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menuS3 GSB Playoff Preview: 1st Round
The S3 Gold Standard Basketball playoffs are upon us, and the matchups promise high drama and intense competition. Based on a poll of 22 GSB community members, here's a breakdown of what to expect as the top eight teams vie for the championship.
(1) Seattle Orcas vs (8) Portland Pioneers
The Seattle Orcas have been the dominant force all season, securing the top seed with an impressive 11-3 record and a 9 game winning streak to close out the season.. This powerhouse squad received 20 out of 22 votes from our poll, making them heavy favorites against the Portland Pioneers. Portland, however, isn’t ready to concede. With 2 votes of confidence, they hope to leverage their underdog status to stage a monumental upset against their divisional rivals. Expect Seattle’s balanced attack and stifling defense to be tested by Portland's gritty determination.
Squad Analysis
Seattle Orcas - Probably the most balanced team in the entire league, Seattle has no true weaknesses and sees contributions up and down the roster. Quan Wulong-Chi and Butch Harrison are the unlikely facilitators for this Orcas squad, both averaging 6+ APG which puts them in the top 10 for APG in the league. Oscar Oden is the top scorer for this team but also is a menace on defense, averaging 1.5 steals per game to go along with defensive stalwart Dub Stern and his 1.7 SPG. This Orcas team will be hard to beat.
Portland Pioneers - After making the GSB playoffs in season 2, it has been an up and down season for the Pioneers. After looking primed for a playoff spot early in the season, a little bit of luck saw the Pioneers make their way to the playoffs for the 3rd season straight. They face their divisional rivals in what will surely be a battle on the court. Portland is lead by Rae’Sean Carter, a true 3 level scorer, with newcomer Slimer Puffenstuff being the primary playmaker for this offense. Portland will need to lock in on both sides of the ball if they want to push Seattle to their limits.
Players To Watch
Butch Harrison - Oscar Oden - Rae’Sean Carter - Slimer Puffenstuff
(2) Ohio Shaman vs (7) Atlantic City Sea Dogs
This matchup may prove to be one of the most interesting of the first round as these two teams have seemingly developed a cross-divisional rivalry over the course of this past season. Ohio Shaman, boasting one of the most electrifying offenses in the league, garnered 16 votes from our community. After narrowly missing the playoffs in season 2, the Shaman surprised many GSB fans with their fast paced style, which has overwhelmed opponents all season. The Atlantic City Sea Dogs, despite receiving only 6 votes, possess a scrappy resilience. They’ll need to dig deep into their bag of tricks to outwit Ohio and keep their championship dreams alive. Look for Ohio to lean on their star players to maintain their edge, while Atlantic City aims to disrupt Ohio’s gameplan with some aggressive tactics of their own.
Squad Analysis
Ohio Shaman - While Ohio has seen meaningful contributions from several players, you can’t look past what Muddy Blunts has been doing for this Ohio offense this season. The league’s second best scorer in terms of PPG, Blunts averaged 21.4 points and 4.2 3PM per game, while also chipping in 6.5 assists as well. The league’s defenses have been scrambling all season to keep up with the sharpshooter who’s a favorite to win the league’s Most Improved Player award as well as potentially a MVP. Blunts is joined by a supporting cast including Elias Machera and Jordan Tribble, two strong defenders who have been key to a strong Ohio defense this season. The Shaman came out on top in a hard fought battle with the Sea Dogs earlier this season, and they’ve only gotten better since.
Atlantic City - In their first year as a rebranded team, the Sea Dogs have an intriguing roster. The duo of Javier Munoz and Hoe Jarris make for one of the best backcourt duos in GSB, with Jarris being a top 10 scorer and Munoz leading the league in assists, while both being top 10 in the league in steals. They’re also joined by center Truck Ackles, who’s been the team’s rock this season, securing boards and being one of the best interior defenders in the league. S1 top scorer Greg Lake and Ricky Spyder also provide meaningful contributions. This Sea Dogs team is eager to make a statement as a lower seed, but do they have the firepower and depth necessary to pull off the upset?
Players to Watch
Muddy Blunts - Elias Machera - Greg Lake - Ricky Spyder
(3) Kentucky Reserve vs (6) Baltimore Constellation
In the closest matchup according to our poll, the Kentucky Reserve edged out the Baltimore Constellation with 13 votes to 9. This series promises to be a nail-biter. Kentucky’s disciplined approach and solid fundamentals will clash with Baltimore's explosive playmaking ability. Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, and this series could very well go the distance. Key performances from unsung heroes might tip the balance in this tightly contested battle.
