SUMMERLIN OPEN:  WEEK 3 Power Rankings

By L.C. Comine | Summerlin Media Associate

1.  BTE (2-0)

The two-time defending champs had it clicking on all cylinders last week as they won their 19th straight game and defeated Street(er) Fighters 105-77.  It was the usual performance from BTE: Get up by over 20 at halftime and put it on cruise control in the second half.  Jordan Cannon scored 39 points to lead BTE. Andre McFarland had an impressive triple-double with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.  Edward Vaughns also had 22 for BTE.  BTE’s chemistry has not wavered at all and this week they should win their 20th game in a row as they face the Free Agents.  It’s going to take a lot to beat this team this season and I think there may be only one team that has a legit shot.

2.  Villains (1-0)

Well the new look Villains did not disappoint in their first game of the season as they came from behind to defeat Livin’ The Dream 87-79.  It was quite the debut for the newcomers the Villains had on the court.  Marcus Wilson, making his return to the open league, Villains’ debut looked good, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.  Reese Gneiting scored 11 points and had 10 boards in his UH debut, and Will Hopkins had 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals in his debut.  But the star for the Villains this week was Juan Carter, who hit big shot after big shot down the stretch to lead the Villains to victory.  Carter had 20 points which included six clutch 3s, most of them down the stretch.  Dreu Johnson did a tremendous job leading this team with Chase Skinkis out with an injury.  This team should get Hollis Hale in the lineup this week and Skinkis should be back by midseason.  This week they have a formidable opponent in Street(er) Fighters and they will have to bring the same energy they did a week ago.

3.  Livin’ The Dream (1-1)

Boy did Dream want that game last week against the Villains?  Dream seemed to have some early momentum but they could not sustain it and just like all the previous meetings have gone against them, the Villains prevailed 87-79.  For the second week in a row the duo of Josh McCarver and Lamond Murray looked unstoppable.  Murray scored 35 points and knocked down six 3s before fouling out, while McCarver had 18 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.  Ben Carey also had 18 points from Dream.   There is no question this squad is light years better than it has been in seasons’ past, but they have to get more consistent guard play if they want to get over the top in this league.  I have said it for two weeks now and this week the guards shot 3-28 from three and 10-38 from he field for the game.  If they can just get some consistency to go along with Murray and McCarver then Dream may be considered among the elite in this league.

4.  Street(er) Fighters (1-1)

The team with the best name in the league got roughed up by the champs last week but let’s be honest, who hasn’t in the last two seasons?  The Fighters fell behind by 23 at halftime and could not recover and BTE rolled to victory 105-77.  Nathaniel Burgess scored 18 points, Jamaal Thompson, Mihail Kocevski, and Grant Lewis all had 14 as well.  The Fighters held the rebounding edge over 44-37 but what did them in was their 38 percent shooting from the field.  This team is much better than this game will end up showing and I am guessing they will be ready to go this week and show they can compete with any team in the open league.  They have the players and the experience now they just have to put it all together.  This week they get that chance against the Villains.

5.  Free Agents (0-1)

Free Agents had a Week 2 bye and they will look to bounce back after their Week 1 loss to Street(er) Fighters against the juggernaut we call BTE.  It's going to be a long season but I know they will compete and do whatever they can to pull an upset here or there.

Predictions

Last week:  1-0-1

Season: 1-0-1

6:30 p.m.- Free Agents vs. BTE | BTE -31.5

7:30 p.m.- Street(er) Fighters vs. Villains |  Street(er) Fighters +14.5

Bye Week:  Livin’ The Dream