Pre-Season Power Rankings

Power Rankings

Hello all, and welcome to another season of Groton Dunstable Rec Basketball. For those of you who don't me, my name is Will Zimmon, and I will be running the blog this year. That's pretty much all you need to know about me. Now let's get to the good stuff. With the exception of the Zolomon enjoy this brief period of time where I love you all because by this time on Sunday... different story. For those of you who are on the Zolomon roster, I expect nothing but the title, so no pressure.

13. Strauss

There's good news and bad news for this team. The good news is this might be the best freshman core of basketball players ever assembled. The bad news is 8/10 players are freshman. This actually may not necessarily be a bad thing as there is likely plenty of chemistry, however the lack of high school rec experience could be tough on them. There's a good amount of size on this team, but not an intimidating amount of speed. There is obvious potential for this team however. I could see them staying near the bottom for the beginning of the season and making a run to the top late. The lack of upper classmen makes this team a question mark for me (don't worry Bono, I still see you). This team could easily prove me wrong however as this is the team I know least about.

12. Hect

This team features a lot of the same faces from the squad last year. They have a solid mix of size and speed and some shooters to complement the team. One of the major holes I see in this team though is the lack of two point guards. Yes Mark, is great as a floor general, but the lack of another true ball handler may hurt this team. The size and speed are both present, but neither of them are overwhelming. Defensively this team is very solid, and if that becomes the focal point of their identity they are destined for a rise in the rankings. The chemistry should be good because a lot of these kids played together last year, so with that in mind they could be destined to rise up the list.

11. Booth

This is the team in the league where if everyone plays to their full potential they will win. Well I guess you can say that about any of the teams, but this one especially. A lot of these players have improved a lot from last year, and if they're ceiling continues to grow, they could be very scary. They'll be able to rebound the basketball at one of the best rates in the league.The overall shooting of the roster isn't tremendous which could be a problem for this team, however the solid post play should make up for this. Ball handlers on this roster are limited, which could lead into some problems later. Overall this is another team that can easily prove me wrong and rise to the top, but for now they’ll be at 11.

10. Mcnamara

This team is one of the most balanced in our league. A great mix of size, speed and shooting. The biggest reason I have them at 10 as opposed to higher is I’m worried about the commitment of Peter White. This isn’t a knock on Peter at all because I don’t think he’ll miss games because he’s lazy, but because he’s a multi sport sport stud who may have conflict with other sports. Even without Peter, They have a hybrid big man who can ball handle in Zach Millett, and some solid scorers and defenders to help the cause. Their biggest strength however will be their rebounding with their strong size. This team will ride or die with the attendance of one of their players, depending on his attendance they could be very lethal.

9. Meyers

This team in my opinion, next to mine own was the hardest to rate. They have a few very capable ball handlers, and some size, but not a lot. Rebounding may be a struggle for this team as the height is slightly lacking. My pre-season freshman of the year Alex Bushnell will really have to step up and come through for his team week for week. Their identity needs to be based around fast break offense as they have a quick roster. Shooting on this team is very solid, but defense may be the biggest question mark moving forward. If they can find chemistry with each other they will succeed, but that may take a few weeks to really get going. For now they start at 9.

8. Southwick

Team Southwick is very solid from top to bottom. They will make their mark behind the three point arc as this team is loaded with capable three point shooters. My one big issue with this team is a lack of height. They don’t possess any tall players play big (Cause I know Harrison strictly splashes threes). They do however have a lot of speed and they can utilize that in the fast break. Teams that live and die with the three usually either blow teams out or get blown out, and I can see that happening to this team as well. Depending on the day, and the wind this team could beat anyone and lose to anyone, so I tossed them in the middle, where they can either rise big or fall far.

7. Gingras

I actually really like this squad this year. They have everything a rec ball teams needs, they have a healthy mix of shooters, rebounders, ball handlers, fast break players, and they can actually be very scary moving forward. I really like what I saw from the Phonard brothers in the evals, and they play a key role for this team’s success. Once they develop some chemistry together they will be a very solid roster as they can play at any pace whether it’s fast or slow. The reason they are 7 instead of higher is, while they are solid at everything, it may take some time to develop an identity, and see what works for them. They’re another team that can beat anyone or lose to anyone, but I can see them rising late right before playoffs come.

6. Bernard/Hastings

Two rookie head coaches will attempt to take the this league over and capture the title, and with the roster they have, it very well could happen. The feel good story of the year comes out of this team as free agent James Hastings was signed to play along side his brother. This team may be the best defensive team in the league as Eddie Hastings because every player from top to bottom is equal if not better as a defender as they are at offense. This team has a couple of ball handlers that can drop you to your knees faster than Colin Kaepernick when the national anthem comes on, and some size as well to balance it out. This team is force to be reckon with and should be a legitimate title contender throughout the season.

5. Zolomon

It’s hard grading yourself, so this may be way off and if it is I apologize, but I genuinely believe this team can be lethal. First of all this is easily the most hustle on one roster. Top to bottom everybody can run. The two tallest players on the team (Brewster and Sellers) may even be the two fastest too, creating match up nightmares. They also have two tall ball handlers that also should be alarming to rest of the league. The defense on this team is sound and they have a few offensive play makers that can light up the scoreboard. The fast break offense will be the key as this will be the make or break for this squad. It’s my own team so yes the following may have just a tiny bit biased, but I think they definitely have a legitimate shot at the title and would have no problem beating Duke.

4. Manzi

This team looks lethal. Nate Townsend is one of the best two way players in the league right now, and the mix of height, speed and shooting will prove to successful for this team moving forward. Chemistry may be a slight issue for this team as they are a mix of juniors, sophomores and freshman, but if they can figure that out expect them to move upwards not downwards. Defense is one of this team's strongest weapons are they will be able to shut down the brightest stars in the league. I believe they will strive against teams that rely on star power, but may struggle with teams that run deep. I could see this team rising straight to the top quick, but if they don’t ever get their chemistry down I can see them plummeting as well.

3. Estes/TeDuits

Last year this squad made a crazy run and came up just short in the playoffs. This year I don’t see that happening. With the most second most prestigious basketball family in basketball behind the Ball’s ( Ryan, Bradley, Colin and Connor TeDestes) this team has star power galore. With the four players alone they have a mix of height, speed, ball handling, scoring and defense, pair them up with some some players that possess height and rebounding, solid shooting and speed as well and all of sudden team Estes/TeDuits is primed for another league title again. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish number one during regular season again, and hopefully for them this year will have more mercy on them than last.

2. O’Wiley

There are two reason I love this team, 1. The team name is maybe the most clever thing I’ve came up with, and 2. The roster is solid from top to bottom. This team is built off of two elements, defense and height. Two of the tallest players in the league (Jared and Pat) will dominate the glass like Duncan and Robinson. Let’s also not forget they have Giannis himself in Sam Boudreau. They have a few defensive studs and some sound shooting as well to round them into one of the best teams this league has to offer. This team should be scary this year, and they possess easily one of the best rosters in the league. I don’t see them falling too far from the number 2 spot.

1, Majkut

Despite being public enemy number one to this blogger's own team, I respect a great roster when I see it. The height on this team is alarming, with true big mean to compliment hybrid big men this team is truly terrifying. Between height and elite level defense this team is force in the league and teams will have a lot trouble putting up more than 40 on them. They also have a few lights out shooters creating a scary dynamic to this team. The one upside for the rest of the league is that they have negative speed on the roster, They are beatable through the fast break. Also dedication may be an issue as many of the players have conflicts throughout the season. Overall though this team is very very solid. ( By the way the first line is a total joke, no hard feelings)