Squad Analysis
Kentucky Reserve - The Reserve are another team that made a complete 180° turn between last season and this one. Without a natural leader, Kentucky has seen several players step up to lead this team to the 3 seed. Known primarily as 3&D players going into the year, Josh Young 2.0 and Kobe Johnson are a big reason why the Reserve have improved so rapidly in just one season, leading their team in scoring along with Scottie B Peepin. On the other side of the court, the 3 headed beast of a frontcourt featuring Col E.H. Taylor, Bo Mambo, and rookie Angelo Roman, with all 3 providing at least 2.5 steals and blocks per game. Even while being 11-3, there’s still a feeling that the league doesn’t take Kentucky seriously. If they are able to defeat the Constellation, people should start to understand that the Reserve are legit.
Baltimore Constellation - Some major offseason personnel changes saw the Constellation’s roster revamped going into S3. The acquisition of 2x All-GSB Tim Riggins, along with his former Michigan teammates Jack Lawson and Ernesto Romero III, completely flipped the Constellation roster on its head, for the better. The Constellation spent most of the season as the #1 ranked team in GSB, thanks to their own backcourt duo of MVP hopefuls in Tim Riggins and Aldo Huxley. A high level is to be expected from Riggins, who averaged 21 PPG this season, but the performances we’ve seen from Aldo Huxley, joining from the Skyliners in the offseason, played just as crucial of a role for the Constellation this offseason. Huxley, who averaged 19.7 PPG, 6 APG, and 1.5 SPG is another favorite for Most Improved Player. These two are joined by Jack “Of All Trades” Lawson and arguably the best center in GSB, Jamal Davis. Don’t be fooled, the Constellation are a 6 seed, but their play is that of a top seed. This will be a great matchup to watch.
Players to Watch
Kobe Johnson - Col E.H. Taylor - Aldo Huxley - Jamal Davis
(4) Albuquerque Martians vs (5) Dallas Flying Stallions
In a surprising twist, the Dallas Flying Stallions are favored over the higher-seeded Albuquerque Martians, receiving 16 votes to Albuquerque's 6. Ending the season on a 9 game winning streak, the team’s hot finish to the season has made the league all but forget their awful start to the season. Despite their lower seeding, Dallas’s dynamic offense and tenacious defense make them a formidable opponent. Albuquerque, who have slowed down slightly at the end of the season after a hot first half, will need to execute flawlessly to counter Dallas's momentum. This series could pivot on in-game adjustments and tactical surprises, with Dallas looking to capitalize on their current form and Albuquerque aiming to outsmart them. Will Albuquerque be able to keep their effectiveness with the 3-ball, or will Dallas be able to slow them down and make their lives difficult? This series is shaping up to be very guard heavy with the majority of the stars on both teams being in the back court.
Squad Analysis
Albuquerque Martians - This Martians team looks completely different from the one that only won 3 games a season ago. Al Ingram is the man for this team, averaging 20.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game and is another candidate for both of the Most Improved and Most Valuable Player awards. Not to be outdone, Ingram is flanked by several capable sharpshooters in Jon Fowler, Jason peace, and Justin Banks. The Martians offense is dynamic and plays to their strengths, but it is their defense that will be tested in this battle with the Flying Stallions. Anthony Stover and Austin Weeler will need to hold down the paint and also rely on the Martians’ backcourt to do their job on defense as well.
Dallas Flying Stallions - The Flying Stallions come into this game as the lower seed, but if we were going on momentum alone, Dallas could very well be a one seed. This team has been playing with loads of confidence for the past couple of months and could be the most in-form team in the league. The offense is led by Kanin Abel, a MVP candidate for the 3rd year running and a dynamic scorer. He’s flanked by Che’rry Je’llo, who’s seen a major increase in responsibility since the departure of fan-favorite Toby Knerr, and has taken it in stride. The revitalized Je’llo has been a big part in the resurgence of the Flying Stallions and will play a big part in this series against a Martians team that has so many threats at the guard position. Jus Blaze has been one of the best forwards in GSB this season and is destined for individual honors, but they will be looking at him to make his mark on this series as well. Toss in the scoring prowess of spark plug 6MOY candidate Perry Pinkard, and this Dallas offense is extremely dangerous.
Conclusion
The GSB playoffs are set to deliver captivating storylines and edge-of-your-seat action. While the top seeds Seattle and Ohio are favored to advance, the potential for upsets and the razor-thin margin between Kentucky and Baltimore ensure that nothing is guaranteed. Dallas’s rise as a dark horse adds an extra layer of intrigue, promising fans an unforgettable postseason.