KP's Jake Layman is Making Some Noise

This year KP Basketball came on the rise quickly and it was all due to big man Jake Layman. Layman is 6'8 and was King Phillip's go to man. While I was reading Rivals today, I came upon an article that mentioned him. It says he already has offers from UMASS, BC, and Providence with gaining interest from Maryland and Notre Dame. Layman has to be the biggest hoop prospect in a high school around here in a long time.

You can see Jake play a little in this video starting at the 44 second mark.

Dump Em Out

Dump Em Out was a playoff team last year that is gonna have to fight through adversity to get back this year. Captain and First Team All Star Nick Beatrice will not be back this year due to a torn ACL. Nick was instrumental into pushing the tempo for Dump Em Out and was their unanimous leader and field general on the court. We wish him a quick and healthy recovery. They will also be missing First Team All Star Jordan Weygand while he is still on tour in Iraq. Jordan may be back for the later part in the season and we wish him the best of luck while he's still away. Dump Em Out will have to focus on solid contributions from shooter Derek Masse and their breed of Attleboro guys to keep up their fast paced transition offense.

Introducing the Expansion Team the Tune Squad

The Tune Squad will be the biggest team in NSHL history. They are going to be centered around the Doucette triple threat of 6'5 Tom, last year's First Team All Star 6'4 Darren, and 6'3 camptain Adam. rumor is they're bringing in Sun Chronicle All Star 6'4 Colin Feeney. Saying this team will own the boards will be an understatement.The only question for this team is going to be who will bring the ball up. This team is enamored with height and power, but looks to lack a distributor to work the ball around to the giants. One thing is for sure, the sky is the limit for these guys. The Tune Squad will play Saturday against Dump Em Out.

No ID No Idea

No ID No Idea missed the playoffs by losing their final game to Dump Em Out. No ID No Idea is notorious of their live by the three die by the three philosophy. This philosophy is maintained through captain Mike Twitchell and role players Tom Munger and Keegan Schliecher. Down low they are carried by First Team All Star Pat Hannon. To mix things up, they use Second Team All Star Joey Wilkes on the wing. On the other wing there is versatile Phil Rizzo. With playoff expansion, this team should be a lock in for the playoffs. The only down side is losing their other big man Colin Feeney and sharp shooter Steve Burrill.

The Super Villain Squad

The next team on the list is the Super Villain Squad. Last year they made it all the way to the ship with a surprising upset by Cougar Bait. Known for their boring zone defense, the Super Villain Squad really clogs up the paint with their athletic big men in Lancer Division Player of the Year Chad Earls and Second Team All Star Jared Lang. They're run by Second Team All Star captain Tim Laconte, who's somehow snuck in First Team All Star Kurt O'Sullivan from the retired New England Warhammer. This team in no way lacks heights, rocking four to five guys that are 6'3 or taller.

They have cut some guys from last year but maintain role player Derek Dufresne. The main question is will the speedy guard Nevado be back, The Super Villain Squad looks like they're in good position for another run to the championship game but only time can tell. They also play opening day against No ID No Idea.

Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself: Thumbs Up

Thumbs up is going to be a powerhouse in the league. The only question is how many casualties will there be. Before I go further I want to be clear that there is no exaggeration to these statements because the commish is the captain of Thumbs up, everything I state is facts. Thumbs Up has taken a great clay figurine, crushed it back into a ball, put it in God's hands, and created something beautiful. Formerly known as teh Rochester Rawdoggers, Thumbs Up has kept three core players and has gone Theo Epstein on everyone to go from contender to heavyweight.

Last year there was a commitment issue with numerous players leading into a game that was started with only three players which they pulled out, but a playoff loss where they only had four guys. Thumbs up looks to run a lethal transition game with snipers all over the court. They return offensive juggernaut and Player of the Year Doug Schlehuber (Dougie Fresh) along with the commish and last year's late add in sharp shooter Dan Nagle. They've added the big three (big as in talent not height) in the Donnovan brothers which consist of twins Keith and Mike and big bro Matt. With the loss of First Team All Star Darren Doucette, they've added bulk with former Feehan star David Simmons and wingman current Norton High standout Steve Burrill. The commish is still wheeling and dealing and could make one to two more key additions, but this is the core right here and they look to take the ship and nothing less.

