By Jared Cinotti
The Low Post Podcast: Josh Turano and Tyler Krusz break down the most recent week in the Rhode Island Legacy Leagues, and are joined by Boom-Shakalaka’s Marc Belleville!
-WEEK 5 MAKE-UP GAMES-
Wednesday, April 4
8:30PM: WEREWOLVES (3-3) VS HALFWAY CROOKS (1-5)
Looking ahead to Week 5, Werewolves will be matched up against Halfway Crooks and both teams will be hungry for a win after both are coming off tough losses in Week 8. Neck-and-neck in scoring efficiency up to this point in the season, this should turn out to be a very good game with both teams trying to do everything they can to move up in the standings before the regular season comes to an end.
Brian Heston will need to get some help from the rest of his team if they want to get out of this slump they have put themselves in losing their last two games. It is going to have to be a full team effort from the Halfway Crooks if they want to come out with a victory in this one against the Werewolves. Halfway Crooks will have to bring their A-game and shoot much better than they have in recent weeks if they want to secure their second win of the season.
Players to Watch: Brain Heston (Werewolves), Dylan Lincoln (Halfway Crooks)
- Heston: He is clearly their go-to guy when they need a basket any time down the floor. He never seems to have a bad night as he is averaging 23.2 points per game and an astounding 11.5 rebounds a game. Without him showing up the way he has, it will be a tough night for the Werewolves.
- Lincoln: As of late in recent weeks, he has been on fire now averaging 14.5 points per game along with eight rebounds per game, helping his team secure their first win. If they want to come out with a victory this week Lincoln will need to play to the level he has been.
Potential Breakout Players: Jared Gansert (Werewolves), Tom Ferranti (Halfway Crooks)
- Gansert: Scoring 11 points in this previous week of games, Gansert gave Heston some assistance hitting three threes and also grabbing six rebounds. They will need him to consistently produce more on offense like this if they want to finish the season strong.
- Ferranti: Averaging nine points per game while also averaging 5.3 rebounds per game, he has the chance to have a big game if he owns the paint and if his teammates are able to feed him in the post.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Werewolves
- Greg – Werewolves
- Tyler – Werewolves
9:30PM: GREEN SQUAD (5-1) VS BOOM-SHAKALAKA (5-1)
Still at the top of the power rankings, Boom-Shakalaka have been on a roll in recent weeks winning their last two since losing to Green Squad in Week 4. Now with Week 5 coming up they get a second chance at Green Squad before the playoffs start and this should turn out to be one of the better games of the regular season. Green Squad will also be coming in with some strong momentum especially after last week when they conquered the Halfway Crooks.
Green Squad having the most efficient offense in the league to this point in the season will want to use that to their advantage if they want to win this game against a tough defense. Boom-Shakalaka, if they are able to have a full squad, will definitely have to show out if they want to stop the scorching shooters on Green Squad’s lineup or else it will be a long night for them.
Players to Watch: Cody Crawford (Green Squad), Brandon Sweeney (Boom-Shakalaka)
- Crawford: He had arguably the best performance of the season last week as he put up 54 points while also hitting 11 shots from behind the arc on 17 totals threes, showing some amazing range. If he plays even half as good as he did from the previous week in this week’s game, with some assistance from the rest of his team, they should come out with the win against Boom-Shakalaka.
- Sweeney: Sweeney has dominated the paint week after week now and it does not seem like he will be stopped any time soon. Coming off another good performance having 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds along the way, if he is able to play like this against Green Squad it will be a rough night for them down low.
Potential Breakout Players: Nick Keeling (Green Squad), Marc Belleville (Boom-Shakalaka)
- Keeling: Keeling is coming off a solid performance in Week 8 after scoring 13 points on 75 percent shooting from the field, he has proven reliable with his efficient shooting and he if he can get a few more touches and some more shots from beyond the arc he’ll have a significant impact for them.
- Belleville: Having a good impact in their win over the Swish Kabobs, Belleville scored 12 points while also hitting two threes, if he is able to put some more shots up next game from deep range it will be tough for Green Squad to stop him.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Green Squad
- Greg – Green Squad
- Tyler – Green Squad
9:30PM: AVERAGE JOES (0-6) VS PRESTIGE WORLDWIDE (5-1)
Prestige Worldwide were able to secure yet another victory in their game this past week when they beat the Werewolves and have been on a roll for the past few weeks now. Unfortunately it is not the same case for the Average Joes as they lost yet again but only this time to the Wild Hogs and just could not seem to get anything going to get that first win in the end.
Both teams will be eager for a win coming into this game. More the Average Joes than Prestige Worldwide as the Joes will want to finish the season with good momentum with the playoffs not too far away. Prestige Worldwide having the fourth most efficient offense in the league compared to the Average Joes who are second to last, the Average Joes will have to be more consistent on the offensive end if they want any chance at a victory.
Players to Watch: Matt Scavitti (Average Joes), Bryan Yarce (Prestige Worldwide)
- Scavitti: He seems to be the only one on the team, especially in recent weeks, that is really efficient with his scoring and if he is left open or starts to catch fire in the game, it will be hard to stop for Prestige Worldwide.
