No Limit faced an old friend and long time rival Run TMC, and showed us all why they’re deserving of being the new number one team in the rankings. Their depth this season has been crucial, thanks to the additions of Rashawn Hendricks, Ty Sands, Davin Serpinski and Jalen Graham. With the return of last season’s MVP Graham for this game (27 points), and the play of former MVP Tarell Vargas seemingly becoming more efficient, all the attention is on the week 8 showdown with The Brotherhood.
2
(5-1)
The Brotherhood suffered their first loss in league history this week to Team Moose. The loss did come without Russ Payton, who is a two-time champ, Finals MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. With Payton on the floor, the outcome could have been different, but Team Moose’s defense was the difference-maker in the end. Jonathan Robles was shut down this game. Mike Davis (32 points) was the only one who seemed to be able to score when his team needed a bucket. This game has left us all wondering: just how important is Russ Payton to The Brotherhood dynasty?
3
(6-0)
The Monstars continue to dominate weaker competition, this week beating up on Sometimes Y. Greg Langston set the single-game scoring record with 68 points, and showed us just talented this Monstars team is. With a strong bench and lockdown defense in the paint, the Monstars don’t allow any easy buckets. After feeling disrespected in the power rankings the last few weeks, it looks like they will have to continue to show they belong in the top 2 when they take on Sportslook in Week 7.
4
(4-2)
Team Moose was by far the most impressive team this week after handing The Brotherhood their first-ever loss, 78-64. Team Moose boasts arguably the best defense in the league after stifling powerhouse offenses like No Limit, the Flint Tropics and The Brotherhood. On offense it’s their ball movement, unselfishness and execution that shines through every game. They’re only weakness is three-point shooting, and that has not limited them yet this season. Next up features a matchup for some players against their former team.
5
(4-2)
A new face in the top five of this week’s power rankings is Carmine Santorelli, who powered Sensual Chocolate to a big win over Goon Squad. Santorelli’s 41 points on 16-24 shooting was enough to get the job done, and Troy Brunson also stepped up in Week 6 dropping 27 points of his own. Don’t let the 4-2 record fool you, Sensual Chocolate is one of the best teams on the glass and will need that paint presence to show up against Stranger Danger this Monday.
6
(4-2)
A short-handed Flint Tropics team in Week 6 was without their leading scorer, Mike Bozzutto. No Mike, no problem, as the Flint Tropics handled the Double Dribblers, 91-54. The depth of this Flint Tropics team really stands out through six weeks, as their lowest scorer in Week 6 had 16 points. Cody Doubleday almost snatched a triple-double, falling one assist short (17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists). You could argue they are the deepest team in the league outside of No Limit, and when they are at full strength the league they have already shown the type of team they can be.
7
(5-1)
The Throne did their job and took care of business Monday night by beating up on Flight Club by 32 points. The Throne impressed by how they played once their star player, Joe Baccielo, left the game with an ankle injury. Baccielo dropped 30, but Dashawn Moffatt also stepped up, coming three rebounds shy of a triple-double. Moffat has been a consistent contributor for this team. The only question is, who has The Throne played yet? Fry Time is up next before an interesting matchup in Week 8 against the Bad Boyz.
8
(4-2)
Sportslook pulled out an impressively close win against Lob 203, and did it in typical Sportslook fashion. Bryan Acevedo led the way with 27 points, but needs to be more efficient from the field if Sportslook wants to continue to rise in these rankings. The offensive flow as a team was where it needs to be as Lob 203 appeared unable to get stops when they needed them. Sportslook is a team getting hot at the right time, and that could spell trouble for a Monstars team they take on next.
9
(3-3)
Redemption continues to drop down these rankings after back-to-back losses to Goon Squad and Stranger Danger. They are usually a very efficient, smart, fundamentally sound, basketball team, but these past two weeks have been a different story. Turnovers and fouls have been the vice of this Redemption team. In the words of Eminem: “Will the real Scott Cochard please stand up.” If Redemption wants to make a run like last season, they are going to need Corchard’s ability to lead and run the point.
