2018-2019: Week 14 Player Reports

 

Game 1: Team Kenny Konrath (Blue) vs. Team Brennan (Red)

 

            -In a year where Greg and O’Malley are on the same team, you would think it would take a focused effort for anyone to be a more disliked team, but Kenny Konrath’s unlovable band of misfits has certainly taken a well-deserved spot at the top of Villain Mountain.  What’s important, though, is that they do seem to play better the more physical the game becomes.  The playoffs are rightfully called a bit closer and the constant fouling could lead to personnel problems very quickly, but Team Blue isn’t blessed with playmakers or consistent shooters; you have to give them credit for grinding out a winning record playing a style all their own.  Jerry-Less for the 5th time this season, Team Red continues to struggle in the half-court during the 2nd half.  They just never seem to get a good shot when they need one.  Luckily, despite a likely loss in their final regular season game against the first-place Team Light Blue, Team Red holds the tie-breakers over Team Matt V and Team Kenny Konrath, meaning they’re in no matter what.  Let’s see if Steigerwald can improve on his abysmal .375 career winning percentage in the playoffs.

 

Game 2: Team Vito (Teal) vs. Team Jimmy Konrath (Green)

 

            -While this game could cost Team Teal a playoff seed, it won’t amount to much else other than wounded pride, having succumbed to the worst team in HatchetBall…twice.  While it’s possible Team Green just has Team Teal’s number, there were 2 common themes to both losses: George Georgio might be too much for Pete Les on the block and Team Teal runs extremely hot and cold when it comes to finishing at the rim.  It seems like when one player blows a layup, the entire team feels they have to support that player’s ego by also missing every layup all night long.  Team Green has zero rim protection, but Team Teal missed over 20 point-blank shots that would have changed the result of this game. The lesson being: that shit can’t happen in the playoffs.  You won’t finish every shot, but it can’t become an infection that paralyzes the whole team.

 

Game 3: - Team Garmes (Orange) vs. Team Beave (Light Blue)

 

            -In a rematch of a Week 7 classic, Team Light Blue scampered to an important victory, providing themselves an opportunity to secure the first-overall seed in the playoffs.  Both of these teams have had first-round BYEs locked up for a few weeks, but it can be a psychological boost to head into the playoffs as the top dog.  Team Orange, after scorching their way to a 7-0 start, dropped 4 of 5 down the stretch to limp to an 8-4 record.  Nothing noticeably different going on with them, other than a drop in efficiency.  They’re hitting less shots and finishing less plays at the rim, it appears.  Their energy keeps them a dangerous contender, but gutting through the tough streaks is a critical component of a HatchetBall champion; let’s see if they have what it takes.

 

 

Standings

 

Team

Captain

Win

Loss

Record

Win %

Streak

Light Blue

Beave

8

3

8 - 3

0.727

W3

Orange

Kyle Garmes

8

4

8 - 4

0.667

L3

Teal

Vito

6

5

6 - 5

0.545

L1

Blue

Kenny Konrath

6

5

6 - 5

0.545

W2

Red

Brian Brennan

4

7

4 - 7

0.364

L2

Dark Blue

Matt V

4

7

4 - 7

0.364

L1

Green

Jimmy Konrath

3

8

3 - 8

0.273

W2