- Yarce: Yarce is arguably the best scorer in the league scoring 31 points in their most recent win while also shooting just about 57 percent from the field. Those are scary numbers. Average Joes will want to bring their best defense if they want any chance at stopping Yarce.
Potential Breakout Players: Steven Villucci (Average Joes), Zachary Fraiellie (Prestige Worldwide)
- Villucci: Even though he only scored five points in their most recent match up he showed sparks of life in his offensive ability and if he is able to get it going to help out Scavitti they will be able to come out with the win.
- Fraielle: Having one of his best games of the season last week he was the second highest scorer on the team putting up 16 points to go along with Yarce’s dominant performance. If he is able to play to this level again with the combination of Yarce on offense their back court will be unstoppable.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Prestige Worldwide
- Greg – Prestige Worldwide
- Tyler – Prestige Worldwide
10:30PM: SWISH KABOBS (4-2) VS WILD HOGS (1-5)
Wild Hogs will be pitted against the Swish Kabobs in Week 5 as they are coming off their first win of the season so they will be coming into this game determined to get another win. Swish Kabobs on the other hand have had a rough couple of weeks losing their second straight game of the season which is unlike them but granted they did lose to a tough opponent in Boom-Shakalaka. Swish Kabobs will have to turn around their play as the playoffs will be coming up really soon with only two regular season games left.
Swish Kabobs have the third most efficient offense in the league to this point whereas the Wild Hogs happen to be last in that category which should be an advantage to the Swish Kabobs if their whole team shows up and play how they should. Wild Hogs will have to strap up best they can to stop their scoring if they want to have any chance in this game.
Players to Watch: Kyle Valenzuala (Swish Kabobs), Joey Coro (Wild Hogs)
- Valenzuala: Having his best game of the season in their most recent game he was able to score 20 points while also hitting eight of those points from the free throw line showing his ability to get to the hole with ease. If he stays aggressive and keeps taking it to the rack in their next game he should have a field day against the Wild Hogs defense.
- Coro: Joey Coro is one of the top big men in this league and last week he proved it once again as he put up another double-double getting 12 points and 13 rebounds. With Coro’s ability to control the paint and get what he wants it will be tough for the Swish Kabobs to stop that from happening if they cannot find a solution.
Potential Breakout Players: Lane Ukura (Swish Kabobs), Mike Bandieri (Wild Hogs)
- Ukura: Averaging 11.3 points per game this season he has proven he can score the ball along with hit the occasional three when he can and with his height and length that is a dangerous combination. If the Hogs let this man get hot from the floor it will be a tough night for them on defense.
- Bandieri: He is coming off of one of his best games of the season in their first win as he scored 15 points to lead his team for the game. If he is able to take this momentum into the next game it should be the same outcome for his performance.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Swish Kabobs
- Greg – Swish Kabobs
- Tyler – Swish Kabobs
-WEEK 7 MAKE-UP GAMES-
Thursday, April 5
8:30PM: WILD HOGS (1-5) VS HALFWAY CROOKS (1-5)
Wild Hogs and Halfway Crooks will both be looking for any sort of positive momentum they can with the playoffs only one week away and them both being towards the bottom of the standings at this point. Wild Hogs will have to get some better chemistry on offense as they are the worst efficient scoring team in the league. Halfway Crooks will have to exploit this if they want to come out with the win.
Joey Coro has been the best player by far for the Wild Hogs to this point but he will need some help from the rest of the team if they want to make any impact before the postseason. This is a very even match up as both teams struggle offensively but know how to defend their opponents so this should become a defensive battle for both sides in this game.
Players to Watch: Joey Coro (Wild Hogs), Jared Hanson (Halfway Crooks)
- Coro: Coro has proven to be the leader of this team as he dominates the inside game after game while also throwing down some thunderous jams as well. Halfway Crooks better be able to contain him down low or he is due for a big night against them.
- Hanson: He is their leading scorer at 16 points per game and has proven that he is not afraid to take it to the whole while also being able to stroke it from deep. Wild Hogs will need to strap up his offensive ability if they want any chance in this game.
Potential Breakout Players: Brian Doyle (Wild Hogs), Justin Kolenda (Halfway Crooks)
- Doyle: Through only two appearances so far this season he is averaging 11.5 points per game while also hitting a total of seven threes in those games. If he is able to get it going from long range while Coro controls the inside they will surely beat Halfway Crooks.
- Kolenda: Averaging 12 points and just about eight rebounds a game he has shown he can make an impact on the floor but just needs to get more open looks and he will surely have a breakout performance for them.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Wild Hogs
- Greg – Wild Hogs
- Tyler – Halfway Crooks
9:30PM: BOOM-SHAKALAKA (5-1) VS PRESTIGE WORLDWIDE (5-1)
This will surely turn into a great match up as these two powerhouse teams go head to head in what should be the best game of Week 7. Boom-Shakalaka and Prestige Worldwide both being in the top four in scoring as a
unit it should turn into a very high scoring game with fast paced offense as both teams try to finish out the season the best they can. Bryan Yarce will need help from the rest of his team if they want any chance in taking down Brandon Sweeney and company as they have just been on a roll as of late winning game after game.
