TOP 10 POWER RANKINGS AND PREDICTIONS

ACTUAL POWER RANKING ARE IN THE STATS SECTION

The 2022-23 FABL Showtime Senior Boy’s Basketball season has gotten off to a roaring start with 5 games played before the Christmas break.  The RED Division is clearly schooling the BLUE Division in inter league play with a combined 31-19 record to start the season.

Regular season play starts up again on January 3^rd and as these games unfold some interesting matchups will emerge.  First and most importantly, 5 games are enough to publish our first TOP 10 Power Rankings of the season.  These rankings are based on team records and point differentials in wins and losses.  Some outstanding individual performances also tip the scales.

• 1) Hamill: This team boasts a perfect 5-0 record and an average winning margin of 11.20 PPG.  This potent offense features senior Aidan Addison, 28.00 PPG, 800 career points, Austin Shade 8.00 PPG and Ethan Crosby 5.50 PPG.  This team won its first game when Addison only scored 10 points and its second game when Addison didn’t play.  This team is not a one trick pony.  Right now, they are the team to beat.
• 2) Matthews: The pink teams is also undefeated and win by an average 9.60 PPG.  They have yet to field a 10 man team for any game which enhances playing time for seniors Jack Pellicciotti 24.50 PPG and Aidan Heidtman 16.00 PPG.  We will see what happens when divisional play starts and the rest of the boys show up but numbers are numbers and the second position is warranted at this time.
• 3) Davidson: Another 5-0 team with all impressive wins.  There is a difference in this team that makes them the one to watch.  Their balanced offensive attack features Ryan Heibler 13.67, Jonah Platt 10.50, Brayden Gmeiner 8.60, Ben Davidson 6.40 and Ryan McKenna 6.00.  This team can hurt you in so many ways that they can beat any team in the league.  Championship run maybe?  I’m just sayin’.
• 4) Liska: Coach Joe Liska has a long and storied career as coach in FABL Showtime but he has never won a championship in his 8 years coaching at St Stephen’s.  It all could change this year.  The light blue team features 3 players scoring in double figures, Nicholas McGhin 11.20, Colin Perrier 10.60 and freshman sensation Mason Perkins 10.40.  They lead the entire league in point differential at 12.80 even with one tough 3 point loss to Davidson 45-42.   History tells us that there is no greater curse than an undefeated record entering the playoffs.  They got their loss out of the way.  This team will be fun to watch.  4 ranking may be low.
• 5) Pieranunzi: This is a similar story to Liska with the only loss coming in a tight game with Haynes.  Noah Davis leads all teammates with 12.80 and Edwin Blyden adds an impressive 11.20 PPG.  They are complimented by Graham Bergen with 8.40 to create an impressive scoring trio.  Also, it is important to note that they have played with 10 players three time and 9 players two times.  All players on the floor can play and this makes them especially dangerous.
• 6) Lane: After losing their season opener, Lane has ripped off 4 straight wins with high powered offense and balanced play.  Lead by Austin Wadlington 11.25, Tyler Ruch 9.20, Hunter Elrod 9.00, Alexander Jaar 8.80, Hayden Spence 5.80 and Jack Andrews 5.00, they can run with anyone and seemingly score at will.  Lane has a tough matchup this week against defensive minded Hillman that will tell us a lot about the character and potential of this team.
• 7) Hillman: Coach Rich’s formula for success is clutch shooting and tough defense.  This years team is no different.  They are lead by senior Nick Duvall with 15.75 PPG including a breakout 29 points in an impressive win just before the break.  Colin Grimsley 10.00, Mason Plummer 7.40 and Reid Hecox round out this solid offense.  Defense, free throw and layups win championships.  This team does all of the above.  This is a team to watch.
• 8) Hearn: With Senior Colton Rexrode lighting up the scoreboard with an average of 22.80 PPG including 33 and 34 points in 2 of the last three games, this team is sneaky good.  Nate Sweeney 8.00, Logan Cyford 5.75, Everette Hooker 5.4 and Ben Bergamaschi 4.50 make for a well rounded team whose 52.00 points average is the best in the league.  The problem is that they average 47.00 point given up per game on defense.  Learn to play defense and rebound and this team will be tough to outscore.
• 9) Haynes: After opening the season with 2 impressive wins, the teams defensive struggles showed giving up 55 and 73 points in two losing efforts.  Granted Braedon Chubb 10.60, Tyler McLaughlin 9.40, Tim Bennett 7.20, Cooper Santos 5.25 and Matthew Ford 5.00 provide high powered offense but these boys need to play defense, giving up the leagues worst 52.00 PPG, if they expect to have any consistent success.  Come on boys, Move Your Feet!!!!.
• 10) Coelho: With the news of a season ending injury to Senior Casen Ferment and extended layoff due to injury of Josh Dearborn, things were looking bleak for the brown team.  They do have great offensive output from sophomore Dom Damico 14.00 and good support from Sam Clarke 4.00, Aiden McKnight 3.50 and Zack Clarke 3.33, but it did not seem enough to compete until the late year blockbuster acquisition of Gavin Konigsdorffer.  He suddenly makes them competitive again.  While the team awaits the eventual return of Dearborn, the jury is out on this team but the future certainly looks brighter than it did a week ago.
• 11) Hickey
• 12) Kirby
• 13) Driscoll
• 14) Wolfe
• 15) Frey
• 16) Kimmett
• 17) Bufano
• 18) Gallagher
• 19) McCain
• 20) Miller

GAME 6 PREDICTIONS

After producing a pretty good 7-3 record for the first set of predictions, the commissioner has more statistical information and is ready to make more science based predictions starting with Game 6.  Any representation made here is in no way intended to be used for personal gain at the expense of players, coaches or fans.  This is just what I think….

Wolfe (1-4) vs Coelho (2-3):  Wolfe has lost three games by less than 5 points and could easily be 4-1 with a few breaks.  Coelho still needs to find their offensive way averaging 38.25 PPG.  Look for Wolfe to win in a close one.

Hamill (5-0) vs Creamsicles (2-3):  The undefeated Hamill team doesn’t look like they are weakening.  Hamill in a walk.

Haynes (3-2) vs Davidson (5-0):  Haynes can be tough on offense but defense is lacking.  Davidson stays hot and remains undefeated.

Hearn (3-2) vs Miller (0-5):  Millers offense is in need of a spark.  This might be the game against the run and gun Hearn squad.  In the end, the blue team prevails.

Driscoll (2-3) vs Hickey (2-3):  If Hickey holds the camo team under 40, they win.  If not Driscoll wins going away.  I say the Hickey boys finally play defense and win easily.

Gallagher (1-4) vs Bufano (1-4):  Gallagher’s offense is as impressive Bufano’s offense is offensive.  Gold cannot win scoring 33.60 PPG.  Gallagher should win easily.

Liska (4-1) vs Pieranunzi (4-1):  Possible early season preview of the final.  Both teams score and play impressive defense.  This is the Game of the Week.  Pick Liska in a Battle Royal!!!

Lane (4-1) vs Hillman (3-2):  Great defense vs strong offense.  This game will be won on the backboards and at the foul line.  Pick Hillman in a squeaker.

Matthews (5-0) vs Kimmett (1-4):  One game Kimmett puts up 60 and the next they give up 60.  Matthews consistency will pay off but watch out, this could be a trap game for the pink team.  Pick Matthews.

Frey (1-4) vs McCain (0-5):  Both teams are struggling offensively, McCain averaging around 30 points a game and Frey averaging 40 points a game.  At this point, why not just shoot, rebound and play defense and see what gels.  It also helps to make free throws.  Frey will improve their defensive chops and win easily.