) Travis Benjamin has been as good as any guard in D1 this season and (C) Rob Sullivan and (F) Daryl Blank have yet to break out so far. They’re due.

Hoodie Melos are limping into the playoffs with key injuries shortening their roster, but this is a veteran squad that knows how to win playoff games. (G) Stephan Hodges has stepped up this season to be their leading perimeter scorer, but (G/F) Kev Chang is more than capable of filling it up as well, scoring 20.2 ppg in his two previous seasons. But HOO’s focal point offensively and defensively will be (F) Joe Vines.

The Melos are undersized at the (G) position compared to CRV, so Daley and Benjamin should get any shot they want. And keep in mind Benjamin was unavailable in the reg season game. Daley struggled early then, but finished strong. If shots fall early in this one, it could be a blowout.

Vines will be the biggest player on the floor in this one, but the Vets have plenty of what we like to call “corn-fed strength.” He won’t be able to play quite as much bully ball as he might be used to, but if the Melos can get it to him around the basket, he’ll get to the FT line and slow this game down.

(8) HANDEL ARCHITECTS

VS

(9) TBT

The Architects are basically feast or famine offensively. In their two wins they’ve won by a combined 48 points. But in their losses, well, let’s focus on the positives. (G/F) Han Lee can score with anyone in D3. They have a solid 3-pt threat is (G) Changhee Park, and (F) Garrett Brignoli fill in nicely as a hustle/utility man. And (F) Luke Lu puts in work on the glass as well. What they need to win is consistent scoring.

It’s been a tough season for TBT. After losing their opener by only two, they have gotten no closer than 15 in any subsequent match up. And the problem mostly has been their offense. (G/F) Bobby Woodworth is their only double-digit scorer at 10.5 ppg. But the great thing about single elimination playoffs is that anything can happen. If TBT can get hot in this game, they have just as much of a chance to win as HAN.

As mentioned, Lee can score. But his low rate of 3FGs (17%) and FTs (41%) can be a little troubling considering he does put up a decent amount of both. If he can get it going early, however, HAN can play ahead, which is what they’re better at. And TBT is not a strong offensive team.

Truth is, we don’t have much of a scouting report on Woodworth. He leads the team in scoring, but is producing just 10.5 ppg on 11.5 shots per game. Nobody on the roster has better scoring efficiency. Woodworth had better be red hot in this one, or they’ll need a number of guys to step up.

(3) MIXED BAG

VS

(6) NYC GRITTY COMMITTEE

Mixed Bag opened with two losses, but they bounced back to win out and finish 4-2. (G) Effie Klein has been a lights out shooter when available, converting 53% of his 3FGs, but it’s been the improved play of (G) Henry Bell that may be the key to MIX’s second half success. They are as strong a guard duo as you’ll find in D2. And with all-around threat (F) Mark Promax in the mix, this is a tough out for any team.

There’s no other way to put it, this has been a down season for NYC Gritty Committee’s vaunted back court. Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s just waning chemistry, but NGC, the winter league champs, and spring runner-ups, just haven’t been able to get the shots to drop this season. But if there’s any team who can turn it on when they need to most, it’s this Gritty. One win might turn into two, then three. NGC is a wild card here.

Evin with Klein’s efficient scoring, it’s been Bell carrying the load late in the season with Klein out. Bell’s contributions go up and down the stat line, but it will be his defense, especially in forcing TOs, combined with Klein and (G) Chung Lee, that will be key for MIX vs a veteran NGC back court.

The veteran guard has been their spark plug on offense and defense for several seasons now, and maybe it’s wearing down on him. But that’s the reg season, it’s also possible he’s just been pacing himself, as some long time veterans are known to do. If he gets hot, NGC can beat any team.

(2) 30-FOR-30

VS

(7) NY DYNASTY

Two in the loss column is more than we thought 30F would finish with. At times, they look unbeatable, with as tough a defense as there is. Rookie (F) Joseph Han has been a force all season long, but with increasing size in D3 (C) Ezekial Shin hasn’t quite been as efficient a scorer in the paint, though he has been a strong presence on D regardless. This a balanced team with more scoring options than the #s imply.

A team with this much talent on the roster has no business being 2-4. It just hasn’t clicked this season. For the first time, (G) David Chu did not finish as the team’s leading scorer, that went to (F) Tim Chin, who is a versatile threat, but his % is down. As is Chu’s. (G) Ian Yu is the team’s best slasher, but has been miserable at the FT line. It hasn’t been pretty for DYN, and this is their last chance to get it together.

Han is a strong, athletic scorer, and he can be even tougher on D. The truth is, DYN doesn’t really have anyone who can match-up with him one-on-one. He’s too fast for their forwards, too strong for their guards. Their reg season result is pretty much exactly how they want to play this one.

With 30F’s Shin defending the paint, it won’t be easy for an undersized DYN to find much in the paint. Which means Chu will have to get it going from 3. The problem is he has shot 26% this season, a career low. DYN has to find a way to get Chu going, at least in the hopes it will open everything else up.