Sunday, August 28, 2011

BVBL Finals

For the first time in league history the finals have been delayed by a Hurricane. 


Here are some fun facts and figures to tide you over until the finals.


BOHICA 
Season Record (10-0)
Average Points For:  71.7
Average Points Against: 48.2



BIRDMEN
Season Record (8-2)
Average Points For: 58.1
Average Points Against: 46.9


Game Notes:




Lots Of Hardware: This game features some of the most decorated players in the BVBL Award History. Birdmen's Sam Fanfan holds plenty of hardware as he was voted the league's regular season MVP in 2010, Rookie of the year in 2009, First Team All League in 2010 and 2009, as well as 2nd Team All League in 2011. 


BOHICA's Brian Vayda was the 2009 League Co-MVP, Joey McCann of BOHICA was the league's defensive player of the year in 2011 and the playoff MVP in 2008. The Birdmen's Jay Snow and Brian Collins have also tallied All League choices in the past- while BOHICA boasts Ryan Cain, Justin Aldrich, Mike Balderelli and McCann and Vayda on various All League teams.


Four Year Men. A handful of players in this game have played in all 4 years of the league's existence.  Eve St Cyr, Jeremy Bridge and Brian Collins of the Birdmen have all played 4 years in the league.  While Scott Felper, Anthony Leonelli, Justin Aldrich, Brian Vayda and Joey McCann of BOHICA are 4 year guys as well.


Return To The Finals: BOHICA played in the first 2 league championships, winning both. Last year they were eliminated by D&E Painting in the semifinals


Over The Hump: The Birdmen  (Formerly Known as Banner Bar) have made it to their first league finals, they lost in the quarters last year to D&E Painting, in 2009 they fell to BOHICA in the semi finals (with leading scorer Sam Fanfan missing due to injury)


Impact Rookies: The Birdmen added Niko Bryant this year who has given them great minutes and the point and on defense. BOHICA added high scoring guard Ryan Cain, point man Keenan Burke-Pitts and post presence Sam Herrick in their retooling this year.




What to watch for:
The Birdmen have been closing close games all year- BOHICA has not played many close games- if it's close, give the edge to the Birdmen.






Monday, August 8, 2011

Playoff Results/Schedule:

8/21


BOHICA 64, Worcester West 34


In a much anticipated matchup of the only champions the league has ever known. BOHICA started hot and opened up a gap that would never close on their way back to the finals. Joey McCann who is usually content to be a 3rd or 4th option for BOHCIA paced the offense with 17 points (mostly on sweeping takes to the basket) while Mike Balderelli added 14, Ryan Cain 13, Justin Aldrich 11, and Brian Vayda 9.  Worcester West was paced by League MVP Dave Doulette with 14 points and Joe LaRoche with 10. BOHICA was lead defensively by Brian Vayda and Ryan Cain and held the high flying Worcester West attack to 34 points. Worcester West finishes their season at 8-2 and are one of the top organizations in the league. BOHICA improves to 10-0 and will advance to Sunday's finals.


Scoring:


BOHICA: McCann 17, Balderelli 14, Cain 13, Aldrich 11, Vayda 9, Leonelli 1, Felper 0,


Worcester West: Doulette 14, J. Laroche 10, Johnson 8, Consolmango 2, D. Laroche 0, Gareau 0, Zalneritis 0, Foley 0, 


Birdmen 48, D&E Painting 45


D&E painting (playing without leading scorer Max Masucci) took a 4 point lead into the half and held an 8 point lead under 3 minutes and looked like they were headed back to the finals. However, the Birdmen utilized a full court press and the hot shooting of Mike Geoffroy to advance to their first league finals. D&E Painting were lead by the shooting of Cory Brunner with 15 points, and the crafty scoring of Will Jonnasen with 12 points on crafty takes. Dave Farrer also kicked in 12 points. The Birdmen were lead by Jay Snow with 13 and Sam Fanfan with 9 points early. Facing an 8 point deficit under 3 minutes they were able to generate a number of steals by Fanfan and Eve St Cyr. Geoffroy turned 3 of these steals into 3s and a Jay Snow leaner tied the game with a minute to go. After a some free throws gave Birdmen a 3 point lead, D&E got a look at a 3 from the corner for the tie at the buzzer but it found back rim- sending the Birdmen to the finals. D&E Painting is truly one of the class organizations in the league history and end the season 8-2, Birdmen are also 8-2 and will play for the championship on sunday.


