Game Picks: Week 3

After a much improved 4-3 record in the picks column two weeks ago, I'm back at it again after a week off with plenty of Turkey in my tummy and an overall 6-8 record over the first two weeks of games. Hopefully I can get that number above .500 with this week's game picks:

Dion (0-2) vs. Dawson (0-2)
In a matchup of two winless teams, the addition of Noah Burkholz to Team Dion should make the difference in the end. But the football players on Team Dawson are now back in basketball-mode, so don't expect them to lie down. I expect Team Dion to get Dustin McEvoy the ball more often and I think he and Burkholz will form a high-scoring tandem to take the "W."
Dion 44 Dawson 39

Stevens (1-1) vs. Hegeman (1-1)
With the loss of Gerardo Guadiana to the High School Varsity team, Team Hegeman will have to rely heavily on Anthony Cotoni and Saaid Arshad to carry the offensive load. Team Stevens really played weel together in the second half and I think they can keep and force some turnovers in the backcourt against a team that is short a ballhandler.
Stevens 52 Hegeman 43

Fotino (1-1) vs. MacLeod (1-1)
After a disappointing outing last week, Team Fotino should come out ready to play. That being said, Team MacLeod will have Jeremy Pappafagos back this week, but it's been a while since he has played in a game-setting. Tynan MacLeod vs. Shane O'Malley should be a good matchup at the guard spot, and although Tynan might have the edge due to size, I think Team Fotino has a better supporting cast, so they should get the job done in the end.
Fotino 47 MacLeod 45

Calderan (2-0) vs. Wright (0-2)
Although this looks like the most lopsided game if the weekend based on team records, I expect Team Wright to step up and play a competitive game. With Eric Rahnasto replacing Jon Wolfe, I don't think Team Wright is losing much in terms of talent. But Rahnasto has yet to play with his team, and Team Calderan has looked like the best team in the league the first few weeks, while Team Wright hasn't played like a team and a new player who is foreign to their playing style will keep them winless for one more week.
Calderan 50 Wright 46

Smith (2-0) vs. Burke (1-1)
Smith has been on a role lately, and after beating a very good Fotino team I would expect them to come out ready to play. Burke struggled in week one but came on strong last week against Team Wright. This could be the biggest mismatch in terms of size, with Burke being the biggest team, and Smith possibly the smallest. How can Smith rebound? How can Burke get the ball up the court? I think Smith will force some turnovers with the press, but it won't be enough to close the defecit that will be made in the rebounding category.
Burke 49 Smith 46


Bailey (0-2) vs. Lavallee (1-1)
Team Bailey's dependence on Sean Bailey to carry the scoring load has been a major factor in the team's winless record. Team Lavallee played well last week and seems to have established a sense of teamwork, as well as a playing style that will fit them well the rest of the season (or so they say), but they will be without two of their top players in Tommy Beal and George Lavallee. Therefore I see Brandon Wilkinson stepping up and evening the scoring load with Sean Bailey to help shoulder the offensive load, as bothe players will have mismatches in their favor, and they'll get the job done against Team Lavallee.
Bailey 48 Lavallee 41

Debreceni (2-0) vs. Jarboe (2-0)
Sunday's matchup of unbeatens is obviously the game of the week. Zack Dhionis should have a big game cleaning up down low in the paint, while Ryan Langell should counter his efforts-- each of them will have a mismatch in their offensive favor. I really expect this game to come down to the wire, and in the end Team Jarboe will squeak out a victory behind a big game from Griffin Modzelewski.
Jarboe 42 Debreceni 40