Well, we are through to the semis with this win. A reminder that the game is on Friday night, not Monday night.
Australia v Japan
1. Japan had alot to play for, needing a large win to get 2nd spot, and to keep the game close to secure third and a repacharge spot next season. As a result, it wasn't a surprise to see them come out fired up.
2. However, their enthusiasm may have been misplaced in the first quarter, as their players tried for too much and shot brick after brick. Our boys went into the break 11 points up, largely due to solid D and an 8 point outburst from Degas. The second quarter was an unremarkable arm wrestle
3. Neither side could score in the third quarter - just a combined 22 points were scored. Australia's struggles may have been due to Scoggins fouling out early in the third - he had been our leading scorer up to that point.
4. Much like the previous two quarters, the final quarter was another stalemate - but with our big first quarter we came out on top for a 15 point win. (Sorry for the poor writeup here - but it wasn a reasonably unremarkable mostly dead rubber for us!)
5. We won the game in the first quarter. But Japan lost it at the line. They went 12 for 31 at the line, which is just abysmal. And that's despite one player going 7-11. They are in serious need of some FT training!
Darby Walters Medal
3. Brent Degas - I liked his ability to score from the PG position tonight, as he went 6-10 and was our leading scorer. A few assists and no TOs rounded out a seriously handy performance. His first quarter scoring effort set up the game
2. Dylan Scoggins - He was our leading scorer until he was fouled out, and snagged a few offensive rebounds as well. I can't get mad at him for fouling out, given the effort of their players at the line!
1. Scott Schnieder - Just a standard 5-6 shooting game for Scotty, to pick up the one vote
Leaderboard
If we lose the semi final, Scoggins will win this medal. If we make the final, some others have a chance to pinch it, but this is likely Scoggins' medal.
12 - Dylan Scoggins
8 - Leigh Reiffel; Vladimir Shishaev
6 - Darren Lonergan; Keith Anderson; Scott Schnieder; Brent Degas
3 - Lionel Walker; Steve Riemers
2 - Burl Barth; Thad Hadley; Emori Faletoese
1 - Jone Bogan
Rudolph Radford Medal
3. Scott Schnieder - The opposing centres got shut down in a big way. Most of the credit for that needs to go to Schnieder, who also had a block, a steal, and 5 defensive boards.
2. Dylan Scoggins - (See Schnider, Scott)
1. Lionel Walker and Vladimir Shishaev - I'm giving one vote to each of these guys, since they both shut down the opposing SG, and picked up a couple of rebounds. I can't split them!
Leaderboard
As above, this is Schnieder's medal to lose now. Shishaev has an outside chance if we make the final
15. Scott Schnieder
11. Vladimir Shishaev
6. Emori Faletoese; Lionel Walker
5. Dylan Scoggins
4. Brent Degas; Keith Anderson
3. Darren Lonergan; Leigh Reiffel
2. Brent Degas; Steve Riemers
Jackson Mansfield Medal leaderboard
This is now a three-way battle between Schnieder, Shishaev and Scoggins. Schnieder takes the lead this week, but with 6 votes up for grabs on Friday, it is far from insurmountable.
21. Scott Schnieder
19. Vladimir Shishaev
18. Dylan Scoggins
11. Leigh Reiffel
10. Keith Anderson; Brent Degas
9. Darren Lonergan; Lionel Walker
8. Emori Faletoese
5. Steve Riemers
2. Burl Barth; Thad Hadley
1. Jone Bogan