Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Hornets

Line-up: Phil C, Beau, Ross, Murray, Adam, Luke, Phil S (visit player stats)

Round 12, 2005 Winter Season

Wednesday, 27th July 2005

[ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ]

Hornets suffer sting of Hulkamaniacs swarming defense.

BENDIGO (AP).

The Hulkamaniacs have extended their recent dominance over the Hornets, making it now 9 consecutive wins over their traditional rivals, and at the same time continuing their push to consolidate second position on the division 2 ladder.

Entering the game with a full strength compliment of 7 players, including welcoming 3-time MVP Phil C back to the line-up after illness, the Hulkamaniacs always appeared far too strong on paper for the Hornets, despite the Hornets improvement so far in season 2005.

From the very early going, the Hulkamaniacs simply dominated, and didn't look back. 

Phil C didn't waste any time in marking his return, getting the Hulkamaniacs on the board with a couple of early baskets, with Beau next in line to get the scoreboard ticking over, with a string of baskets giving him 10 consecutive points, as the game was getting well beyond the Hornets even after only a matter of 10 minutes.

The undermanned Hornets were incapable of slowing down the Hulkamaniacs machine, who had scoring options aplenty, running the fast break at every opportunity, extending the lead at will.

Whilst dominating the offensive end, the Hulkamaniacs were miserly on the defensive end, restricting the Hornets to just 3 field goals in the first half.

With Murray, Luke and Ross getting involved offensively, and Adam entering the fray with a string of baskets, including two 3-point bombs, just before the half - the margin was extended to a staggering 32 points by the main break, with all sorts of records tumbling by the minute.  The half-time score was 39-7.

The second half was almost a mirror of the first.  The Hulkamaniacs received further solid contributions from Phil C, Beau and Adam - but perhaps the even more encouraging sign for the team was a second consecutive impressive performance from Ross, with 7 points (following on from 12 points last week), together with Phil S, who added a couple of field goals of his own in his return to the line-up after a couple of weeks out.

By games end, and for now three weeks in a row, every Hulkamaniacs played featured on the scoresheet - a rare occurrance indeed, especially when it happens in three consecutive games - an obvious reflection that the Hulkamaniacs are playing an almost perfect team-oriented style of basketball, which is a great sign with finals time approaching.

In what always loomed as a major test for the improving Hornets, they were simply undermanned from the start with only 4 players taking the court - which spells bad news at the best of times, let alone when you're coming up against a Hulkamaniacs team pushing for a top 2 spot on the ladder.  But to their credit, the Hornets never threw in the towel - continually working hard throughout the match, which wasn't quite reflected on the scoreboard.

The final score was 77-13.

Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Beau with 23, Adam 15, Phil C 14, Murray 10, Ross 7 with Luke and Phil S 4 apiece.

Next week, the Hulkamaniacs (7W-2L) are up against the Throwbacks (3W-6L).  The Hulkamaniacs have won two of three all-time meetings against the Throwbacks, including their last two encounters.  But the Throwbacks have been competitive in season 2005, with wins over the Wolverines, Hornets and Dwarfz in the past month, and a narrow loss to one of the top teams, Nemesis.  Games between the two teams have traditionally been tight, so it's sure to be another beauty next week.

Be sure to stay tuned to the Hulkamaniacs website for all the news and results!

MVP Standings: Phil C (78.5), Beau (53.5), Murray (40.0), Luke (32.0), Adam (31.0), Ross (30.5), Simon (11.5), Phil S (8.5).

Game notes.

The Hulkamaniacs now lead the all-time series against the Hornets 11-3 (with 1 draw), including having won the last 9 matches between the two teams… Tonight's total of 77 points in the third highest score all-time versus the Hornets… The Hornets total of 13 points in the lowest all-time recorded against the Hulkamaniacs… Tonight's winning margin of 64 points is the second largest margin all-time versus the Hornets, with last seasons 68-point victory the largest on record between the teams… Phil C has scored double figures in 11 consecutive games (all this season), a new Hulkamaniacs record… Beau's 23 points is the highest recorded this season by a Hulkamaniacs player and takes his all-time tally to beyond 550 points, currently sitting on 559 points (fourth all-time amongst Hulkamaniacs players)… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more.

[ HOME - MATCH SUMMARIES - PLAYER STATS - RECORDS - PLAYER PROFILES - TIMELINE ]