Season 5 Start-Mid Week Wrap Up

Albany – As expected the Albany Hawkeyes have already begun their rampage through Aussie 1 and clearly are the team to beat.  Despite significant league issues in the opening days including not being able to rotate players, set tactics, know whether the games even count the Hawks beat all opposition. 

In the opening Exhibition game the Hawks crushed the up and coming Kentucky Wildcats on the strength of another outstanding Qinglai Huang performance.  Veteran Q, who has long been a Hawkeye campaigner was an absolute terror recording 37 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds in only 36 minutes.  He added 2 steals and 5 blocks.  Melivmbe Otumbabababawon was also a significant contributor with 22 points and Jay Wright was his usual fantastic self with 28 points  and 3 steals. 

Although Q was the MOM, deservedly two other players deserved recognition.  Cvetelin Kalinski rebounded from a rough season 4 with a great opener.  4 steals, 21 points and 5 threes.  Nearly as outstanding was Alex Petkov who continued the fine form he showed last season with a perfect 10 for 10 from the field.

Suffering in this contest were the Whalemeat twins.  Normally stalwarts on offense and defense respectively Elli Skotgladi and Kutur Skyhook both fouled out early in what was undoubtedly their worst games ever in Hawk Uniforms.  After the game when Elli was asked about Q’s performance Elli said Q who?” before sticking his head back into the ice chest and burying it beneath 30 kg’s of caribou carcass (a well known Icelandic hangover cure).  Look for both to rebound as the season goes forward.

 

Game 2 – Cambridge – The Game of 5

In what will undoubtedly be another exhibition contest the Hawks took it easy on the Cambridge Cangaroo’s despite abhorrence at the pathetic palindrome.  Q again put on a display hitting all 4 of his shots from the field, three triples and grabbing 3 steals.  But the performance of the night came from Elli Skotgladi, bouncing back after one of his worst efforts Elli hit all 11 of his shots, had a massive 7 steals and 10 assists.  Jay Wright was again a steady performer with 19 points and stellar free throw shooting.  Melivmbe Otumbabababawon had the most interesting performance.  Mel shot poorly but had 3 steals, 5 blocks, 5 assists, 5 offensive rebounds, 5 defensive rebounds for a game of 5 in perfect symmetry.  When asked about Mel’s performance Elli said “Mel Who?” before sticking his head back int the ice chest and burying it beneath 30 kg’s of caribou carcass.  The team continues to play Greg Butler in limited minutes as he recovers from food poisoning obtained from eating bad caribou, Greg managed 3 blocks despite only 12 minutes and looks to have a strong Season 5.

Game 3 – Melbourne

Despite not knowing if the game meant anything the Hawkeyes disposed of the Melbourne Tigers as confusion reigns in Cyberdunk.  Qinglai Huang continued his hot start hitting all 7 of his shots including 2 3′s and stealing 3 balls.  Passing seems more significant this season as turnovers mount, undoubtedly there has been some change to the algorithm.  Star of the match was Jay Wright who looked the true point guard and did his best Steve Nash impersonation with 28 points, 13 assists and 5 steals.  Also dominating were the two towers, Melivmbe Otumbabababawon and Kutur Skyhook with 7 blocks a piece.  Cvetelin and Alex had hot hands with 7 three pointers between them. 

There remains doubt whether these games will count but the Hawkeyes continue to perform well despite the lack of clarity in the league.  Greg Butler seems fully recovered from his caribou poisoning and the new rule that all ice chests be locked when not in use should keep this from happening again.  When asked about the incident Kutur Skyhook recommended “he should have had the seal”.