Week Nine Player Reports

 

Mark Koll: As we gear up for the stretch run, Dark Blue is still a mystery.  Due mostly to coincidence (or fear), their opponents have consistently shown up short-handed.  In Week Nine, Team Grey couldn't even field five players.  Dark Blue's record stands at 5-2, but it's hard to say how accurate of an indicator that record is.  Dark Blue clearly has the ability to contend for a title, but slumming through a bunch of blowouts isn't an ideal way to prepare for a playoff run.  However, locking down a coveted first-round BYE is worthwhile, regardless of the means by which you secured it. The downside, of course, is that Mark's numbers will continue to fall if the competition does not come prepared.  A superstar's numbers are only inflated by close games.  In blowouts, the subs typically take all the shots.  And Mark has never been a sub his entire life.

 

            What's Next: Dark Blue will get a rematch of their Week One loss to Light Blue.

 

Mark Koll 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

25.43

11.57

3.00

0.57

64.62%

 

 

Matt Koll: Holy Toledo!  One of the great things about HatchetBall is that it remains consistently unpredictable.  After 4 seasons of absolute dogshit offense, Matt Koll burst forth in Week Nine with BY FAR his most impressive scoring display on record.  He demolished his career best 21 points with a staggering 33 big time points.  He set a personal record with 9 three pointers and threw in 16 rebounds just for good measure.  Wow.  Even better, Matt led Light Green to a critical win against Light Blue.  Matt Koll and Jerry will be a contender in the playoffs, so they have to make sure they take care of business against the lower-tier teams.

 

            What's Next: Matt and Jerry get a chance to make a statement against First Place Team Orange, a team they beat in Week One.

 

Matt Koll 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

12.29

12.00

2.71

3.00

43.75%

 

 

Matt Vitaliano: Matt V has quietly turned himself into an actual basketball player it would appear. Granted, all he does is shoot threes, but don't underestimate the basketball IQ it takes to score points (regardless of how you score them).  Learning things like reading the defense, moving into the passer's vision line, and prepping yourself for a shot...these all factor into every single shot attempt.  I don't think Matt V has become a better shooter; I think he's become a better basketball player, and the results have followed.  He's still a one-trick pony, scoring 25 points on 7 three balls, but it's clear he's added some other dimensions to his game that have definitely boosted his production.  It seems impossible, but Matt V is now a threat you have to take into account.  And he's been a big part of Orange's current win streak.

 

            What's Next: Orange will get a chance for revenge in Week Ten against Light Green.

 

Matt Vitaliano 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

12.86

4.14

0.71

0.43

NA

 

 

Rob Knapczyk: Rob continues to play at a high clip and has led Team Orange to a four game win streak.  It's clear by now that Team Orange can play well together when things are going good for them.  The question is how Rob will respond when things are quite so peachy keen.  Week Ten should be an interesting matchup for exactly that reason.  Light Green has several capable defenders who should make things tough on Orange and will surely focus on limiting Rob's opportunities.  Will Orange stick to the plan, or will all hell break loose?

 

            What's Next: Orange Vs. Light Green in Week Ten in a premier matchup.

 

Rob Knapczyk 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

27.29

12.71

4.00

0.14

85.37%

 

 

Luke A: Idle in Week Nine.

 

            What's Next: Luke will be off in Week Ten as well, as Team Red takes on Dark Green.

 

Luke A. 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

13.40

10.40

3.80

2.20

57.89%

 

 

Jerry Hahn: Not to be outdone by Matt Koll's majestic performance, Jerry fought through and got his first career triple-double after a handful of near misses.  Jerry finished with 17 points, 15 boards, and 12 assists.  Light Green figures to be tough to overcome if Matt Koll and Jerry play like this on the same night.  However, this game was likely more of an exception than the rule.  Plus, they were playing last-place Light Blue.  Only time will tell if this game was an indication that Light Green has turned things around.

 

            What's Next: Jerry will be looking for a quadruple-double against the hated triumvirate of Rob, Matt V, and Steve in Week Ten.

 

Jerry Hahn 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

13.33

11.83

7.17

0.83

59.26%

 

 

Dave Troy: Troy did most of his damage in Week Nine during an incredible three-play sequence where he nailed three long balls in a row.  Outbursts like this are what make Troy such a valuable piece.  Few other HatchetBallers have the ability to catch fire like that.  Troy had a similar scoring spree in his only championship appearance, which led to a title.  Scoring will always be king.  Luke will always be a queen.

 

            What's Next: Troy and company look to improve to 6-2 against Light Blue in Week Ten.

 

Dave Troy 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

10.57

5.29

3.00

0.43

75.00%

 

 

 

Mike Steigerwald: Idle in Week Nine.

 

            What's Next: Mike will have to go it alone in Week Ten against Dark Green.  Good luck.

 

Mike Steigerwald 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

29.40

9.60

3.40

0.40

90.91%

 

 

Steve Dudek: It's starting to look like Steve fell on to the right roster for his rookie HatchetBall season.  He's not really a first option type of scorer, but he can use his energy and athleticism to help in a bunch of areas.  Week Nine was a perfect example of that.  He chipped in 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists...big time numbers no matter what team he plays for.  His contributions are critical to allowing Rob and Matt V put up the big point totals they've had over the past few weeks.  But mostly importantly, Steve's contributions have led to wins.

 

            What's Next: Steve will need to be at his best in Week Ten against Light Green.

 

Steve Dudek 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

13.20

7.20

3.20

0.40

66.67%

 

 

 

Mike Davis: This team is headed nowhere fast.  It didn't help that their top scorer showed up three sheets to the wind, but Light Blue likely would have lost this game anyway due to the impressive performances by Matt Koll and Jerry.  Mike did his usual work, finishing with 10 points and 15 boards, but it wasn't enough and Light Blue fell to 2-5 on the year.  Are they going to miss the playoffs altogether?

 

            What's Next: Light Blue will play one of the teams they actually beat this season in Week Ten.  Reason for optimism?

 

Mike Davis 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

13.00

17.57

4.86

2.00

58.82%

 

 

 

Paul Hobe: Idle in Week Nine.

 

            What's Next: Dark Green gets a solid opportunity in Week Ten, playing Team Red without their little Green fire-starter.

 

Paul Hobe 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

5.40

7.00

1.80

0.60

50.00%

 

 

Mark Vitaliano: Mark either drank too much or not enough in Week Nine.  He looked like a drunk hillbilly playing carnival games.  Tisk, Tisk.

 

            What's Next: Mark V will enter rehab in Week Ten.

 

Mark Vitaliano 2014-2015 Season Averages

 

PPG

RPG

APG

BPG

FT%

15.00

7.67

1.33

0.50

40.00%

 

 

 

2014-2015 Standings

 

Team

Captain

Record

Streak

Orange

Matt V

5-2

W4

DarkBlue

Bo

5-2

W3

LightGreen

Brennan

4-3

W1

DarkGreen

Conway

3-3

L1

Red

Beave

3-3

L1

Yellow

Tierney

3-4

L1

Grey

Johnson

2-5

L2

LightBlue

Vito

2-5

L2