Thursday night heated up with a surprise victory by the Warriors over the Kings. The Kings were last years runner ups in the championship game. But as they say “on any given Thursday, anyone can win”. The Warriors reaffirmed that motto last night at Saint Demetrios during the first game of the PGBL.
Warriors 71 vs. Kings 61
The Warriors are a team of pure intensity and heart. No matter who they play, they come out with energy and passion, tonight was no different. Up against what was the number 1 ranked Kings, the Warriors started the game hot and kept the lead for the whole game. Will Galiatsatos was the catalyst and the star for the Warriors tonight, scoring a game high 27 points! Will scored in many different ways including in the paint, three pointers and in transition. What a great game for Will and a very good game for the team’s other star, Nick Karalis who scored 18 points from the point guard position. This is how the Warriors need to play in order to compete with the best.
Never underestimate your opponents! I’m not saying the Kings did, but it sure seemed like it. The Kings were without several players tonight, including point guard Niki Veronis, but they had plenty of firepower to get the job done, they just couldn’t. Pete Kada led the Kings with 16 points followed by Nicko Balis with 15 but one of the main issues was the field goal percentage. The Kings were terrible from the field in what seemed like a sub 20% shooting night. Many of those misses came from shooter Bill Zonios who had a night I’m sure him and the Kings would like to forget. The shooting woes combined with some low quality defense were the 2 culprits behind this loss. Sunday the Kings can rebound against the Spartans.
Mr. PGBL’s Game Ball: Will Galitsatos.
Wolfpack 64 vs. Sixers 61
The Pack are 2-0 after a win over the new look Sixers team. All around good basketball and hustle will always get the job done. George Vlahos, the all time leading point scorer in the PGBL, led the way with 21 points, including some outside 3’s in the 1st half. As if we didn’t know, George Vlahos is an offensive threat every time he steps on the court. Lou Sarris Grau contributed offensively with 13 points, along with his always strong defensive and rebounding performance. The Pack had a lead of 15 points in the 2nd half when the Sixers made a run to cut the lead to 2, but the Wolfpack’s defense held up just long enough to win. It seems like the Wolfpack played a lot more reserved towards the end, thinking they had the game wrapped up. But from watching the 1st game I can tell you, you can never let your guard down in the PGBL!
Jim Armenakis played big tonight and was a huge reason the Sixers were able to come back and almost send the game to overtime! Armenakis went off for 31 points thanks to something he has seemed to add to his offensive arsenal, the 3 pointer. The big man buried 5 three pointers! That’s right folks, the best center in PGBL History now shoots 3 pointers, effectively! Chris Vasiliou had an off shooting night, scoring 13 points, most in the 2nd half. Tough way to lose though, coming all the way back and having a chance to tie it for overtime and walking away empty handed. With Armenakis, the Sixers are one of the best PGBL teams, so we should stay tuned!
Mr. PGBL’s Game Ball: George Vlahos.
Revolution 53 vs. PAS Giannina 27
It’s been a joy watching this group of friends play basketball together for so many years. Win or lose, these guys bring always have a fan base behind the bench, supporting the team and players. The Jersey boys got a win tonight thanks in part to Vasili Nasis who showed us, in spurts, why he was and still is one of the most talented players in the PGBL. If he keeps improving, and the Rev keep winning, he will be one of the MVP candidates at year’s end. Great ball movement by the Rev, working the middle and of course taking advantage of the defensive gaps, showing hustle and speed. Most of all the Rev are a totally unselfish team. Good win after a slow start, the Revolution really turned it on in the 2nd half.
PAS Giannina showed some promise tonight, starting the game hot and leading for most of the 1st half against one of the most experienced teams in the league. Kosta Pavlidis led the team but only scored 12 points. He has the ultimate green light on this team which is probably an amazing feeling, having your team’s confidence in you, but tonight they just weren’t dropping. Pavlidis and the Giannina boys should regroup for the next game. Beating the Wolfpack is going to take some serious strategizing, for any team.
Mr. PGBL’s Game Ball: Vasili Nasis.