Semifinal and Championship Recap

Semifinals

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face 33 - #4 The Bomb Squad 30

Jeff Dsida quipped afterwards, "Matt Traub, Ryan Murnighan, and Charlie Gilvarg are the best players in the league". Traub had his best game of the year, dropping 20 points on 95% shooting. Charlie Gilvarg and Ryan Murnighan were too much; however, for The Bomb Squad, who end the year 8-2.

#3 AD 33 - #2 The Express 29

Matt Coan picked apart his 36 oz. steak dinner, then picked apart the Express defense. The big man for AD was unstoppable, scoring at will in the second half, and more importantly, knocking down all his free throws. Brandon Batt lowered his shot total from previous games, dishing to Coan instead. After a 15-10 Express lead at halftime, AD came out on a 9-0 run. The Express pulled to a 28-28 tie on a Mike Hermanson 3 with 2 minutes left. After a few back and forth possessions and missed free throws from AD, Brandon Batt made the game 30-28 with 45 seconds left. John Haller was fouled for The Express with 20 seconds left, and was just able to convert 1 of 2 free throws, narrowing the margin to 1. Miles Lashley came down and missed a free throw for AD, and Matt Haller was fouled with 10 seconds left to go. He missed the front end of the 1 and 1 down 30-29, and AD got the ball. Matt Coan came down and made both free throws on the 1 and 1, and Mike Hermanson's 25 footer couldn't fall with 1 second left.

Championship

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face 37 - #3 AD 29

AD scared the defending champs, jumping out to a 15-5 lead. Barifinkle then rallied to make a 19-19 tie at halftime. It was back and forth in the second half, and with about 4 minutes left it was 30-27, but Barifinkle was able to put away AD with fast breaks at the end as their endurance prevailed. Charlie Gilvarg gets my championship game MVP with a lot of offensive rebounds and points. We saw AD put up a great fight, and make Ryan Murnighan, Chris Sweitzer, and Conor Healy look as bad as they've ever looked. Give credit to AD, but Barifinkle makes it 2 in a row with another undefeated season.


Watch for All Night League teams, and Postseason Awards coming soon. Also, a potential All-Star Game Sunday March 14th. Good season everybody, except Off In The Woods and Hank Mardukas, both going winless. Feel free to click on the ads.

Semifinal Preview

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face (-6) vs. #4 The Bomb Squad

7:00 PM - Main Gym

Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face

PG- Ryan Murnighan

SG- Conor Healy

SG- Chris Sweitzer

F- Charlie Gilvarg

F- Stuart Voit

The Bomb Squad

PG- Peter Lind

G- Willy Moore

F- Matt Traub

F- Jeff Dsida

F- Michael Schroeder

Defending Champs Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face will have their work cut out for them to beat the 8-1 Bomb Squad. Matt Traub poses the biggest matchup problem for Barifinkle who will probably need to use multiple defenders to slow down Traub. Jeff Dsida and Willy Moore complement Traub to make 3 fast players over 6 foot for The Bomb Squad. For The Bomb Squad, the hardest matchup will be containing MVP candidate Charlie Gilvarg. Gilvarg has been getting it done in the points and assists column all season, and at 6'5", he is always hard to stop. Both teams are good on the run and especially on the larger main gym, this should be a fast game. It would be a surprise if Barifinkle lost, but if anybody can do it, The Bomb Squad can.

#2 The Express (-7) vs. #3 AD

7:00 PM - Stage Gym

The Express

PG- John Haller

SG- Matt Haller

F- Mike Hermanson

F- Kerby Hilarides

F- Brantner Jones

AD

PG- Brandon Batt

SG- Monte Spiers

F- Miles Lashley

F- Alex Wislow

F- Matt Coan

AD has yet to lose to a team not named Barifinkle. They won 10 straight last year before dropping to Barifinkle in the final, and after losing that game and the first of this year to Barifinkle again, AD is 7-0. Brandon Batt leads a stronger attack than last year's finalists with Monte Spiers and Alex Wislow helping him out. At 6'2", 200 pounds, Wislow is one of the bigger players in the league, and contending with his size will be a big problem for The Express. AD's toughest challenge will be controlling The Express 3 point shooting. The Express has 4 legitimate threats from the outside, and on the stage gym, AD could give up a lot of points on triples. The big court should favor The Express, who like to run and spread the floor, and while The Express is a favorite in this one, AD still has yet to lose to a team besides Barifinkle.