Scoring:


Birdmen: Snow 13, Geoffroy 11, Fanfan 9, Bryant 6, Milanese 4, Bridge 4, Dietel 1, St Cyr 0,


D&E Painting: Brunner 15, D. Farrer 12, Jonnasen 12, C Farrer 5, Atherton 2, Adams 0


Players of the week:


Mike Geoffroy Birdmen, All 11 of his points were the second half- none bigger than his 3's down the stretch to launch the Birdmen into the playoffs.


Joey McCann BOHICA, 17 points in a semifinal victory and as usual accepted the role of defensive stopper. 






8/14


D&E Painting 50, Sweet Sassy Molassy 40


There are a few inalienable truths in the BVBL 1. it will rain at inopportune times 2. when playing outdoors the bugs will be the size of small aircraft 3. Do not count out Jack Mahoney in the playoffs. Mahoney willed his 11th seeded Sweet Sassy Molassy team into the thick of the game yesterday with his 17 points. They started the game with an 8-0 run but D&E showed why they are among the league's elite with a 20-2 run to take a 20-10 lead, mostly behind the scoring of Max Masucci. The score at the half would be 33-20 D&E with Max Masucci posting 21 first half points. In the second Sweet Sassy had a 7-0 run to pull within 4 with 11 minutes to go. In addition to Steve Dellarovere and Pat Makridakis holding Masucci only 8 second half points,  Mahoney, Andrew Horan (9 points) and Kevin Van Slette had key baskets in this stretch, D&E closed it out however behind Brunner and Ernie Adams (8 points) D&E closed it out and advanced to the semi finals for the second straight year.


Scoring: 


D&E:  Masucci 29, Adams 8, Brunner 7, C. Farrer 3, D Farrer 2, Atherton 1


SSM: J. Mahoney 17, Horan 9, M. Mahoney 5, Van Slette 4, Makridakis 3, Bertram 2, 


Worcester West 61, Blazers 52


A great game by 2 class franchises. The early hot shoot of Jay McKinney (16 points) but the Blazers in the drivers seat- as did the assertive play of John Young (8 points) and the game was 29-22 Blazers at the half.  It was a game of 2 halves however as Worcester West tightened up the D and used their versatile frontcount attack to take control in the second. League MVP Dave Doulette had 14 in a quiet night for him- but Derek Johnson added 13, Joe Laroche 18 and Dan Laroche 11 to help Worcester West pull away. The Blazers however would not go quietly into the night. TJ Dolliver who usually is content to play the role of defensive specialist scored 18 points almost all in the second half and almost all from 3 to keep the Blazers in the game. Down the stretch Worcester West made free throws and pulled it out- but it was a hard fought and intense game. The defending champs are through to the semis, while Blazers end a very successful season.


Scoring:


WW:  J. Laroche 18, Doulette 14, Johnson 13, D. Laroche 11, Zalneritis 3, Consolmango 2, 


BLZ: Dolliver 18, McKinney 16, Young 8, Saster 5, Valiere 3, Howe 2, 


BOHICA 83, Aggro Crags 58


In game that was a matchup of 2 of the league's best rookies and gaurds. Ryan Cain and Brennan Bennett squared off in an anticipated matchup. Although it was Bennett who lead the league in scoring and took home the ROY crown- it was Cain who got the better of the matchup today posting 29 points to Bennett's 11. Aggro held tough early on behind the shooting of Mike Perrault (12 points) and an inside hook by Greg Walker midway through the second half tied the game at 19. After that however BOHICA flipped the switch. Cain doing much of the scoring but also Brian Vayda (16 points) showing why he is one of the league's most versatile bigmen and Joey McCann (13 points) finishing in transition. In the second half the Crags were paced by the play of Tyler Bennett who dropped in 19 mostly from downtown. BOHICA is on to the semis and a much anticipated game with Worcester West (the only 2 teams to ever win a BVBL crown)- while Aggro Crags had a tremendous run for an expansion team and a good group of guys. 