The Dirty Burg

The Dirty Burg is one of four teams to play opening day. The name derives from the heinous campus and city that captain Mike Baird goes to school at (Fitchburg). They were favorites to make the playoffs all last season but a loss in the final game of teh season kept them out. They feature two All Stars in returning First Teamer Chris Brooks and Second Teamer big man Travis Jolly. They were hit with a big loss in the winter when blossoming star Zack Ruby severely broke his ankle and will miss the entire Summer Hoops season. The Dirty Burg has other key contributers in the perfect role player Tom Mcdermott and the kid from Easton named Kevin who no one knows his last name. They run a solid inside out game and have a full team to keep fresh legs all game. They have other role players including Ryan Kok, Tim foley, Justin Baird, and otehrs. With the playoffs opening up to a six team format the Dirty Burg should be in good position to compete in the postseason.

Team Reviews

Since the Norton summer Hoops League is about to get started with year two, I feel it's necessary to introduce the teams in the league. Seven teams return from last year, some teams with some name changes. Free Agency was huge this year with numerous big name players moving teams. Each we'll introduce two teams that are facing each other in week one giving a brief team breakdown from what I know (rosters don't have to be final until Wednesday so things could change).

Countdown: 6 Days Until First Games are Played

This Thursday the league kicks off with two games. Thumbs Up featuring last year's Norton Division Player of the Year Dougie Fresh will play the Dirty Burg featuring First Team All Star Chris Brooks. The other game will consist of league runner up The Super Villain Squad featuring last year's Lancer Division Player of the year Chad Earls and the young gun reigning baseball state champs No ID No Idea with non baseball player All Stars Pat Hannon and Joey Wilkes. There's nothing better than opening day baby!

Shirts Have Been Ordered

So here's the look for the uniforms. No one has the color white so it won't look as bland. I know I know, it's nothing that's gonna melt your face off with coolness, but hey it's cheap. These should come i a couple days before the season. Thumbs UP!

Norton Summer Hoops League Schedule is Posted!

After hours of head scratching and erase marks, I have finally finished the schedule that can be viewed on the sidebar in the blog. I tried to accommodate all of the teams needs, but obviously some teams will not be able to play some of those games. Please notify the other team as soon as possible. Just because you don't want to play a specific day, don't tell them you can't make it. check with your whole team first. The captains' phone number list will be given out soon.

Bynum Loses Five for Claiming His Turf

The NBA announced yesterday that Andrew Bynum has been suspended five games for roughing up JJ Barea as he entered the paint. Truthfully I thought the flagrant foul and ejection was enough. as Bynum said, "We were getting embarrassed. They were breaking us down. So I just fouled somebody." Bynum was just setting the tone that no one else was coming in the paint. I think it should have happened earlier in the game. Maybe it would have given the Lakers the spark they needed. The part that annoyed me was Bynum ripping off his shirt. That just makes the sport look trashy and makes a mockery of the league. This just shows every team wants to be like the Celtics. Celtics needed a spark against the Lakers, so Mchale clotheslines Kurt Rambis like there's no tomorrow. That's how it's done, and Mchale didn't even get ejected. What I'd do to watch the good ole days.

Shaka Just Straight Killin' It!

Following up from my earlier post on Shaka, Sunday he just straight killed it. First he throws a menacing 12-6 curve as the first pitch. When he starts spittin' on the mic he knew how to pump the crowd with the, "Alright Cubs fans, let me hear ya!" I'm telling you, Maryland should be all over this guy with Gary Williams sudden retirement. He's gonna be the up and coming stud on the sideline.

Yahoo! Sports Step Your Game Up.

I know Big Baby has been nonexistent in this series, but to get his name wrong, c'mon Yahoo! We miss Perk, but we don't rename our bench players after him. Yahoo! is my premier site and this mistake is just killing me inside. Big Baby does need to step it up for One Week in May.