B Bracket

#1 McGarry Dangles Inc. (-8) vs. #5 Off In The Woods

Last week was the first week all year nobody in Night League beat Off In The Woods. Danny Malkin will be far and away the best player on the court, and for that reason, I give the edge to McGarry Dangles.

#6 Supreme Court (-4) vs. #7 NWA

NWA went winless in the regular season, while Supreme Court won once. Supreme Court won the Freshmen B Bracket, so they definitely have what it takes to win this one. I give them a slight edge, but watch out for NWA's Andrew Heisler.

Quarterfinal Recaps

A Bracket Play-ins

#11 Mallard Magic 45 - #6 Tallula 25

#7 Ortega 29 - #10 Medieval Times 25

#8 Boo Radley and Friends 25 - #9 Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher 19

A Bracket Quarterfinals

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face 47 - #8 Boo Radley and Friends 26

#2 The Express 40 - #7 Ortega 23

#3 AD 36 - #11 Mallard Magic 33

#4 The Bomb Squad 33 - #5 Theo 23

Barifinkle
	Barifinkle
Boo Radley
Bomb Squad
	Bomb Squad
Theo
AD
	AD
Mallard Magic
Ortega
	The Express
The Express

B Bracket Quarterfinals

#1 McGarry Dangles Inc. 40 - #8 Hank Mardukas 32

#7 NWA 36 - #2 Coot's Coot 35

#6 Supreme Court 31 - #3 Phase 4 26

#4 The Bullets 30 - #5 Off In The Woods 26 (OT)

McGarry Dangles Inc.
	McGarry Dangles Inc.
Hank Mardukas
The Bullets
	The Bullets
Off In The Woods
Phase 4
	Supreme Court
Supreme Court
NWA
	NWA
Coot's Coot

Quarterfinal Preview

A Bracket Play-in Games (games start at 8:25 PM)

#6 Tallula (-9) vs. #11 Mallard Magic [Court 2]

Tallula made a playoff acquisition and picked up McGarry Dangles Inc. star Danny Malkin. The addition means one less bad player on the court for Tallula. Tallula is undefeated with James Knight and Jeremy Rosenfeld both playing, granted those wins come against teams with a combined record of 7-23. Mallard Magic has been much worse than Tallula; however, with their 4 wins against teams a whopping 3-27. Mallard Magic will not have an answer for James Knight, and Tallula should win this game. The only chance Mallard Magic has is to completely take Knight out of the game, even if it means double teaming him the whole game.

#7 Ortega (-3) vs. #10 Medieval Times [Court 1]

In what is sure to be a physical game, last year's "most hated" team, plays last year's "most overrated team". Medieval Times' lost last year's star Willy Moore, and hasn't shown signs they are weaker than last year. Although they lost just once last year, their 3 losses this year came to The Express (in OT), The Bomb Squad (by 3), and Judge Jim Wascher (by 7), showing they've been close in defeat. I don't know if Ortega will have an answer for the size of TJ Keene and his jumping ability. Ortega likes to run while Medieval Times is much slower with possessions. This should be a very interesting game, and neither team will go down without a fight.

#8 Boo Radley and Friends vs. #9 Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher (-3) [Stage Gym]

In the regular season, Judge Jim Wascher missed 5 free throws in regulation that could've put the game away, and they ended up dropping it in overtime in 2 OT. Judge Jim Wascher has a distinct height advantage with starters John Cook (6'4"), Jack Wascher (6'2"), Scott Gantner (6'1") and Doug Lavey (6'2"), who was picked up off waivers last week. I give Re-Elect Judge Jim the edge here due to their height advantage, and the addition of Lavey, who is not only tall, but plays volleyball and can get up.

Quarterfinal Matchups (games start at 9:05)

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face vs. #8 Boo Radley/#9 Judge Jim [Stage Gym]

Whichever team wins between Boo Radley and Judge Jim Wascher, it would be a shock if either even made this a game. I don't think Judge Jim would be able to keep up with Barifinkle's speed on the Stage Gym, as their game favors a slow, inside game while Barifinkle is going to run and knock down 3's. I think Boo Radley stands a much better shot against the defending champs, but it would be a real surprise if this game was close down the stretch.