Scoring: 


BOHICA: Cain 29, Vayda 16, McCann 13, Aldrich 12, Bajema 8, Leonelli 3


Aggro: T. Bennett 19, Perrault 12, B Bennett 11, Z. Polucha 6, Walker 4, Kupcinskas 3, N. Polucha 2, 


Birdmen 69, Flying Rhino 57


Never sleep on the Birdmen indoors. In a hard fought game with a few number of runs- Birdmen took command early in the second half and ground out a big quarterfinals victory over 2 seed Flying Rhino. Flying Rhino featured a balanced backcourt attack of Eddie Capstick (12), Rock Tarwoe (10) and John Genkos (11) and got a significant lift from Alex Celluci (7 points)- but overall there was too much Birdmen tonight. Sam Fanfan based the victors with 20, but he was helped by 15 from Jay Snow, 14 from Nikko Bryant and a big 9 from Jeremy Bridge. Mike Geoffrey also tossed in 8. The Birdmen advance to the semis where they will tangle with D&E Painting who knocked them out of the playoffs last year- while Flying Rhino's transformation from a middle of the pack team named Agent Zero to a top level team named Flying Rhino has been impressive. 


Scoring:

Birdmen: Fanfan 20, Snow 15, Bryant 14, Bridge 9, Geoffrey 8, St Cyr 3



FR: Capstick 12, Genkos 11, Tarwoe 10, Celluci 7, Palmerino 6, Punch 4, Turbide 2, 


Players of the Week:


Jay Snow Birdmen, You know Fanfan is going to get his, but they needed a boost from somewhere else and got it from Jay Snow


Ryan Cain BOHICA, Aggro had absolutely no answer for Cain's long range 3's and slashing drives. 






8/7


Birdmen (7) 78, FBGM (10) 55


In the first game of the day The Birdmen continued their successful play of late and started the trend of a lot of offense in the first round of the playoffs (being inside always helps). Sam Fanfan lead the way for The Birdmen with 31 points while Nikki Bryant's hot outside shooting (19 points) helped the Birdmen pull away. It was a 5 poing game at halftime, but in the second half The Birdmen outscored FBGM 46-28. Jon Snediker lead the way in defeat for FBGM with 19 points while Luke Brownell chipped in 15. FBGM concludes a solid first season in the BVBL while the Birdmen advance to the quarters. 


Flying Rhino (2) 66, Woolies (15) 44


Despite 21 points from Mike O'Leary (who was shirtless for some reason for much of the game) the Woolies could not stay in the game as the hot shooting of John Genkos (22 points) and the steady play of Eddie Capstick (11 points) lead Flying Rhino to the victory. Ryan Turbide provided some inside scoring while Rock Tarwoe controlled the tempo as Flying Rhino extended an 8 point half time lead. Flying Rhino will advance to the quarters, while the Woolies will no doubt be back next year reloaded and ready for a run!


Aggro Craggs (8) 53, 508 Athletics (9) 38


The Aggro Craggs continued their stellar first season with a playoff victory over a depleted 508 Athletics team. League rookie of the year Brennan Bennett paced Aggro with 20 points while Greg Walker and Mike Perrault both chipped in 10. 508 struggled to get an offensive foothold all day while Andrew Calzone (7 points) got into the lane and played some defense.  Aggro Craggs will advance to Sunday's quarterfinals in their first year of existence. 


D&E Painting (3) 63, Blood Sweat and Beers (14) 43


A rematch of last week with similar results. Mike Keefe lead the way for Blood Sweat and Beers with 14 points while Anil Narwani chipped in 10 of his own. D&E were lead by the outside shooting of Cory Brunner (20 points) and the off the dribble attack of forgotten man Will Jonnasen (18 points). Dave Farrer also added 10 in the victory. D&E will advance to the quarter finals, while Blood Sweat and Beers will hopefully return next year.


Ham Sandies (16) 91, Grizzles (17) 47


Dan Bessa (25 points) and Chris Refarth (15 points) lead the Ham Sandies to the playin game victory over the Grizzlies. Drew Dunn scored 18 in the loss for the Grizzlies. The Sandies picked up their second victory of the year- despite this a few of their players declined to play in their second game of the night only an hour later, and as such the players who did not return will no longer be a part of this league in the future.


