Wolfpack 67 vs. Spartans 47
The Wolfpack improve to 4-1 on the season in a cruise control victory over the struggling Spartans. For the Spartans, Jim Kemmerer and Pete Tsamoutalis scored 10 points each. But offense was hard to come by for the Spartans tonight. George Vlahos and Nicko Balis of the Wolfpack combined for 39 points in this 20 point victory. With a game next week against FOB, the Wolfpack have a chance to 5-1 before facing the strong Sixers.
Kings 60 vs. Warriors 56
After losing 3 straight games for the first time since 2010, the Kings rebound with a victory over the tough Warriors. Foti Giannopoulos led the Kings once again with 20 points. With the addition of defensive power Lou Sarris Grau (15pts), Foti can save a little more energy for the offensive end, where he played well tonight. Sarris Grau has been an anchor on defense and could be the early season defensive player of the year. Offensively, I saw shades of vintage Kings basketball. The triangle offense they run looked excellent at times, especially during a run in which the Kings went up 14. Good job hanging in there and weathering the late game Warriors run.
The Kings controlled this game from the tip, but a late game run put the Warriors ahead by 1 point with just a few minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the Warriors couldn’t hold that lead and drop to 1-4 on the season. I must say though, this is by far the best 1-4 team I’ve ever seen. Today the Warriors were in a position to win the game because of 2 players. 1st, of course Will Galiatsatos, who scored 25 points from the paint. Will showed great footwork in the paint with some nice up and under moves. And would you look at who decided to join the Warrior offense… Nick Karalis. Nick had his best game of the season with 20 points. The Warriors play the Spartans next week which is a big game if they want to climb above the Spartans in the standings.
Game ball: Foti Giannopoulos.
Danny’s Boys 71 vs. Sixers 60
40 on Sunday and 38 tonight, eh no big deal. The leading scorer in the PGBL and early season MVP candidate, Pete Kathopoulis, was at it again tonight. The only other player in double digits tonight was Kosta Nikolos who scored 12 points, on 3 very long three balls early in the game. Danny’s Boys led for most of the game and every time the Sixers made a late game push, Kathopoulis either hit a mid range jumper off a screen or a pull up 3 pointer. Danny’s Boys is now 6-0 in first place and number 1 on my power rankings. They have the leading scorer in the league and the biggest guy in the league. Sky’s the limit for these guys.
The Sixers were missing Jimmy Armenakis who welcomed his 2nd child into the world. But even without Jim, the Sixers competed. They got 29 huge points from Tony Grammenos, who at times put the team on his back offensively. At the point was Alex Lolosides who scored 11 points and showed me what the Sixers all show me on a regular basis. Patience, ball movement and maturity. Veteran teams like the Sixers rely on these qualities to wear down and break down their opponents. Unfortunately without one of the best players in league history in Armenakis, they just couldn’t overcome DB. I’m keeping the Sixers at 2 on my rankings because they competed with number 1 without a full team.
Game ball: Pete Kathopoulis.