Monday Matinee

METROWEST DRAFT: Week 4 Predictions

SEASON PREDICTIONS: 8-4 (.667)

Monday night is headlined by a clash of two championship contenders at 8 p.m. But it may be the 7 p.m. hour matinee that produces Metrowest’s best game tonight. We’ve got four teams fighting to get to .500 and avoid a three-loss hole on this early season. Tune in for Facebook Live during both hours of games starting at 7:05. But for now, let’s predict how tonight’s action will shake out.

7 p.m. – BALLAHOLICS (1-2) vs. BLACK MAMBAS (1-2)

This may be the most exciting game of the week in Metrowest. The Ballaholics and Black Mambas square off with each team looking to reach .500 and avoid digging their hole any deeper. Two of Metrowest’s most fiery point guards and former teammates, Kevin Johnson (Ballaholics) and Jose Roman (Black Mambas), two of Boston’s best shooting guards, Nick Kineip (Ballaholics) and Arch Mitchell (Black Mambas), and two microwave scorers, Michael Perreault (Ballaholics) and Devon Frye (Black Mambas), all square off. So who’s the difference maker? Kenny Dennis. The Ballaholics don’t have the type of athlete capable of containing his energy. Expect KD to rack up double-digit rebounds and push the Black Mambas over the edge in a close contest.

PREDICTION: BLACK MAMBAS

7 p.m. – HUSTLE (1-2) vs. STAMPEDE (1-2)

Joel Katana isn’t walking through that door tomorrow and unfortunately for Hustle that may spell doom. Tambo Barrow and Drew Pettiford are two thirds of what could be a very talented backcourt, but neither is an elite scorer and neither is a distributor. Therefore, expect a stagnant offense as they face off against Tommy Hubbard and his retooled backcourt. Roger Hamel and Niko Whitehead’s added punch will have Stampede trampling over Hustle as Wally Callam and Jasper Landrum do their best to disrupt Tomas Morales’ dominance.

PREDICTION: STAMPEDE

8 p.m. – BUCKETS GALORE (3-0) vs. REBELS (2-1)

Two of Metrowest’s best square off in a prime-time matchup. Yemi Ajao’s squad seems unfazed by the competition and are confident Week 3 will be no different. Here’s why they may be justified in feeling that way: in Ajao, Jude Valmeus, Roland Millien and Josh Gates, Buckets Galore has four defenders capable of covering the Rebels’ prolific scorer, Shane Coleman. It’ll be a long night for the rookie. Whichever of their athletes isn’t on Coleman can harass Taylor Pettiford and Aaron Anniballi. The Rebels can hang and play with great tempo. But Buckets Galore is a matchup nightmare for them and it could get ugly.

PREDICTION: BUCKETS GALORE

8 p.m. – CLASSIC BARBERSHOP (3-0) vs. WARRIORS (0-3)

Re-creating chemistry may be a difficult task for Classic Barbershop as they replace Raynaldi Voyard with Jimmie Melton. But it won’t be an obstacle in getting their fourth win. Sam Longwell and Guy Pistone are the truth for the Warriors and we all know what John Iarussi brings to the table. But without Octavio Cruz in the lineup the past couple weeks, the team’s chemistry will be lacking even if the big man does show up. Expect big nights from Keyon Armstrong and Pat Luckett on the wings as this one turns into a fast-paced shootout.

PREDICTION: CLASSIC BARBERSHOP