UPDATE: It's fixed, but it's unacceptable to the Bostonians.

Chris Bosh is the New Poster Child for Celtic Posterization

Sure everyone in Miami thinks Chris Bosh is the greatest thing since  sliced bread because Jeff Green trying to box out is like a deaf man playing Marco Polo. In my eyes, Bosh is just posterize central. Looks like one week in October is going to have its sequel as one week in May.

P.S. For 35 years old Ray Allen is an animal.

City of Boston Finally is Giving Bill Russell a Statue

The man has given the Boston 11 championships, brought the Celtics from middle of the pack to NBA juggernauts, and only 40 something years later we decide to build a statue of him. Russell is the greatest competitor of all time. Blocks were not a statistic in his time, but people said if it was he would have averaged over ten blocks a game. The guy played scoring machine Wilt Chamberlain like a fiddle. Russell was the ultimate winner in team sports, no one can or will ever compare. My thought to hearing this wasn't, "Good for him. It was what took them so long?" The Globe is suppose to come out with a special about him today on their website here's the trailer:

UPDATE: Found the video here it is

Butler's Hope for a Title Game Three Peat Dwindles

With the graduation of Matt Howard this year, Butler knew they'd be in trouble next year. But with the news of Shelvin Mack hiring an agent on Sunday, their chances of getting to the title game again are basically gone. I love the little Bulldogs but they really don't have many if any playmakers on their roster for next year.

Duke is Just Rocking the Best Coaching Staff Ever

Through news from Yahoo Sports, Duke has added Jeff Capel to their staff. The former Duke player was fired by Oklahoma this past year, but did a great job at VCU. Capel brought Blake Griffin to Oklahoma and will hopefully help Duke recruit some dominant big guys in the future. Capel is arguably the most overqualified assistant coach this year and he's with the best head coach presently in college hoops and arguably ever.

Worst Month in the History of LA

First the Dodgers are in upheaval with their owner (Frank Mccourt) in the process of being excommunicated from Major League Baseball. Now the Lakers back to back NBA Champs who lucked out last year have been swept by dark horse West favorite the Mavericks. Gasol looked like a frail China Doll in this series while Dirk flexed his muscles the entire series. Truth be told the Maverick look pretty scary. USA Gold Medalists Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler alongside dirk and instant scores Jason Terry and Peja Sotjakovic off the bench, the Mavs are ready for a title. Mark Cuban must be twiddling his thumbs with a boyish grin right now.

P.S. I hope the Thunder beat Memphis then crush the Mavs. Perkins deserves to be in the finals.

Terrence Jones Shocks the World!

I blogged earlier about Kentucky losing three to the draft, and I ended up being wrong. Brandon Knight announced he was staying in the draft a couple days ago, but last night Terrence Jones Tweeted that he was staying for another year. In my opinion this is more shocking than Harrison Barnes returning. Barnes will be a sure fire top ten most likely top five pick whenever he turns pro. Jones on the other side was a surefire top 15 most likely top ten with a slim top five chance this year. That was due to the reason that this year is possibly the worst draft class ever. With him staying another year, there is a lot more talent in the class especially with bigger men (Sullinger and Perry Jones could leave along with numerous incoming freshmen). The biggest surprise is that Calipari's one and done mantra is not occurring like normal. Doron Lamb and Jones, who were both highly touted recruits, are both returning. Kentucky is gonna beast next year!

Celtics Roll, One Arm Victory

Last year it was the steal from Jason Williams with the layup, this year it's the mangled elbow and his standing ovation come back. Ice Water. That's it, he's just got Ice Water in his veins. Either way, Rondo finds a way to lift the people of Boston and give the Celtics fans a sense of confidence.  Hey Heat get worried! Hide ya kids hide ya wives KG's gonna be dunkin' on everybody. Chris Bosh is officially done for the series as long as KG can breathe. this isn't called Championship City for nothing!

On another note Shaq was back with around eight minutes, and even though he didn't do much  I think he could help us in spurts but Jermaine should be starting the rest of the way.