#2 The Express vs. #7 Ortega/#10 Medieval Times [Court 1]

2 years ago, The Express (minus Tim Denenberg and Mike Hermanson) went undefeated in the regular season, and lost to Ortega in the second round after a bye. The exact same scenario presents itself for Wednesday night should Ortega advance. The two teams play a similar style and an Express/Ortega matchup would be a great game. Medieval Times gave The Express an overtime scare in the regular season, as The Express had no answer for TJ Keene. The Express would be a small favorite against both of these teams, but each situation should provide an exciting game.

#3 AD vs. #6 Tallula/#11 Mallard Magic [Court 2]

AD went to the finals last year in a very similar fashion to the way this year's been going: under the radar. Should Tallula win, it would be a great game, as the regular season battle ended with an AD victory by just 4. AD has gotten stronger since last year with the addition of Alex Wislow and Monte Spiers, but still scares nobody. Teams are looking forward to playing AD thinking they're going to beat them, but so far in the last two years, Barifinkle has been the only team to do so. Both Tallula and Mallard Magic should provide some good competition for AD in the quarterfinals.

#4 The Bomb Squad (-7) vs. #5 Theo [Court 3]

Theo has shown us what they are without Walt Lyon, and that is a team just barely better than 0-8 Off In The Woods. The Bomb Squad will be able to contain Walt with Jeff Dsida, Willy Moore, and Matt Traub all great defenders. I think the only way Theo can keep this close is to punch, shove, kick, and slow down the game as much as possible. The only way Theo can win this game is to keep it in the high teens to low twenty's.

B Bracket (games start at 9:05)

#1 McGarry Dangles Inc. (-4) vs. #8 Hank Mardukas

McGarry Dangles loses best player Danny Malkin.

#2 Coot's Coot (-5) vs. #7 NWA

NWA is 0-7.

#3 Phase 4 (-3) vs. #6 Supreme Court

Phase 4 is getting better.

#4 The Bullets (-6) vs. #5 Off In The Woods

The Bullets are awful, Off In The Woods is worse.

A Bracket

1. Barifinkle
2. The Express
3. AD
4. The Bomb Squad
5. Theo
6. Tallula
7. Ortega
8. Boo Radley
9. Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher
10. Medieval Times
11. Mallard Magic

Barifinkle
Boo Radley/Judge Jim Wascher
Bomb Squad
Theo
AD
Tallula/Mallard Magic
Ortega/Medieval Times
The Express

Week 8 Recap

#1 Barifinkle/Team Sit on My Face 54 - #8 Mallard Magic 25
IT WAS OVER WHEN...	DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR	QUOTE
Ryan Murnighan rededicated himself to a run at the Golden Shoe. Murnighan guaranteed a victory 8th period by at least 20 points. He delivered and Barifinkle took off their 2 point win over McGarry pants, and put their defending champ stocking over their head.	Barifinkle: Looking perfect in their quest of a 21-0 record in Night League for Junior and Senior Years, with 2 Gold Shoes. Mallard Magic: Playing Ortega and losing in the game of the year.	"Barifinkle: berryunstoppable" - Reid Berry
Up Next: Barifinkle vs. Medieval Times/Boo Radley. Mallard Magic vs. Tallula.

#2 The Express 32 - #5 Tallula 23
IT WAS OVER WHEN...	DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR	QUOTE
The Express took James Knight out of the ball game. Without Alex Wetzel and Jeremy Rosenfeld, The Express knew James was going to be the key source of offense for Tallula, and they utilized a triangle and 2 defense to hold him in check all game.	The Express: Blowing open a tight second half game against Judge Jim Wascher to win by 14. Tallula: James Knight throwing down a tomahawk dunk in the first game of the year, and his first Night League game ever.	"Winnetka All-Stars right there" - Connor O'Halleran, dedicating one of his shots to his roots.
Up Next: Express vs. Ortega/Judge Jim. Tallula vs. Mallard Magic.

