Hulkamaniacs Match Review - Phoenix

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

Final 1, 2005 Winter Season

Wednesday, 31st August 2005

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

Phoenix hand Hulkamaniacs more finals pain.

BENDIGO (AP).

After one of their better wins in recent memory last week versus then top-placed Nemesis, the Hulkamaniacs have fallen to Phoenix in the first match of their 2005 finals campaign. 

It's the second time the teams have met in finals, with Phoenix ending the Hulkamaniacs 2003/04 season prematurely in the two teams first finals meeting.

The Hulkamaniacs were dealt a severe blow with the last minute news that three-time MVP, Phil C, would miss the season's first final.  The news was a massive setback, however the Hulkamaniacs were eager to respond and again prove they rely not on one single player, as effective as Phil C has been in what could easily be his fourth straight MVP season.

What Phil C's absence did mean, was that several players were forced to play out of their natural positions.  Namely Ross and Murray were forced back under the basket, away from their usual position atop the key, where so many offensive drives are initiated through their hustling and bustling defensive styles and running strength.

A lack of height would also prove to be a factor, with Phoenix amongst the taller and more powerful teams in the league.

It wasn't a promising opening for the Hulkamaniacs, who despite having defeated Phoenix as little as three weeks ago, seemed tentative on offensive, and sluggish on defense, as Phoenix dominated the early going by getting inside for easy buckets, thanks largely to racking up a number of second chance points.

When Ross connected from long range, the Hulkamaniacs were on their way but were still behind where it matters - on the scoreboard, as their normally sharp offense was lacking its usual fluency.  Murray and Beau followed up with baskets of their own, as the Hulkamaniacs remained in touch, but only barely.

Phil C's offensive production was clearly missed, as the Hulkamaniacs struggled to eclipse 10 points in the first half, having averaged more than 22 points in the first half throughout the season.  Adam got his first points towards the end of the half, taking his teams tally to 12, but behind considerably on the scoreboard, 23-12, in a first half basically dominated by Phoenix.

The start of the second half mirrored the pattern of play throughout the first - Phoenix dominating the glass, and controlling the game.

The tempo lifted in the second half, suiting the Hulkamaniacs.  3-point field goals in transition to Adam and Ross restored some much needed confidence, but was it a case of too little, too late, with the Phoenix half time lead of 11 point barely being threatened.

It was clear that Phoenix were not going to accept defeat to the Hulkamaniacs for the second time in three weeks, as they looked determined to shut the Hulkamaniacs out, forcing them to take the long road to the Grand Final. 

Whilst the Hulkamaniacs weren't at their best, with the absence of their match winner a major contributing factor, Phoenix was far too good.  Too tall, and too strong, also.  A much-improved effort in the second half was some consolation for the Hulkamaniacs (scoring 20 points, compared with their first half total of 12), but their mindset must clearly have been next week's elimination final as the final minutes of the game played out.

A further good sign to take from the game for the Hulkamaniacs was the impressive form of Adam, hitting 12 points for the night, including two 3-point field goals.  However a back injury, possibly sustained in tonight's game, may force his absence next week - a situation that will be closely monitored at Hulkamaniacs HQ this week.

Beau, Ross and Murray also combined for a strong offensive contribution with 20 of the team's total 32 points, but Phil C's absence was too much to cover in the end.  Added to a flu that has grounded several Hulkamaniacs players in the last couple of weeks, and perhaps this wasn't the way it was meant to be - this week at least.

The final score was 51-32, in favour of Phoenix.

Leading scorers for the Hulkamaniacs were Adam with 12, Beau 10, Ross 6 and Murray 4.

Next week is clutch time for the Hulkamaniacs, facing an elimination final against Bomb Squad, who come off an impressive victory over Nemesis in their first final.  Bomb Squad got the better of the Hulkamaniacs last time out (albeit by a solitary point), but this game will be much different, as the stakes are raised to new levels, and your very own Hulkamaniacs team face extinction in season 2005. Will the dream end next week?  Or will the Hulkamaniacs live to have one more crack at Phoenix and their first Division 2 title in the Grand final?  There's only one way to find out - and that's to stay tuned to the Hulkamaniacs website for all the news and results!

MVP Standings: Phil C (104.0), Beau (71.0), Murray (51.0), Adam (43.0), Luke (40.5), Ross (34.5), Phil S (12.0), Simon (11.5).

Game notes.

The Hulkamaniacs trail Phoenix in the all-time series 4-1 following tonight's defeat… This was the second time Phoenix have defeated the Hulkamaniacs in finals basketball, and take's the Hulkamaniacs all-time finals record to 1W-4L… Adam scored his 700th career point tonight and becomes the second player to achieve that milestone… See the Records and Player Stats sections for more.

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