10
(3-3)
Rounding out our top 10 is the Bad Boyz after two-straight wins. Trevonte Blake was the leader on the floor as the Bad Boyz squeaked out a close win over the Untouchabulls. Blake set the tone off the bench for the Bad Boyz with 17 points, and was the spark his team needed. If Blake can keep up his play next to Destin Simmons and Jaylon Eggleston, this Bad Boyz team will be a tough matchup in the playoffs.
11
(3-3)
Stranger Danger finally took a step in the right direction, executing down the stretch en route to a win over Redemption. Steve Echols stepped up and showed he is the leader of this team. Defense was the key, as Stranger Danger stifled the high-powered Redemption offense, usually lead by Scott Cochard who only had 4 points. If Stranger Danger can keep up this trend of strong defense combined with making plays in the fourth quarter, they could string a few wins together.
12
(2-4)
Run TMC finds themselves dropping in the rankings after a tough loss to their rival, No Limit. John Rullan stepped up and showed us all the shooting threat he could be, hitting 6-of-11 from three en route to a team-high 23 points. Will Hudson struggled and wasn’t his usual self in large part to No Limit’s stingy defense. Run TMC takes on one of the best defensive teams in Team Moose next week, and they must bring a similar offensive efficiency into that game if they want to hang around in Week 7.
13
(4-2)
STP did their job by handling Fry Time in what turned out to be a low-scoring battle. STP did what we are accustomed of seeing from them. They played hard defense, turned that defense into easy buckets, made the extra pass, and played smart basketball. STP has now won four in a row, despite not playing any of the top-tier teams. This STP team is lead by Mike Slattery and Mike Zazuri, who are playing some of their best basketball heading into Week 7.
14
(2-4)
Lob 203 is one of the more interesting teams in the league as they are one of the most experienced teams, but also one of the worst from behind the arc. They’re second only to Team Moose for least three-pointers made (21). That number must improve in the final weeks of the season if they want to make a run in the playoffs. Rebounding has also been an issue, and ultimately cost them in Week 6 against a tough Sportslook team.
15
(2-4)
Goon Squad was back to full strength in Week 6, but ran into a red-hot Sensual Chocolate team who was a problem to defend. Matt Marconi and Brandon Massaro combined for 42 points, but Goon Squad needs more consistent help on the offensive end. Goon Squad needs to find reliable bench scorers and fast, or wins will be harder to come by. The road gets no easier as Goon Squad gets ready to take on a Brotherhood team coming off their first ever loss.
16
(2-4)
Flight Club has brought by far the best fan base is Legacy League history to every game this season, but unfortunately it hasn’t helped that much on the court. After a rough 89-57 loss to The Throne, Flight Club is looking for answers. Flight Club posts an interesting matchup for any team who plays them because of their size down low in Alex Demeis, and a good knockdown shooter in Jacob Miller. They can cause problems if they got hot from behind the arc as seen in their two wins.
17
(1-5)
The Untouchables find themselves in the lower part of the rankings because of a lack of a supporting cast around Chris Rosario. That showed in Week 6 in their loss to the Bad Boyz. Every time Rosario comes out of the game the offensively flow leaves the court with him. Getting someone else to pitch in offense will be crucial in Week 7 against a STP team who has shown they can score at will.
18
(0-6)
The Double Dribblers are still looking for that elusive first win, and this was the wrong week to run into an angry Flint Tropics team. The Double Dribblers were without Bernard Brantley in Week 6, who is big part of this team, but their problems as a team lie on the offensive and defensive glass. The Double Dribblers must rebound better if they are ever going to taste victory. They get a feisty Bad Boyz squad up next.
19
(0-6)
Sometimes Y look uninspired going up against the powerhouse that is the Monstars. They gave up 68 points to one player, but Sometimes Y finally sees a game on the schedule that they can compete in. Flight Club is up next in Week 7, and will be a good test for this team who has had a brutal schedule so far. Kevin Connors dropped 25 against the Monstars, and John Lutters added 17. Both will need big games against next week.
20
(0-6)
Fry Time continues to be a team with great height and size down low that doesn’t use it to their advantage. In a 61-35 loss to STP, Kevin Bott did all he could and still was not enough. The three-point shooting needs to improve as well, being one way they can make up the talent difference they continue to face. Fry Time shot only 3-of-10 from three in Week 6, and the attempts need to increase against The Throne this Monday.
(2-4)
