Gerald and Lionel Go Ape in a Loaded Gilbert Vet
GILBERT VET: Week 2 Power Rankings
By Chris Walker | Arizona Regional Coordinator
Right away, Week 1, we saw just how loaded and intensely competitive Gilbert Vet is going to be this season, as three of four games were neck-and-neck right down to the last moments, with Lionel Pehoua’s Bring It and Dean Sherry’s Long Ballz jumping out as early threats to Adam Bickerstaff’s GOATS in their efforts to repeat as Vet State Champs. Let’s take a look at this week’s Power Rankings for a deeper breakdown.
1. GOATS (1-0)
Still undefeated across his full Vet career thus far, Rico Suggs and company claim the league’s top spot through one week, as he, pickpocket Chad Davis, & polished big Tony Darden made life a nightmare for 808’s & Backaches in Week 1. This week, we get to see Winter 2018 Vet rivals (and MVP finalists) Tyler Coston and Gabe Sandoval rekindle last year’s top vet rivalry, so we’ll get another look at what GOATS are made of.
2. Bring It (1-0)
Lionel and company truly locked DOWN Week 1, holding a potent Give ’n’ Go squad to a shockingly low 47 points. Donald Didlake looked reborn in the victory, with a huge And-1 play the exclamation point in what was a huge statement game for the OG point guard and his squad. They should get the momentum going stronger yet vs uptempo yet unpolished Gym Rats.
3. Long Ballz (1-0)
Fred Dudley will assure us these guys should be higher, and, considering they beat a tough Wolfpack with him absent past halftime, he may be right. Still, with all the talent this season, it’s absolutely a show and prove season, and there's no player I'd rather dare to prove it (and enjoy the popcorn matchup after such a dare) than Fred.
4. Ape Gang (1-0)
With Gerald not only doing his usual thing (point per year alive, up to 51 now) but getting max value out of both brothers, Jason "Philly" Harrison and Lavell Jones, all signs point to good things for these guys. Blue Stephens-that long-awaited banner season finally here?
5. Wolfpack (0-1)
Easily winning the sweepstakes for best "defeated" team after one week, Wolfpack was this writer's sleeper contender. While things didn't quite come together for them Week 1, this team is too deep not to get in the fight sooner than later, with size (Chris Allen, Garrie Ester) and shooting (Joel, David Braithwaite). Factor in Summer MVP Philip Johnson's return and these guys should work their way into the win column in a hurry.
6. 808's & Backaches (0-1)
Things were bumpy for these guys Week 1, losing to a shorthanded GOATS, but they showed great potential, nearly rallying for victory after big man Brian Smith's late arrival before some wild decisions & distrust broke them down late. Look for two-time Vet State Champs Smith and Donald Dangmuk to get things back together soon.
7. Gym Rats (0-1)
Jason Tollefson is likely expecting the bottom spot after a beating at Gerald's hands Week 1, but his squad was in the fight before giving the best shooter in the state at least a dozen uncontested jumpers and playing downtempo vs the league's two biggest. Faulty strategy aside, the hustle, grit, and good attitude needed to stay in the fight weekly were all there, giving these guys the edge over one squad.
8. Give 'n' Go (0-1)
An unlikely bottom dwellar after one week, GnG played terrific defense but looked positively anemic on offense, particularly for a team that boasts three of the very highest IQ (and thus, typically, resourceful) players in Vet in Brandon Walker, Jason Williams, and captain Tyler Coston. As Mike Harrison shared during the week, the team broke out none of the pick ' roll/give 'n' go, or really, any sort of ball/body movement, expected of them as preseason favorites. Look for Coach Harrison to tune things up going into Week 2.
Testing everybody's reading follow-through here…comment back on Facebook if you'd like some Predictions and I'll get those in as well.
Good luck and we'll see you all tonight!