Last week, the Metro Summer League began their six-week run for the basketball starved Omaha area basketball fans. While sloppy at times, it is still great to be able to watch your favorite local players take part in this league and see their improvement during the offseason.
Some players were missing last week that were expected to be there and there will be some missing again this week. However added to the mix for week two are some high school players including highly touted prospect Akoy Agau. He will be playing in one of the 6:00 p.m. games. Which one? You will have to head out to the Omaha Sports Academy to find out.
As we head into week two, there is one other thing to note: only two games feature both teams with 1-0 records and 0-1 records. So by the end of the night there could be a lot of 2-0 teams and a lot of 0-2 teams in pool play. Here is the preview for this week’s games.
Game of the Night:
6:00 p.m. (Court 4) Andy’s Lawn & Landscape (1-0) vs. Shanks Law Firm (1-0)
This is the only game that pits two teams that got a win last week. Shanks had a huge lead that they almost gave up at the end while Andy’s took the UNO Alumni to the wire to pull out the win. This one will be a battle of former Nebraska players (Andy’s) against several former Bellevue University players. John Turek tore it up for Andy’s last week scoring 34 points. Shanks was hot on the outside, making 16 three-pointers. If they endure some cold shooting from the arc this week, look out.
Creighton-Heavy Games:
5:00 p.m. (Court 1) Bellevue University (0-1) vs. EQ School of Hair Design (1-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Jahenns Manigat
Grant Gibbs will not be there for EQ School of Hair this week, but Jahenns Manigat and James Parrott are more than capable of leading this team to a victory. Both of them ran the break to perfection last week. Parrott faces some of his former teammates in this one as he is finishing his collegiate career at Midland this upcoming season. Like Thompson’s above, Bellevue University is integrating a lot of new players into their team this season and hope that it comes together to not start 0-2. The defending summer league champs look to turn things around.
6:00 p.m. (Court 2) Judd Knispel Agency (0-1) vs. Bank of Nebraska (1-0)
Bluejays to Watch: Nick Bahe, Nate Funk, Antoine Young, Austin Chatman, Ross Ferarrini, Justin Carter
Nick Bahe hopes his all-star team shows up to play on Thursday night. Without Doug McDermott or Nate Funk, the Judd Knispel Agency struggled even with the additions of Booker Woodfox and Stephon Bradford providing a scoring punch. It won’t be easy against Bank of Nebraska.
Last week Bank of Nebraska scored a somewhat easy victory as Deverell Biggs, Wes Wilkinson, and Justin Carter were flying up and down the court. This game will is close to being the game of the night if everyone shows up as advertised. Also, don’t be surprised to see Agau on one of these teams.
6:00 p.m. (Court 1) HCMC (1-0) vs. Walentine O’Toole McQuillan & Gordon (0-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Ethan Wragge, Nevin Johnson, Matt Dorwart
WOMG was blown off the court last week and they are hoping to turn things around against HCMC. Nevin Johnson, who many Creighton fans hope to be a force on defense this season, led the way last week in scoring with 24 points. But they will need more than him to score at a high clip. HCMC looks to build on its win over Bellevue last week and head out to a quick 2-0 record.
7:00 p.m. (Court 2) Narmi Group @ Smith Barney (1-0) vs. Thompson Basketball Camp (0-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Geoff Groselle, Andre Yates, Isaiah Zierden, Avery Dingman, Livan Pyfrom, Taylor Stormberg, Alex Olsen
If you are getting out of work a little late, you should be able to stop by and catch this game. Many fans in attendance commented last week how they enjoyed watching the incoming freshmen Yates and Zierden in person on the court. Groselle was not there last week, but is expected to be playing this week.
The Narmi Group took advantage of a shorthanded Judd Knispel Agency to get a win over a Creighton heavy team and they look to do the same again this week against Thompson’s. After getting acclimated in week one, Thompson’s could be in trouble again this week against a veteran team.
7:00 p.m. (Court 4) UNO Alumni (0-1) vs. Paragas Law Offices (0-1)
Bluejays to Watch: Brody Deren, Josh Jones, Will Artino, Rodney Buford
Both teams are looking to stay away from starting 0-2. Jones, Artino, and Benny Valentine were a triple threat down the stretch in their loss. If they get going early, this could be a good rebound game for Paragas.
The Rest:
5:00 p.m. (Court 2) Construction Zone (0-1) vs. Chris Carder Agency (1-0)
The Construction Zone was welcomed to summer league suffering the biggest loss last week, losing by 34 points. Chris Carder Agency almost lost a 20 point lead late in their victory.
6:00 p.m. (Court 3) Vanderslice (1-0) vs. ABIDE (0-1)
The team of former gridiron players showed they could play hoops with Vanderslice’s victory. ABIDE has to overcome their youth to come away with a win in this one.
7:00 p.m. (Court 3) Zurlo’s (0-1) vs. PJ Morgan Real Estate (1-0)
This one can be billed as the battle between Nebraska and UNO. The PJ Morgan Real Estate team, led by Mitch Albers will look to knock off a team that includes former Huskers Ryan Anderson and Lance Jeter.
7:00 p.m. (Court 1) Higgins Weatherguard (1-0) vs. Wissing (0-1)
Higgins did a great job distributing the ball in their victory last week over the Construction Zone. Wissing, rallied in their loss and came up short. It should be a good battle between teams with a lot of players from the smaller schools in the state.
For more information on the Metro Basketball League, visit the Summer League Site.