#3 The Bomb Squad 40 - #7 Ortega 26
IT WAS OVER WHEN...	DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR	QUOTE
The trio of Traub, Dsida, and Moore shook off a rough start and took over the game. It was an ugly game in which at one point it looked like Matt Traub was going to kill Ben Morton.	The Bomb Squad: Finally getting Willy Moore, Jeff Dsida, and Matt Traub to play together. They had to overcome injury, but with the 3 united, The Bomb Squad is undefeated.	"This is going to be a berrytough game" - Reid Berry, after getting rejected by Jeff Dsida in the first half.
Up Next: Bomb Squad vs. Theo. Ortega vs. Judge Jim

#4 AD 39 - #6 Theo 31
IT WAS OVER WHEN...	DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR	QUOTE
Walt Lyon stayed home sick for team Theo. It resulted in their first loss of the season, and a rough two game stretch heading into the playoffs.	Theo: Walt Lyon missing the game versus Off In The Woods, and Team Theo nearly losing to the winless Off In The Woods. AD: Winning every game except against Barifinkle for the second straight year. They are 6-1 and flying under the radar.	"A berrylong fall from grace for Theo" - Reid Berry
Up Next: AD vs. Tallula/Mallard Magic. Theo vs. Bomb Squad. #9 Medieval Times 47 - #17 Supreme Court 23 IT WAS OVER WHEN... DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR QUOTE Medieval Times didn't want to blow a perfect against the spread season, and willed themselves to beat it by 2. TJ Keene had his way in the post and Medieval Times rolled. Medieval Times: Going 8-0 against the spread. Let's see if they can go undefeated moneyline in the playoffs. Supreme Court: Beating Off In The Woods Week 4. "Jesus, Medieval Times is berrygood against the spread this year" - Reid Berry Up Next: Medieval Times vs. Boo Radley. Supreme Court vs. B Bracket. #10 Boo Radley and Friends 29 - #15 Off In The Woods 15 IT WAS OVER WHEN... DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR QUOTE Boo Radley went on a 15-0 run after going down 4-0. Spencer Levin was a part of 28 of Boo Radley's 29 points, the only exception a Nic Boury free throw. Levin went for 16 and 6 assists. Jared Sperling added 8 for Boo Radley Boo Radley: losing to The Bomb Squad and The Express by just 2 points. They almost pulled off a couple big upsets. Off In The Woods: Having other teams beat them all year. "Mulford's a psycho. He doesn't say a word, but he's easily the angriest person in Night League" - Anonymous Up Next: Boo Radley vs. Medieval Times. Off In The Woods vs. B Bracket. #11 Re-Elect Judge Jim Wascher 35 - #18 NWA 25 IT WAS OVER WHEN... DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR QUOTE Ben Burgess went up for a dunk, and got fouled by Daniel Oraham. This game was a blowout from the start, and Judge Jim enjoyed the easy win. Henry Perry was game MVP. Judge Jim: Starting 4-0, and being one of 4 undefeated teams left. NWA: Going winless for the second straight regular season. "NWA isn't berrygood" - Reid Berry Up Next: Judge Jim vs. Ortega. NWA vs. B Bracket. #12 McGarry Dangles Inc. 46 - #14 Coot's Coot 40 IT WAS OVER WHEN... DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR QUOTE Danny Malkin was able to get by JP Harvey and Co. and propel McGarry Dangles to the #1 seed in the B Bracket. McGarry Dangles Inc: Nearly beating Barifinkle, falling just 2 points short. Coot's Coot: Cheating out a 3 win season on the official Night League standings sheet. "Coot's Coot" - Coot's Coot Up Next: B Bracket for Both #16 Phase 4 41 - #13 The Bullets 29 IT WAS OVER WHEN... DEFINING MOMENT OF THE YEAR QUOTE Morgan of Arcy started scoring like crazy on Bowling Ben Levine and Co. D'Arcy dropped 16 points and Sam Shapiro contributed double figures as well. Phase 4: Getting a win over The Bullets, an A Bracket team last year. The Bullets: Losing to 1-6 Phase 4. "I thought everybody said Gorodetsky was good. And Mirkin should stick with tennis" - Sam Shapiro Up Next: B Bracket for Both