Boom-Shakalaka will definitely want to have a full squad though this week as Prestige Worldwide has proven they are a very solid defensive team and will not back down from anyone that they face. It will have to be full team effort from both sides if either team really wants to secure a victory in this highly anticipated match up.
Players to Watch: Matt Camara (Boom-Shakalaka), Bryan Yarce (Prestige Worldwide)
- Camara: Having arguably his best game of the season last week, Camara was scorching all game from the field and hit a total of five threes while only taking nine. If he is able to get his stroke going from deep again Prestige Worldwide will have a tough night defensively.
- Yarce: Leading the league in points per game at 28.6 it is clear that he is a lethal scorer from anywhere on the floor and if Boom-Shakalaka wants any chance at winning they will have to shut him down.
Potential Breakout Players: Lucas Martin (Boom-Shakalaka), Ryan Bosquet (Prestige Worldwide)
- Martin: He has shown that he is a sniper from beyond the arc and he showed that again last week as he hit four threes. Prestige Worldwide will want to guard the arc best they can to not let him get any open looks because he will surely sink them.
- Bosquet: Ryan Bosquet can score the ball and plays on-ball defense and if he is able to get some more shots up in this week’s match up he should be due for a big game.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Boom-Shakalaka
- Greg – Boom-Shakalaka
- Tyler – Boom-Shakalaka
9:30PM: AVERAGE JOES (0-6) VS GREEN SQUAD (5-1)
Unfortunately with how the Average Joes have been struggling to find that first win, this week it will not come any easier as they are facing the top offensive team in the league in the Green Squad. Green Squad have been dominating their opponents ever since their tough loss to the Swish Kabobs a few weeks ago. Green Squad will want this momentum to continue as the playoffs are very close and they are fighting for that top seed.
Average Joes will have to piece together a better offensive performance than they have in recent weeks if they want to have any fight in this game against a red hot Green Squad. It will have to be a complete team effort for the Average Joes if they want to beat Green Squad, without that they will continue to struggle as they have been all season.
Players to Watch: Matt Scavitti (Average Joes), Victor Kashouh Jr (Green Squad)
- Scavitti: As of late it seems he is the only one on the team that can put the ball in the basket at a consistent rate and is not afraid to take it to the rack no matter who is inside the paint. Green Squad will have to lock him up if they want to secure this victory against Average Joes.
- Kashouh Jr: Nearly getting his second triple-double of the season last week, Victor Kashouh Jr has shown that he is the best play maker and facilitator on the team and without him they would not be where they are in the standings. Average Joes will have to stop him from controlling the game if they want to come out on top.
Potential Breakout Players: Steve Pirri (Average Joes), Greg Holt (Green Squad)
- Pirri: He is their second leading scorer for the season behind Scavitti and if they want any chance at winning the game they will have to get him open looks in the paint and around the free throw area as he is not the best outside shooter.
- Holt: Third on the team in scoring, Holt is due for another big game as he had a bit of a tough outing in their last game. If he is able to get it going again while alongside Crawford and Kashouh it will be smooth sailing for them all game.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Green Squad
- Greg – Green Squad
- Tyler – Green Squad
10:30PM: WEREWOLVES (3-3) VS SWISH KABOBS (4-2)
Both the Swish Kabobs and Werewolves will be on the hunt for a win as they are both coming off tough loses to good opponents where they just could not come out on top in the end. Swish Kabobs being the third most efficient scoring team in the league coming into this game will want to use that to their advantage as the Werewolves play really pesky and lock down defense.
Swish Kabobs need to get their chemistry back as they have now lost their last two after winning their first four. They have hit a slump clearly but they still have enough time to fight for one of the top seeds before the season comes to an end. Werewolves will not go down without a fight though as they have proven they are a team that likes to hang around and never go away no matter how tough their opponent is
Players to Watch: Gino Forte (Werewolves), Kyle Vieria (Swish Kabobs)
- Forte: Forte is their go-to play maker on the team and without him they would have no one to facilitate on the offensive side of the ball. If Swish Kabobs let him become the floor general that he can be it will be a rough night for them in this match up.
- Vieria: He has shown in their past few games that he is a relentless scorer and is able to drive to the hole at will. With the combination of him Valenzuela and Barbosa in the back court it should be easy cruising for them against the Werewolves.
Potential Breakout Players: Conor Harrington (Werewolves), Tyler Barbosa (Swish Kabobs)
- Harrington: Being that he is their big man that is on the floor at most times throughout their games it will be very key for him to have an impact in this game. If he is aggressive and controls the glass while also getting looks from his teammates he should be due for a very solid performance.
- Barbosa: After a tough game last week, he will be back hungry and determined to have a better performance. Werewolves better not let this man start feeling it from beyond the arc because he will light it up from out there if given the opportunity.
Legacy League Picks:
- Jared – Swish Kabobs
- Greg – Swish Kabobs
- Tyler – Swish Kabobs