Worcester West (5) 60, Rusty Aries (12) 39


In a game that was a 4 point game with 10 minutes to go, the defending champs turned it on down the stretch to the tune of a 22-2 run that cemented the victory. League MVP Dave Doulette had 14, while Derek Johnson added 15 for Worcester West. Rusty Aries were lead by the shooting of Brian Whitten with 11 points. Dan Tessier also added 9 in defeat. Worcester West is on to the quarterfinals, Rusty Aries will retool and return next year.


BOHICA (1) 109, Ham Sandies (16) 69


Large respect to the Ham Sandies players who actually showed up for their second game. Dan Bessa had 35 points in the loss. Justin McCann also tossed in 16 points. For BOHICA Ryan Cain scored 30 points while Mitch Bajema added 20 (6 threes), Joey McCann had 18 points, while Sam Herrick chucked in 11 and Kennan Burke-Pitts 13. Anthony Leonelli had 11 in the victory as well. BOHICA is on to the quarterfinals. 


Blazers 65 (4), Chargers (13) 56


Doug Roberge's 22 points tried to keep the Chargers in the game as did Cody Fournier's 16 points, but The Blazers had too much firepower in the 9 PM game. Rob Elliot had 17 points and Jay McKinny had 14. John Young added 15 in his victory. The Blazers took a 2 point halftime lead and extended in the second half. They will advance to next week's quarterfinals, while the Chargers first season comes to a close.


Players of the Week


Sam Fafan Birdmen, 31 points in their playoff victory


John Genkos Flying Rhino, scored 22 points in a tight playoff victory. 


8/21 Semi Finals


7 PM (1) BOHICA vs (4) Worcester West
8 PM (3) D&E Painting vs (7) Birdmen



Monday, August 1, 2011

2011 Awards

Since it's inception in 2008 the BVBL has been giving awards out at the end of the year. Although the awards exist only in Cyberspace they are still selected by the league board (who see pretty much every game) with the input of the other captains and officials. While it may be silly to get fired up about winning an award in a men's basketball league- it's also not silly at all.


Regular Season MVP: Dave Doulette, Worcester West
Rookie of the Year: Brennan Bennett, Aggro Craggs
Defensive Player of the Year: Joey McCann, BOHICA
Playoffs MVP:   Nikko Bryant, Birdmen
Finals MVP:  Nikko Bryant, Birdmen 
Scoring Leader: Brennan Bennett, Aggro Craggs   



Captain of the Year (Organization etc): Cory Brunner, D&E Painting
Citizen of the Year (The Kyle Dean Award): Zach Valliere, Blazers


First Team All League
Dave Doulette, Worcester West
Eddie Capstick Flying Rhino
Brennan Bennett Aggro Crags
Max Masucci D&E Painting
Bennett Knowlton Team Ramrod

Second Team All League

Ryan Cain BOHICA
Zach Valliere Blazers
Andrew Groth Rusty Aries
Rob Elliot Blazers
Sam Fanfan Birdmen


Third Team All League
John Henault 508 Athletics
Corey Gomes Rusty Aries
John Genkos Flying Rhino
Joe Laroche Worcester West
Mike Balderelli BOHICA


Fourth Team All League
Doug Roberge Chargers
Jack Mahoney Sweet Sassy Molassy
Dan Main Ham Sandies
Jay Snow Birdmen
Tyler Frasca 508 Athletics


All Rookie First Team
Brennan Bennett Aggro Crags
Bennett Knowlton Team Ramrod
Ryan Cain BOHICA
Corey Gomes Rusty Aries
John Henault 508 Athletics

All Rookie Second Team

Luke Brownell FBGM
Rock Tarwoe Flying Rhino
Kevin Smith Blood Sweat and Beers
Matt Kneece 508 Athletics
Decarlo Anderson FBGM


All Defensive Team
Joey McCann BOHICA
Kevin Salvaggio 508 Athletics
Zach Valliere Blazers
Rock Tarwoe Flying Rhino
Andy Groth Rusty Aries


All Defensive Second Team
Matt Kneece 508 Athletics
Asher Plange Team Ramrod
Niko Bryant Birdmen
TJ Dolliver Blazers
Andrew Cazlone 508 Athletics