Kings 84 vs. Danny’s Boys 71
What a fun game to watch! High scoring, lots of excitement and a hell of a shootout between this year’s leading candidate for league MVP, Pete Kathopoulis, and last season’s MVP Bill Zonios. Zonios was very efficient tonight, scoring 28 points, in different ways, along with a handful of nice assists. He has really turned it on in the last few games, and I believe after tonight puts himself back in the race for this year’s MVP award. Chris Kourelias had a heck of a game too! Kourelias scored 17 points, including a couple huge 3 pointers and a pretty behind the back pass to a hard working Foti Giannopoulos who scored 15. Lou Sarris Grau is just dominant defensively, and is my leader for defensive player of the year award. Lou either alters, or blocks almost every shot that comes into the paint. Great job by the Kings in their biggest win of the year so far. Next up are the Warriors on Sunday.
Fade aways, 3 pointers, layups..Pete Kathopoulis does it all for his team, and did all he could tonight but Danny’s Boys just couldn’t over come the Kings. Pete scored 43 points and continues to lead the league in scoring but unfortunately 71 points wasn’t enough for the Boys tonight. Tommy Poulos chipped in with 12 points but nobody else scored over 7. This was a very unbalanced scoring attack for Danny’s Boys as they rely on Kathopoulis for the bulk of their points. In my opinion, if the Boys can get some other people more involved offensively, they will be an even better team than they already are. That offensive help will be back by the playoffs, when Kosta Nikolos returns from his foot injury. In the meantime, DB should shift their focus quickly to the Sixers for Sunday. Just another team that’s pulling on DB’s coattail in the race for a first round bye.
Game ball: Bill Zonios.
Did you see?! Lou Sarris Grau of the Kings with a mean fast break dunk in the second half? He threw it down with authority.
Rip City 44 vs. Sixers 42
The best way to get noticed in this league is hitting a game winner. And that’s exactly what Stef Grigorakakis did tonight. Mr. PGBL tells no lies, this game was quiet and at times ugly, but with the game on the line and just seconds left, Stef Grigorakakis made it look pretty with a drive to the basket and left handed layup at the buzzer to win the game! Stef scored 20 points tonight and is officially on my radar in the league MVP race. Rip City turned the ball over and missed plenty of shots, but they hung in there, stuck together, and with 20 seconds left called a very smart timeout to assure they took the last shot. The ball ended up in Stef’s hands and the rest is history. Chris Sarianos, the ultimate role player, scored 10 points tonight including 2 huge 3 pointers that came at a crucial time. Great scrappy win for Rip City.
The Sixers seem to be having some chemistry issues but these veterans know how to handle these things. Communication is key, and I think these guys will fix all their issues in time to make a deep playoff run and go for the repeat. Tonight was just a slow night offensively for the Sixers who were led by Jim Armenakis with 15 points. I’m entitled to my opinion when I write these recaps so I’ll give you my “what they should of done”. The Sixers should have spread every body out and just threw the ball down to Armenakis every single time. Make the other team play your game, don’t play their game, especially when there’s a size advantage. Vas Rousseas and Tony Spirocostas scored 9 each and combined for 5 three pointers. A key piece missing from the Sixers rotation is Jim Voutsinas, who is still out with back issues. Get him back, get on the same page, and get that second ring.
Game ball: Stef Grigorakakis
Revolution 56 vs. FOB 33
Pete Kada had a good game tonight, leading the Rev to victory with 24 points. Kada has been pretty quiet this season thus far, not as explosive offensively. But Kada and the Rev are sitting pretty right now at 8-4 and actually still in the hunt for a first round bye. Did you expect them to have this record? Like I said above, Mr. PGBL tells no lies, I did not expect this.
For FOB George Pantzaris scored a team high 16 points. Boy this guy is a bruiser. He bangs fearlessly in the paint and after missing their last game, George was right back at it. FOB is eliminated from playoff contention but there are other things to play for now. Fun, getting a break from every day life, and most of all… pride.
Game ball: Pete Kada.