Game Picks: Semi-Finals

The last weekend of the 2009-2010 GD Rec Basketball Season is upon us, and with that, a field of 14 teams has been narrowed to four. The teams that have reached this point have not only used talent to get this far, a lot of their success can be attributed to heart, hustle, and teamwork. With that, I'd like to wish each team the best of luck tonight and tomorrow. Unfortunately I have to work the clock at MSN tonight, so I won't be able to catch the semi-final games. As for tomorrow, I will be in attendance for the championship game at Lawrence Academy at 10:40am, at which the GD Rec Basketball All-Star Game Ballots will be distributed and cast. Hope to see everyone there tomorrow, and once again, best of luck to each team and each contestant in the Free Throw and 3-Point Championships. Without further adieu, the picks...

MacLeod vs. Debreceni (Friday - 8:00pm - LA)

Team MacLeod has ridden the upset wave to make a miraculous appearance in the semi-finals... who'd a thunk it? Then again Team Debreceni was last in the preseason rankings (okay, I said it, but let's not bring that up any more). That being said, Team Debreceni has been the highest scoring team, averaging 59.75 ppg, (9.5 ppg higher than the second place team, Team Calderan), while Team MacLeod is 10th in the league, averaging 42.75 ppg. The two teams met in Week 8, with Team Debreceni winning a blowout, 76-44. But Team MacLeod has pulled a 180, and they, like Team Debreceni, are filled with confidence. The key will be for Team MacLeod to jump out to an early lead and keep the game low scoring, while Team Debreceni would love to play an uptempo, high-scoring game. This one should be interesting, and Team MacLeod has won over the hearts of many rec basketball fans, but I think their magical run will come to an end tonight... but who knows, maybe they'll shock the rec basketball world again?
Debreceni 54 MacLeod 47

Dawson vs. Hegeman (Friday - 8:00pm - LA)

Team Hegeman has pulled it together and made a run, with two upset wins over Jarboe and Fotino respectively, they rank 9th in the league with 43.5 ppg. On the other side Team Dawson lost in double overtime to Dion, but they got lucky and got the draw-in slot. They took advantage and upset #2 Burke, and approach this game with an optimistic outlook, based on their 53-46 victory over Team Hegeman in Week 8. Team Hegeman's surge has been ignited by the presence of Noah Burkholz, who has returned from the Lawrence Academy JV sidelines, to make two solid playoff appearances. That being said, Anthony Cotoni and Gerardo Guadiana have been solid thus far for Team Hegeman, and Mitchell Dawson has stood out scoring wise from a well rounded Team Dawson. Team Hegeman has the size and a greater amount of raw talent, but Team Dawson has the speed, aggressiveness, and teamwork that I believe will lead them to a hard fought win, and an appearance at the GD Rec Basketball Championship game on Saturday.
Dawson 52 Hegeman 49